NHL Hockey Player News

Elliott always split time in his five years with the Blues, never starting more than 45 games in a single year, but that will likely change this year. Elliott is now the Flames’ No.1 and should start close to 55-to-60 games. In the last five years, he has gone 164-104-46 while ranking first in the NHL in GAA (2.01) and second in SV% (.925). He draws a tough assignment on opening night, vs. Connor McDavid and an improved Oilers squad.

Gunnarsson will be replaced by Robert Bortuzzo in Wednesday’s season opener in Chicago. Gunnarsson is not a fantasy asset, having registered just nine points (3G / 6A) in 72 games a season ago.

Luongo underwent hip surgery six months ago, but is set to start the Panthers’ season opener vs. the Devils. Luongo appeared in 62 games last season, winning 35 games with a 2.35 GAA and .922 SV%. He will likely start fewer games this season with James Reimer in town, but remains a borderline No.1 fantasy netminder. Luongo should make for a strong start on Thursday against a Devils offence that should be improved, but still below average.

Helgeson, 26, appeared in just 19 games with the Devils last year, so it isn’t surprising to see him heading to Albany to start the year. Last year he had seven points (2G / 5A) in 42 AHL games.

Czarnik suffered a concussion in the preseason on a hit from Flyers’ defenseman Radko Gudas—a hit that got him suspended for six games. Czarnik will centre the Bruins’ third line with Matt Beleskey on his left and Jimmy Hayes on his right wing.

Crosby took part in parts of the Penguins’ practice on Wednesday, albeit in a non-contact sweater. Crosby will miss the first game of the year, but his availability this morning is encouraging and suggests that he won’t miss an extended period of time.

Klein underwent an MRI on his back that showed a strain. Klein is listed as day-to-day and will miss the season opener on Thursday. With Klein out, look for Skjei to get into the lineup.

Okposo has been trying to work his way back from a bruised knee he suffered in the preseason, but he wasn’t on the ice for Wednesday’s practice and will miss Thursday’s game. Consider him day-to-day and monitor his status prior to Sunday’s game in Edmonton.

With Carey Price (illness) out for the season opener, Lindgren comes up from St. John’s to backup Al Montoya on Thursday. Lindgren won his NHL debut last year and posted a 30-9-1 record, 2.13 GAA and .925 SV% with St. Cloud State (NCHC) before signing with the Habs.

Eichel’s leg bent backwards awkwardly and had to be helped off of the ice and appeared to be a serious amount of pain. All signs are pointing towards Eichel missing some time, but there likely won’t be an update until later today. Consider him doubtful for Thursday’s season opener.

Rust has been skating on his own, but finally got back into practice on Wednesday. With Sidney Crosby likely out of the season opener with a concussion, the Penguins could use Rust back in the lineup, but that seems unlikely at this point. Consider him day-to-day.

Miller had to get surgery to repair a broken bone in his left hand and will miss the first six weeks of the regular season. With Miller out, Brandon Carlo is expected to take his spot next to Zdeno Chara.

Bergeron was held off of the ice during the Bruins’ practice on Wednesday and will miss their season opener on Thursday. With Bergeron out, David Backes will shift to centre and take his spot between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. Bergeron is listed as day-to-day.

Montoya will make his Canadiens’ debut on Thursday in Buffalo. No one expected his debut to come in the season opener, but with Carey Price staying back in Montreal with an illness, Montoya gets the nod vs. the Sabres. The veteran netminder had 12 wins with a 2.18 GAA and .919 SV% as Roberto Luongo’s backup last season and makes for a cheap daily start on Thursday. The Sabres will be without Jack Eichel (ankle) and Kyle Okposo (knee).

Price has been fighting a virus, but all signs were pointing towards him being ready for the season opener on Thursday. He missed Wednesday’s practice and will not travel to Buffalo for Thursday’s game. Look for Al Montoya to start and consider Price as day-to-day.

Last year Andersen had 22 wins with a 2.30 GAA and .919 SV% with the Ducks, but was traded to Toronto this season, where he will be leaned on to solidify the Maple Leafs’ crease. Andersen has a career. 918 SV% in 125 career games with Anaheim, but he will find it tougher sledding behind the Maple Leafs in 2016-17. Andersen enters the season as a solid No.2 fantasy option and makes for a solid season opening start in Ottawa.

With Ondrej Pavelec in Manitoba (AHL), Hutchinson will split time with Connor Hellebuyck in the Jets’ crease in 2016-17. Hutchinson will start the season opener vs. the Hurricanes as he looks to bounce-back from a tough 2015-16 season. Hutchinson won just nine games while posting a 2.84 GAA and .907 SV% in 30 games. The 26-year-old was more successful on home-ice, going 3-3-2 with a 2.64 GA and .913 SV% in six starts and three relief appearances at the MTS Centre.

Crawford has won at least 30 games in ever full season since becoming the Blackhawks’ starter in 2010-11, so don’t expect anything change in 2016-17. Crawford carries a career .918 SV%, but has posted a .924 over the last two seasons. Tonight he gets the nod on home ice, where he was 20-9-2 with a 1.85 GAA, .940 SV% and seven shutouts last season.

Last year Anderson started 60 games for the first time since 2011-12 and won 30 games for just there second time in his career. The 35-year-old posted a 2.78 GAA and .918 SV%, which are very close to his career splits (2.73 GAA / .915 SV%). On paper the Senators don’t look any better than they did last year, so don’t expect much improvement from Anderson. He will get his season started against a Maple Leafs team he was 3-0-0 against last year.

Grossmann was with the Flames on a professional tryout and made the team as a depth defenseman. Grossmann spent last season with the Coyotes where he had seven points (3G / 4A) in 58 games. He will not have any fantasy relevance in 2016-17.