Dal Colle was selected fifth overall in 2014 but has struggled to get things going during his pro career. The 22-year-old had 80 points (35G / 45A) in his final OHL season, but has just 22 goals and 43 assists (65 points) in 138 career AHL games since turning pro.
The other Sebastian Aho had four points (1G /3A) in 22 games with the Islanders last season but will start this year in the AHL. Aho was beat out by Devon Toews during training camp but will likely be their first D call-up when needed.
Bellows was the No.19 overall pick in 2016 and enjoyed a solid preseason, but will start the season with Bridgeport. Bellows enjoyed a great year in Portland (WHL) last year, collecting 74 points (41G / 33A) in 56 games. Bellows and/or Josh Ho-Sang will likely be the first forwards called-up from the AHL.
Ho-Sang, 22, was expected to crack the Islanders’ rebuilding roster to start the season, but will once again start the year in Bridgeport (AHL). The 2014 first-round pick (No.28 overall) had 31 points (8G / 23A) in 50 AHL games a season ago and has complied 22 points (6G / 16A) in 43 career NHL games. He will likely be one of the first forward call-ups for the Islanders this season.
Schneider continues to workout on-ice nearly every day as he works his from May hip surgery. The Devils are easing their workhorse netminder back into action but there is no firm timetable for when he can start a game. If Schneider is out to start the season, they will turn to Keith Kinkaid until he is ready.
Green has been dealing with fatigue, so he will visit a specialist to figure out what he’s dealing with. The Red Wings are expected to know more in a few days, but don’t expect to see Green on their blueline on opening night. This is huge blow to an already terrible Detroit D-corps.
MacDonald was originally expected to miss the first two weeks of the regular season, but GM Ron Hextall said he was progressing ahead of schedule. MacDonald doesn’t carry a lot of fantasy value, but plays a key role on the Flyers’ blueline—he averaged 19:51 TOI in 66 games last year while playing with Ivan Provorov.
Sanheim is dealing with a minor shoulder injury that he suffered last weekend. The Flyers are keeping their young defenseman off of the ice for one-week as precaution, but expect him back next week. The 22-year-old defenseman is expected to play on the Flyers’ third-pairing this season after posting 10 points (2G / 8A) in 49 games with them last season.
Sheary will miss the rest of the preseason but the Sabres expect their new winger to be ready for the first game of the season vs. the Bruins (Oct. 4). Sheary was projected to play in the Sabres’ top-6, but this injury could lead to him playing in the bottom-6 to start the season. Sheary will need to play with Jack Eichel or Casey Mittelstadt if he’s going to have any fantasy value this season.
Reinhart is coming off of the best season of his career, posting 50 points (25G / 25A) in 82 games. He has increased his point totals in each of first three seasons in the NHL and is poised to do that again in 2018-19. The Sabres beefed up Reinhart’s surrounding cast and he projects to be a top-6 winger with either Jack Eichel or Casey Mittelstadt.
