Kuraly had 14 points (6G / 8A) in 75 games with the Bruins last season. Boston has one of the deepest forward depth charts in the NHL, so Kuraly will be locked into a fourth line role again in 2019.
The Hurricanes were reportedly far apart in their contract negotiations with Lindholm, who is an RFA. With no contract in sight, the Hurricanes elected to move on from the former No.5 overall pick (2013), who has averaged just 14 goals and 28 assists (42 points) over the last four seasons. Matt Cane of HockeyGraphs predicts a five-year extension worth $24.98M ($4.978M AAV) for Lindholm.
Jokiharju, 19, was a first-round pick of the Blackhawks (No.29 overall) in 2017 and is coming off of a 71-point (12G / 59A) campaign with the Portland Winterhawks (WHL). His 71 points ranked tied for third among defensemen in the WHL and represented a 0.45 point-per-game increase from his rookie season. Jokiharju will likely battle for a spot on the Blackhawks’ blueline this fall, but will likely end up back in Portland.
McAvoy has been sidelined since March 3rd, but will play tonight in Tampa Bay. McAvoy has had an outstanding season on the Bruins’ blueline, picking up seven goals and 25 assists (32 points) in 59 games.
Mittelstadt, 19, was the Sabres’ first-round pick (No.8 overall) in 2017 and will turn pro after just one year at the University of Minnesota. Mittelstadt finished his freshman campaign with 11 goals and 19 assists (30 points) in 34 games. He is expected to report to the Sabres and should make his NHL debut down the stretch.
Zacha has missed the last six games but will return tonight vs. the Penguins. There’s no word as of now, who Zacha will replace in the lineup. He has just six goals and 13 assists (19 points) in 60 games this season.
Zacha missed the last two games with an upper-body injury and will miss at least a few more games. Zacha won’t travel during the start of the road-trip, but could join the team at some point during the trip. Brian Gibbons will likely remain at centre while Zacha is sidelined.
Zacha was hurt Tuesday vs. the Canadiens and will not play against Winnipeg on Thursday. Zacha has been held pointless in his last eight games, so his fantasy value has plummeted anyways. Brian Gibbons (thumb) may be ready to replace Zacha in the lineup tonight.
Zacha played just 8:53 TOI and did not return for the third period of yesterday’s win over the Canadiens. The Devils didn’t have an update on Zacha’s status postgame, so consider him questionable heading into Thursday’s game vs. the Jets.
McAvoy got tangled up in the corner during his first shift against the Red Wings over the weekend. The injury ended up being a sprained MCL and will cost him at least one month. The good news is that his season isn’t over and McAvoy should be ready to go for the playoffs.
McAvoy played just one shift on Saturday and will miss Tuesday’s game vs. the Red Wings. McAvoy will be re-evaluated later on Monday and his status beyond Tuesday’s game could be updated in the next 24 hours. With McAvoy out, Adam McQuaid will re-enter the lineup.
Gaunce hurt his foot while blocking a shot against Florida and will not be available on Thursday. Reid Boucher has been recalled from Utica (AHL) and will replace Gaunce tonight.
Gaunce has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace Nic Dowd in the lineup tonight vs. the Avalanche. Gaunce has registered just two goals and one assist in 30 games this season.
