NHL Hockey Player News

No immediate fantasy hockey value while in the AHL.

Certainly an encouraging sign that Niemi could return shortly. Coach Todd McLellan is not expected to make a decision on his starting goalie until Friday so stay tuned for a further update.

With the team not playing until Friday, then can afford to rest their number one LW. The former captain has not missed a game since the 2008-2009 campaign, so don't expect him to sit out.

In his only start against his former team, Anderson lasted only 31 minutes and allowed five goals on 22 shots.

Over nine career appearances against the Canucks, Howard holds a 5-4-0 record with a 3.14 GAA and .905 SV%.

Look for Holmstrom to play on the fourth line and second PP unit. No word yet on who he replaces on the fourth line but it is likely one of Drew Miller and Patrick Eaves.

In case you didn't know, Karlsson is the number one defenseman on the young Sens. His point totals of last season -- 13 goals and 45 points through 75 games -- could easily be topped as the 21-year-old already has five assists through three games.

Clarkson's new (and former) coach has a point as Clarkson is capable of 20 goals and 150 PIM. Grab him if your team is hurting in PIM.

At age 35 Elias will need to take some maintenance time over the course of the season. Through his first two games he registered one assist. Expect sneaky fantasy hockey value from Ilya Kovalchuk's pivot.

In 15 career games against the Kings, Broduer sports a 8-6-1 record with a 2.11 GAA, .918 SV% and one shutout.

Jones takes Omark's place on the third line and on the second PP unit. Last season he scored 18 goals and 25 points over 81 games, proving he can put the puck in the net. There may be some short-term fantasy hockey value in Jones.

You can safely rule Whitney out of making his 2011-2012 debut tomorrow night in Minnesota. Last season, the former fifth overall pick scored two goals and 27 points over 35 games, leading to an inflated ADP. He should produce around 40 points for the Oilers but should not be expected to rise to an elite level until fully healthy.

You can safely rule Eager out of making his 2011-2012 debut tomorrow night in Minnesota. Eager has been injured with concussion-like symptoms since taking a hit from teammate Kirill Tulupov during the Joey Moss Cup. Last season he scored seven goals and 17 points through 68 games while adding 120 PIM. If you need a boost in PIM, he could help out your squad in deeper leagues.

You can safely rule Gagner out of making his 2011-2012 debut tomorrow night in Minnesota. When he does return to the lineup it should cause some controversy as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins looks full capable of playing on the top line.

Omark continues to skate but likely draws out of the lineup as a precautionary measure. Through 51 games last season, the dangling forward scored five goals and 27 points with a minus-16 rating. Ryan Jones takes his spot on the third line.

The 27-year-old Finn figures to play on the fourth line in a Ville Nieminen-type role. Don't expect too much fantasy hockey value unless he moves up a line or two.

Franson should draw in for Mike Komisarek; perhaps the latter follows Hendrick on Twitter. Last season, he managed to score eight goals and 29 points with the Nashville Predators -- a playoff team. For some puzzling reason, he has yet to crack the Leafs' lineup.

When Winchester does return, he should vie for playing time on the bottom line. Last season he managed to score four goals and 13 points over 72 games with the Sens. Unless your league counts hits there is no reason to bank on Winchester.

Markov meeting with the doctor could mean one of two things. Stay tuned for a further update.

Niemi's lack of practice with the team is less-than-encouraging to his chances of playing this weekend. Stay tuned for a further update on his status.