NHL Hockey Player News

Wellman can't seem to stick in the lineup despite dominating the AHL. He will either be sent down or continue sitting in the press box.

Gillies has two assists through 23 games, playing primarily on the fourth line. He holds no fantasy hockey value despite his pedigree.

Not great news for Visnovsky, who could be battling a nagging injury all season. After scoring 18 goals and 68 points last season, he's struggled with a goal and four points through 16 games.

Through 17 games with the Habs (split between two seasons), Palushaj is still looking for his first NHL point.

St. Denis has no fantasy hockey value as a seventh defender. The rookie is still looking for his first NHL point through five games.

Markov will not play tonight although he is close to returning. Expect him to get into at least one game on the Habs' West Coast swing.

Over 14 career starts against the Ducks, Budaj holds a 4-6-3 record with a 2.77 GAA, .913 SV% and one shutout.

Ellis will not play for at least a week, guaranteeing Jonas Hiller makes tonight's start. Barring injury, Hiller will start every game until Ellis returns.

Johnson will remain out of the lineup but could return with in a week. Coming over from the St. Louis Blues last season, the former 1st overall pick has disappointed with only nine assists in 21 games.

Winnik moves down to more of a checking line for the Avs -- a role that likely better suits him. The Toronto native has three goals and seven points through 24 games.

Hejduk moves down to the second line where he will flank two youngsters. The new captain is second on the team in goals and points and should have no drop off playing with the same forwards he frequently plays with on the power play.

Jones moves back to the top line, where he holds the most fantasy hockey value. He scored seven goals through 24 games getting shuffled around the lineup.

Mueller has played only three games this season and remains out indefinitely.

Varlamov lost his only career start against the Devils, stopping 29 of 32 shots.

Filatov is likely to play tomorrow despite leaving the last game due to dizziness. He has one assist through his first eight games with the team.

Neil continues to skate but remains doubtful for this Thursday against Dallas. He scored three goals and seven points with 52 in 16 games so far.

Penner was expected to draw back into the lineup tomorrow but it appears he won't. Penner has been out since November 10th with a hand injury but should draw back in shortly. At this point he is a fringe play with only two assists in 14 games.

He scored nine goals and 16 points in 20 games with St. Johns of the AHL. If he draws in, he will be making his NHL debut.

Both players are unlikely to play the next two games. You might want to look for an alternative option for the rest of the week.

Backstrom has dominated the Oilers through 25 games with a 20-2-1 record, 1.66 GAA, .938 SV% and four shutouts.