The Bruins announced that Backes was “under the weather” and missed Wednesday’s practice session as a result. This obviously puts his status for Thursday’s game in question, but monitor his availability during the morning skate.
Kronwall was in and out of practice during training with a groin injury, but was back on the ice on Wednesday and said he thinks he will play on Thursday. Kronwall was paired with Mike Green in Wednesday’s session, but he is too injury prone at this point in his career to have any fantasy value.
After taking over as the Blues’ No.1 last season, Allen stumbled through the first four months of the season. However, the 27-year-old finished strong down the stretch, ranking third in the NHL in wins (16), GAA (1.93) and SV% (.935) from February on. Allen was also strong in the playoffs and will look to pickup where he left-off tonight in Pittsburgh.
Anderson had a tough year off of the ice due to his wife’s health concerns, but played exceptionally well when he was with the Senators in 2016-17. However, year-to-year consistency has routinely been something that has escaped Anderson as he enters his seventh full-season with the Senators. His first test of the season will come against a Capitals team that ranked third in the NHL in scoring last year and figure to be close to as powerful this season.
Brown, 19, was the No.11 overall pick in 2016 and is coming off of a year in which he had 40 points (14G / 26A) in 35 games with Windsor (OHL). Brown cracked the opening night roster thanks to a preseason injury to fellow centre Colin White, but he won’t carry a lot of fantasy value as he’s expected to start on the fourth line, but should see some PP time.
After missing the majority of the preseason while rehabbing his surgically repaired shoulder, Brassard is ready to go for Thursday. Brassard had a disappointing debut season in Ottawa, picking up just 39 points (14G / 25A) in 81 games. He was a lot strong in the playoffs, so look for him to get back to his 20-goal, 30-40 assist pace from his Ranger days.
Chiasson, 27, spent last year in Calgary after two years in Ottawa and had 12 goals and 12 assists (24 points) in 81 games. Chiasson will make his Capitals debut on the third line while Tom Wilson is suspended.
Redmond split the 2016-17 season between the AHL and NHL. He had five assists in 16 games with the Canadiens and 18 points (4G / 14A) in 26 contests with the St. John’s IceCaps (AHL). He is nothing more than an AHL D-man or seventh/depth defenseman for the Sabres.
Deslauriers is a bruising winger who appeared in 42 games with the Sabres last season, picking up just two assists and 38 PIMS. He is a depth forward for the Canadiens.
Krug, who has missed time after taking a puck to the face in the preseason, was placed on IR on Tuesday but practiced in a non-contact sweater on Wednesday. Look for Krug to be sidelined for at least another week.
Bergeron left Tuesday’s practice early and wasn’t available for Wednesday’s session, which puts his status for the season opener in doubt. With Bergeron off of the ice, Ryan Spooner skated with Brad Marchand and Anders Bjork.
This doesn’t come as a surprise as White was given a 6-8 week timetable after fracturing his wrist in the preseason. With White out, Logan Brown will get a taste of the NHL.
Andersen was great in his first season in Toronto, winning 33 games with a 2.67 GAA and .918 SV%, all while playing behind a Maple Leafs team that gave up the third most shots in the NHL. They are a fast paced, high octane squad so expect him to be equally busy this season, but the offence will give a lot of goal support and opportunities for wins. The opening night matchup with the Jets is a rough one—Winnipeg was seventh in the NHL in scoring last year (3.00 GF/PG).
Forsling, 21, was “sent down” yesterday as a paper transaction to get under the salary cap ceiling before they put Marian Hossa on LTIR. In 2016-17, Forsling split time between the NHL and AHL, collecting five points (2G / 3A) in 38 games with the Blackhawks. He is expected to open this season on the Blackhawks’ third pair.
DeBrincat, 19, was “sent down” yesterday as a paper transaction to get under the salary cap ceiling before they put Marian Hossa on LTIR. The 2016 No.39 pick had 127 points (65G / 62A) in 63 games with Erie (OHL) last season and is expected to open the 2017-18 season on either the second or third line.
Murray has two Stanley Cups in two seasons, not a bad start to a career. With Marc-Andre Fleury now in Vegas, the Penguins’ crease belongs to Murray. He has just 60 career regular season starts, but could see close to that number in his third season. Murray has a career 2.32 GAA and .925 SV%, making him a strong No.1 fantasy option and his team makes him a candidate for the NHL-lead in wins.
Despite skating as a regular throughout the last few practices, the return of Andrew Copp will push Petan to the press box on opening night. The 22-year-old had just 13 points (1G / 12A) in 54 games last year, spending most of it on the fourth line with Chris Thorburn.
Following four and a half seasons in Philadelphia, Mason signed with the Jets this offseason and will hope to improve on his 2.66 GAA and .908 SV% from a year ago. Winnipeg ranked 27th in the NHL in goals against last season, so they will need much better goaltending if they want to be a playoff team this year. Mason draws a brutal matchup for his Jets debut as he goes up against the Maple Leafs, who were fifth in the NHL in scoring last year.
The Blackhawks had to wait until they moved Marian Hossa to LTIR to announce the deal, but they bring Franson to join a mostly inexperienced blueline. Franson spent the last two seasons with the Sabres, where he had five goals and 19 assists (24 points) per 82 games, but missed a combined 37 games. His value will hinge on how much power-play time he gets in Chicago.
Ehlers is entering the final year of a three-year deal, so this new deal won’t kick in until 2018-19 and it runs through the 2024-25 season. The 21-year-old is coming off of a great sophomore campaign, having collected 25 goals and 39 assists (64 points) in 82 games. Ehlers is positioned for another great year as he’s poised to start the season with Patrik Laine and Bryan Little.
