NHL Hockey Player News

Foligno was absolutely blasted by a John Hayden haymaker in a fight last night and may have suffered a facial fracture. Foligno could miss some time beyond Saturday’s game vs. Columbus.

Niederreiter left Thursday’s game after playing 13:12 TOI after sustaining what is believed to be an ankle injury. Niederreiter got tangled up with Blackhawks’ forward Tanner Kero and will miss at least Saturday’s game vs. Columbus. The Wild also lost Marcus Foligno and Charlie Coyle last night, so they’re banged up heading into Saturday.

Coyle was hit by a shot in Thursday’s win over the Blackhawks and has already been ruled out for Saturday’s contest. The Wild are extremely banged up up front with Coyle joining Zach Parise, Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter and Marcus Foligno in the press box.

Kunin, 19, was the No.15 overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft and comes up looking to make his NHL debut this weekend. Kunin turned pro at the end of last season after two years at the University of Wisconsin. In 14 AHL games, Kunin has six goals and four assists (10 points).

Blais had a really strong training camp and was a surprise cut from the opening night roster. Upon his return to the AHL, the 21-year-old winger posted three goals and one assist (four points) in two games with San Antonio. Look for him to make his NHL debut on Saturday.

Thompson had no points, three shots, five hits and a minus-3 rating in his first four games and served as a healthy scratch on Tuesday. The 6-foot-5, 186 lbs. winger will swap spots with Sam Blais and go to the AHL where he had one goal and one assist in 16 games last season.

van Riemsdyk was sidelined by a concussion in the season opener and is expected to miss at least the next four games as the Hurricanes head out to western Canada. Look for Carolina to recall a defenseman from Charlotte (AHL) to serve as a seventh defenseman.

Stafford was on the ice for Friday’s morning skate, but skated as an extra and will not play vs. the Capitals tonight. However, head coach John Hynes said that Stafford is a possibility to play on Saturday.

Grubauer allowed four goals on 40 shots in the Capitals’ overtime loss in Tampa Bay on Monday. Grubauer was a busy man in his season debut and could be the same again tonight as he faces a Flyers team that is tied for 13th in shots on goal per game (33.3) so far this season. Grubauer is one of the best spot-start options in the NHL and that doesn’t change tonight.

Holtby allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Capitals’ 3-2 loss to the Penguins on Wednesday. It was Holtby’s first loss of the season and he’s now 2-1-0 with a 2.62 GAA and .925 SV% through three starts. Holtby will split the Capitals’ back-to-back on Friday/Saturday with Philipp Grubauer, drawing the Devils on Friday—they are 3-0-0 with 5.33 goals for per game.

Fiore,21, failed to record a point in his NHL debut during his brief call-up. Fiore has yet to appear in a game with San Diego this season and joins the AHL after posting 52 goals and 38 assists (90 points) in 61 games with Cape Breton (QMJHL).

Wilson missed the first four games of the season because of a suspension he earned in the preseason. He will draw into the lineup on the third line with Lars Eller and Brett Conolly and comes into this season after posting 19 points (7G / 12A), 95 shots and 239 hits last year.

Mueller has recorded one assist while averaging 18:48 TOI/GM through the first three games of the season. He’ll come out of the lineup tonight to allow Dalton Prout to draw into the lineup for the first time this season.

Prout served as a healthy scratch in the Devils’ first three games of the season, but will replace Mirco Mueller in the lineup on Friday. Prout had six assists, 44 hits and 24 blocked shots in 29 games last season.

Dalpe has not recorded a point in his first two games of the season and was a healthy scratch in the Blue Jackets last contest. Tonight he will replace Markus Hannikainen in the lineup vs. the Rangers.

Hannikainen made a costly mistake at the end of Tuesday’s overtime win in Carolina, but head coach John Tortorella said that it’s not related to that but that Zac Dalpe needs to play.

Elliott allowed six goals on 31 shots in the Flyers’ 6-5 loss in Nashville on Tuesday. Despite the rough outing, it looks like Philadelphia will come back to Elliott tonight vs. the Capitals. Through his first three starts, the veteran has gone 2-1-0 with a 3.67 GAA and .876 SV%. Tonight he faces a Capitals team that is 3-1-1 with 4.00 goals for per game.

Schlemko has missed the first four games of the season with a hand injury that he suffered in the preseason. Schlemko will be a welcomed addition to the Canadiens’ blueline when he is healthy, but he’ll get at least one game in Laval before making his debut. Schlemko had two goals and 16 assists (18 points) in 62 games with San Jose last season.

Carrick missed the last two games with a minor upper-body injury, but was skating on the third pairing at Friday’s practice which suggests that he will play tomorrow. Carrick has one assist and two shots in 15:02 TOI/GM through two games this season.