Drouin has been battling the flu for a few weeks, but hasn’t missed any games. He was absent for Wednesday’s practice and is listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s game. It’s unclear whether it is the illness or something else that is bothering Drouin, but monitor his status during warmups at 7:00p.m. ET.
Drouin missed Sunday’s game in Carolina, but will draw back into the lineup tonight. Drouin was expected to breakout after a strong 2016 playoffs, but he has just 10 points (3G / 7A) in 19 games so far.
Drouin missed Sunday’s game in Carolina, but could return to the lineup on Thursday. Drouin skated on the Lightning’s second line with Valtteri Filppula and Brayden Point on Wednesday and is somewhere between probable and questionable for tomorrow’s contest.
Drouin has missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup tonight in Buffalo. Drouin’s return is key for the Lightning, who will be without Steven Stamkos for an extended period of time. Drouin will skate on the third line and comes in with five points (2G / 3A) in 10 games.
Nakladal, 28, failed to record a point in three games with the Hurricanes, but he will head to Charlotte after being a healthy scratch in 10 of the first 13 games.
Drouin was not on the ice for the Lightning’s morning skate and will not play Monday vs. the Panthers. Head coach Jon Cooper said that he hopes that Drouin will be ready to return soon.
Drouin left Tuesday’s game with a head injury after being hit by Islanders’ defenseman Calvin de Haan. Drouin missed the morning skate and is still being evaluated by doctors. Drouin is day-to-day and will be replaced by J.T. Brown tonight.
Drouin got crunched by Islanders’ defenseman Calvin de Haan and was forced to leave the game and did not return. The hit was to Drouin’s head, so there is some immediate concussion concern, but the Lightning have not released any information on his condition.
Nakladal, 28, split his time between the AHL and NHL in 2015-16, totalling five points (2G / 3A) in 27 games with the Flames and 14 points (2G / 12A) in 35 games with the Stockton Heat. The 6-foot-2, 212 lbs. defenseman adds depth to the Hurricanes’ blueline but figures to start the year in the AHL.
What a crazy season for Drouin. He was sent down, didn’t report, got suspended, didn’t get traded and now he’s back with the Lightning. During his time in Syracuse, Drouin collected 11 goals, two assists and a minus-9 rating. With Steven Stamkos and Ryan Callahan out, the Lightning need some help up front. He has eight points (2G / 6A) in 19 NHL games this season.
Drouin did not show up for Syracuse’s game on Wednesday and the Lightning have suspended the 20-year-old indefinitely. The Lightning will continue to try and trade Drouin for a fair price, so it looks like he has played his last game with Tampa or Syracuse.
Drouin has missed the last eight games with a lower-body injury, but has been taken off of IR, which suggests that he may return to the lineup on Wednesday vs. the Rangers. If he can’t go tomorrow, look for him on Saturday vs. the Wild.
