Kulak was a fourth-round pick (No.105 overall) in 2012 and has appeared in 101 career NHL games with the Flames. The 24-year-old is coming off of a season in which he scored just two goals and six assists (eight points) across 71 games.
Crawford returned to practice on Monday and head coach Joel Quenneville said that Crawford has been medically cleared to play and now he just “has to get ready to play.” It remains to be seen when Crawford will play, but this is an excellent development.
Bergeron got rid of his non-contact jersey during Monday’s practice and centred the top line with Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak on his wings. After the session, head coach Bruce Cassidy said he “anticipates [Bergeron] will be good to go for Wednesday.” Bergeron missed 18 games last season, but was on-pace for a career-high in goals (38) and points (80). A healthy season on a dominant Bruins’ top line could make Bergeron a point-per-game player in 2019.
Darling was hurt in the Hurricanes’ preseason finale and is questionable for the start of the season thanks to a lower-body ailment. The Hurricanes will turn to Petr Mrazek if Darling misses any time. This is a tough start to the season for the 29-year-old, who will look to improve after a disastrous debut season in Carolina—3.18 GAA and .888 SV% in 43 starts.
Krug suffered an ankle injury in the Bruins preseason finale and will be in a walking boot for three weeks. Krug will be re-evaluated after that period of time and his injury could leave the door open for rookie Urho Vaakanainen to make the opening night roster.
Eakin has missed the last week of training camp with a lower-body injury and has been moved to injured reserve to create an open roster spot for a healthy skater. With Eakin expected to miss the start of the season, Ryan Carpenter or Oscar Lindberg will centre the Golden Knights’ third line.
Murray’s move to IR is retroactive to September 18th. Murray will miss the start of the regular season, leaving a spot open for defensemen Dean Kukan and Scott Harrington to slot in. Murray has had a tough time staying healthy throughout his career and is coming off of a year in which he played just 44 games—picking up 12 points (1G / 11A).
Shaw was expected to miss the first couple of weeks of the 2018-19 season, but told reporters that he is ready to play in the Canadiens season opener on Wednesday. There’s no indication where Shaw will slot into the Canadiens’ lineup, but he doesn’t come with any fantasy upside.
Kucherov has been dealing with a lower-body but he was in practice on Monday and head coach Jon Cooper is “optimistic” that Kucherov will be ready to go for their October 6th opener against the Panthers.
Johnson has been dealing with an upper-body injury throughout the preseason and could miss the Lightning’s opener vs. the Panthers on Saturday. With Johnson out during Monday’s practice, Mathieu Joseph skated in his spot on the third line.
Carrick lost out to Igor Ozhiganov, Justin Holl and Martin Marincin in training camp, so the Maple Leafs get a draft instead of losing him for nothin on waivers. The 24-year-old had 12 points (4G / 8A) in 47 games with the Maple Leafs last season and should push for a spot on the Stars’ third pairing. The seventh round pick will turn into a sixth round pick if he plays in 50 games with the Stars this season.
Jones has been moved to IR retroactive to September 25th and is expected to be out until at least late-October. Jones has been given a 4-6 week timetable and should become a sleeper as he drops down fantasy boards this week. The 23-year-old will look to build off of a career-best 57 points (16G / 41A) in 78 games. Zach Werenski will eat up massive minutes at even-strength and the top power-play while Jones is out.
Sparks has won the backup job in Toronto, sending Curtis McElhinney to waivers. The 25-year-old had an outstanding season with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), going 31-9-1 with a 1.79 GAA, .936 SV% and six shutouts. The Maple Leafs like to lean heavily on Frederik Andersen, so Sparks likely won’t see more than 20 starts this season.
Crawford took to the ice with his teammates for the first time since February 12th, when he started feeling the vertigo-like symptoms. This is a big step forward for the Blackhawks’ netminder, who has been one of the most consistent netminders in the NHL over the last six years—he has posted a 2.31 GAA and .922 SV% over that stretch. Crawford likely won’t be ready for the start of the season, leaving the starting duties to Cam Ward, but Crawford appears on track to be back at some point in October.
Aberg picked up eight points (2G / 6A) in 16 games with the Oilers after being claimed from Nashville. The 25-year-old has registered just 18 points (5G / 13A) in 68 career NHL games. He landed on waivers after the emergence of Ty Rattie and Kailer Yamamoto in training camp and heads to Anaheim, who lost Corey Perry to knee surgery in the preseason.
Krug was forced to leave the Bruins’ final preseason game with a lower-body injury, but head coach Bruce Cassidy did not have an update on his status. Consider Krug day-to-day until the Bruins release an official timetable. This puts his status for the Bruins’ season-opener in jeopardy.
Brown was injured in the Kings’ final preseason game after being hit by a shot from teammate Anze Kopitar. Brown left the game and did not return for the third period. With Brown out, the Kings have a hole next to Kopitar on the top-line, a spot that will likely be filled by Ilya Kovalchuk.
Hartnell played for 17 seasons, totalling 327 goals and 380 assists (707 points) across 1,249 career regular season games. Hartnell was originally drafted No.6 overall by the Nashville Predators in 2000 and went on to play six seasons there before suiting up for the Flyers, Blue Jackets and then ultimately back in Nashville for his final season.
Jerabek had just two goals and six assists across 36 games with the Canadiens and Capitals during his first season in the NHL in 2017-18. The 27-year-old defenseman heads to St. Louis where he is sure to be a depth piece on an already talented blueline. The draft pick that the Oilers received becomes a fifth round pick if Jerabek appears in 50-plus regular season games with the Blues this season.
