Sopel, 38, played for six different teams throughout his NHL career from 1998-2011 and was a member of the Blackhawks’ 2010 Stanley Cup championship team. He had 44 goals, 174 assists and was a plus-32 in 659 NHL career regular-season games. He also spent three seasons in the KHL and played in 29 games for the Chicago Wolves in the AHL this season.
Lehtonen allowed seven goals on 36 shots in the Stars 7-6 OT loss to the Red Wings last Saturday. He missed Tuesday’s game with an undisclosed injury, but will be back in goal tonight vs. the Avalanche. He has gone 0-1-1 with a 2.91 GAA and .889 SV% in his first two starts against Colorado.
Tinordi had just one shot on goal in four games during his recall. His return to the AHL suggests that Sergei Gonchar will return to the lineup on Saturday. It also says that Greg Pateryn has leaped over Tinordi on the depth chart.
Staal missed the Hurricanes morning skate, but he is expected to be in the lineup tonight. Coach Bill Peters said that Staal is battling a “minor” illness. Staal has one goal, three assists and 16 shots in his last four games.
Fraser has served as a healthy scratch in the last seven games, but will play tonight vs. Boston. Fraser has registered two assists and 26 PIMS in 14 games with the Devils this season.
Hedman left Thursday’s practice early with an undisclosed injury, but he was on the ice for today’s morning skate and said that he is good to go tonight vs. the Blackhawks. Hedman has three assists in his last four games.
Giordano is still being evaluated, but he will be held out of tonight’s game. The Flames fear he may miss a significant amount of time, but there has been no official word on the nature or severity of their captains injury. Tyler Wotherspoon and Corey Potter have been recalled and one of them will step in for Gio.
Bishop allowed two goals on 24 shots in the Lightning’s win in Arizona last Saturday. He was given Sunday off, but will start tonight vs. Chicago. Bishop has been victorious in his last three starts, while posting a 1.67 GAA and .940 SV%. He catches a break tonight with Patrick Kane out for the Blackhawks.
Halak allowed three goals on 23 shots in the Islanders loss to the Canucks on Sunday. Halak has had a so-so month, going 6-3-0 with a 2.78 GAA and .904 SV% in nine February starts. In his first start vs. Calgary, he made 22 saves in a 2-1 win early in January.
Gomez woke up with the flu this morning and was not on the ice for the Devils’ morning skate. He is listed as “very questionable” for tonight’s game, which means that Michael Ryder should get back into the lineup.
With Dion Phaneuf returning to the lineup on Thursday, Granberg’s services are no longer needed, so he has been reassigned to the Marlies.
Mark Giordano was injured on Wednesday and the Flames fear he could miss a significant amount of time. While Giordano is still being evaluated, the Flames have recalled Tyler Wotherspoon as insurance for their captain.
Dubinsky was injured after scoring a goal in his second shift of the game. After the game, head coach Todd Richards offered no update on Dubinsky’s status. Expect an update in the next 24-hours.
Schneider allowed two goal on 25 shots in the Devils 3-1 loss to the Flames on Wednesday. Schneider is 5-4-0 with a 1.59 GAA and .946 SV% in the month of February. Tonight will be his third start vs. the Bruins—he is 0-2-0 with a 3.11 GAA and .908 SV% in the first two meetings.
Niemi allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Sharks loss to the Kings in their Stadium Series games last Saturday. He has gone 3-4-2 with a 2.98 GAA and .909 SV% in February. Tonight he will face a Red Wings team who have run into some inconsistency issues lately—Detroit has lost five of their last seven.
Quick stopped all 20 shots that he faced in the Kings 1-0 shutout win over the Red Wings on Tuesday. Look at Quick go…He has now won eight consecutive games, while posting an outstanding 1.63 GAA and .940 SV%. He will take on the Senators at the STAPLES Center—he has gone 18-5-5 with a 2.11 GAA and .921 SV% at home.
Horton’s career could be over because of a debilitating back issue. However, the Leafs saw a chance to move a horrible contract. They will get some cap relief by placing Horton on long-term injured reserve. This is a weird trade, but one that makes sense for both sides.
Clarkson has a monster contract and some thought it would be immovable for the Maple Leafs. But, the Blue Jackets obviously want to pay money to a player who will actually play, rather than Nathan Horton, who’s being paid despite it looking like he might not play an NHL game again.
Dubnyk allowed two goals on 19 shots in the Wild’s 2-1 loss to the Oilers on Tuesday. He failed to go 6-0-0 against Edmonton and it snapped a three-game winning streak. He has gone 13-3-1 with a 1.66 GAA and .935 SV% in 18 games with the Wild. Tonight he has a tough matchup vs. the Predators, a team that he played two games for last season.
