Ritchie had to leave Tuesday’s game following a hit from Kings’ defeseman Tom Gilbert and remains under evaluation. With Ritchie out, look for Michael Sgarbossa to get back into the Ducks lineup.
The Red Wings lost Frk on waivers before the season started, but he only appeared in two games with the Hurricanes before finding himself back on waivers on Monday. Frk returns to Grand Rapids, where he had 27 goals and 17 assists (44 points) in 67 games last year.
Stone suffered an upper-body injury last Thursday and missed Saturday’s game vs. the Avalanche. Stone missed Monday’s practice and has been listed as questionable for tomorrow’s contest vs. San Jose. Monitor Stone’s status during the morning skate.
Stone suffered an upper-body injury recently and left Saturday’s morning skate early. Head coach Dave Tippet said that Stone is questionable and a decision will be made later. Consider Stone a game-time decision.
Mantha made a strong case to make the Red Wings’ opening night roster, scoring three goals in five preseason games, but the Red Wings’ deep forward group will force Mantha to start the year in the AHL. The 22-year-old had 21 goals and 24 assists (45 points) in 60 games with the Griffins last season.
Frk, 23, was a second round pick (49th overall) in 2012, but never cracked the Red Wings roster. The Czech winger appeared in 67 games with Grand Rapids (AHL) a season ago, collecting 27 goals and 17 assists (44 points). Frk will join his former teammate Andrej Nestrasil as waiver claims from Detroit in Carolina.
Huberdeau was coming into 2016-17 with massive expectations after a career-year last season. His injury will keep him out until at least January and opens the door for younger players like Jonathan Marchessault, who moved to the top line following Huberdeau's injury on Saturday.
Huberdeau was injured in Saturday’s preseason game against the Devils when the skate of Sergey Kalinin came down on Huberdeau’s ankle. Huberdeau had to be stitched up and is expected to undergo an MRI on Sunday. The 23-year-old winger was spotted in a walking boot and all signs point towards this being a serious injury. This would be a huge blow to the Panthers’ forward group, that is already missing Nick Bjugstad.
Stone continues to work his way back from knee surgery on his left knee to repair his ACL and MCL and head coach Dave Tippett said that a return in time for Saturday’s opener may be “a little aggressive.” Stone is expected to slot in on the Coyotes’ second pair alongside Alex Goligoski, but look for Luke Schenn to play there if Stone misses the first few games.
Backlund suffered a concussion while representing Team Sweden at the World Cup of Hockey and he will return to Calgary where he will be reevaluated this week. The 27-year-old has had a tough time staying healthy during his career, but is coming off of a year where he played 82-games for the first time in his career. With two weeks before the start of the regular season, Backlund could be ready for opening night.
Huberdeau, 23, is coming off of a career-year, having posted 20 goals and 39 assists (59 points). The former third overall pick (2011) has turned in back-to-back 50-plus point seasons and appears to only be scratching the surface of what he might be able to accomplish on the Panthers’ top-line with Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr.
Coming off of a career-high 53 points in 2014-15, Barrie approached 50 points again in 2015-16, registering 49 points (13G / 36A) in 78 games. His 49 points were good for 11th among defensemen. Barrie will be among the top-15 fantasy defensemen again in 2016-17.
Tinordi, 24, had a difficult time cracking the Canadiens roster in 2015-16 and was ultimately dealt to the Coyotes, where he appeared in just seven games, failing to record a point. Tinordi will likely start as Arizona’s seventh defenseman.
Statistically Kadri didn’t have the greatest season but the Maple Leafs were impressed with his development and have inked him to a very reasonable six-year extension. Kadri will look to build off of his 2015-16 season where he had 17 goals and 28 assists (45 points) in 76 games. This raise should also help him pay for all those fines that seem to be adding up.
Kadri was assessed a two-minute minor on the play, but has been suspended for the final four games of the regular season. Kadri finishes the season with 45 points (17G / 28A) in 76 games. Tyler Bozak will take over as the team’s top line centre.
Martha, 21, was the 20th overall pick in 2013 and has had a strong season with Grand Rapids. The 6-foot-5 winger has picked up 45 points (21G / 24 A) in 56 games after posting just 33 points in his first season with the Griffins. The Red Wings offence has been sputtering as of late, so an infusion of size and skill upfront might be exactly what they need.
