NHL Hockey Player News

Johnson had two assists in his first six career NHL games with the Penguins last season. The 25-year-old centre had two assists in his season debut with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this year. He will take Alex Galchenyuk’s spot on the roster.

Galchenyuk aggravated a prior injury according to head coach Mike Sullivan. His movement to IR means he will miss at least one week. The Penguins recalled Adam Johnson from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to take Galchenyuk’s spot on the roster.

Marleau was sitting, waiting for a contract before inking a one-year deal with the Sharks late last night. He was at Wednesday’s practice skating on the top line with Logan Couture and Timo Meier, so he could have some punt value in daily contests. He had 16 goals on 161 shots (9.9 SH%) and 21 assists (37 points) in 82 games a season ago.

Dell gave up three goals on 33 shots in the Sharks 3-1 loss in Anaheim last Saturday. It has been an inauspicious start for Dell and Martin Jones, who have given up a combined 16 goals on 121 shots (.868 SV%) through four games. Dell was 7-5-3 with a 3.55 GAA and .875 SV% on the road last season.

Markstrom allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Canucks loss in Calgary on Saturday. Markstrom has given up five goals on 51 shots (.902 SV%) through two starts and sits at 0-2-0 coming into Wednesday’s game. Tonight he faces a Kings team coming off of a win in Calgary last night—Markstrom was 2-0-1 with a 2.26 GAA and .918 SV% in three games vs. Los Angeles last year.

Schneider allowed two goals on 21 shots before leaving the Devils season opener with lower-body cramping. MacKenzie Blackwood ended up blowing the lead in that game and giving up seven goals in Buffalo, so they’ll come back to Schneider tonight in Philadelphia. Schneider was an ugly 2-10-1 with a 3.68 GAA and .889 SV% on the road last year.

Eakin has missed the first three games of the season with an undisclosed injury but returned to practice in a non-contact jersey on Wednesday. This is a step in the right direction for Eakin, who will likely be cleared for contact in the coming days.

Cole skated on the third pair at Wednesday’s practice and has officially been cleared to play. However, head coach Jared Bednar said they haven’t made a decision on whether or not he will play vs. the Bruins.

Wilson didn’t make his preseason debut until September 28th so he sat out the first two games to get up to speed. With J.T. Compher out with a lower-body injury, Wilson will draw onto Colorado’s third line with Tyson Jost and Matt Nieto. The 29-year-old had 12 goals and 15 assists (27 points) in 65 games last year.

Compher missed Wednesday’s practice and head coach Jared Bednar told reporters that he hasn’t skated in four days. Compher will be replaced by Colin Wilson, who will make his season debut on the third line vs. the Bruins.

Galchenyuk was missing from Wednesday’s practice, putting his status for Thursday’s game in question. Head coach Mike Sullivan said that Galchenyuk aggravated a prior ailment. If he misses Thursday’s game, the Penguins will likely be without four of their top-9 forwards (Galchenyuk, Evgeni Malkin, Patric Hornqvist and Nick Bjugstad).

Markstrom allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Canucks loss in Calgary on Saturday. Markstrom has given up five goals on 51 shots (.902 SV%) through two starts and sits at 0-2-0 coming into Wednesday’s game. Tonight he faces a Kings team coming off of a win in Calgary last night—Markstrom was 2-0-1 with a 2.26 GAA and .918 SV% in three games vs. Los Angeles last year.

Hornqvist was drilled by a Kris Letang slap-shot on Tuesday night, left the game and did not return. Missing Wednesday’s practice is not a good sign for Hornqvist’s availability for Thursday’s game vs. the Ducks.

Nilsson came over from the Canucks last season, going 11-11-0 with a 2.90 GAA, .914 SV% and two shutouts in 22 starts with the Senators. Nilsson drastically outplayed Craig Anderson after the trade and should see a good portion of the starts this season. He isn’t a safe option on Thursday but he did have a 35-save shutout against the Blues last March.

After five years with the Devils, Kinkaid signed with the Canadiens this summer and will serve as Carey Price’s backup. The 30-year-old netminder has started 38 games in the last two seasons, going 41-28-9 with a 3.07 GAA and .902 SV% during that span. He’ll make his Montreal debut against a Sabres team that is 2-0-1 while averaging 4.33 goals for per game so far.

Nogier was recalled prior to Tuesday’s game as an extra defenseman. His return to Manitoba suggests that Josh Morrissey will be available for Thursday’s game.

Hutton allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Sabres win over the Devils on Saturday. Linus Ullmark started Monday’s overtime loss in Columbus, so Hutton comes into Wednesday’s game well-rested. Hutton has started the year 2-0 while stopping 46 of the 49 shots (.939 SV%) that he has faced thus far. The 33-year-old has gone 14-9-2 in his last 25 starts in Buffalo.