Taylor Hall (illness) will not be playing tonight
Linus Omark takes his place on the top line. The Oilers will dress seven defensemen tonight with Theo Peckham drawing back into the lineup.
Carolina Hurricanes News
Taylor Hall is a game-time decision for tonight. Under the weather.
Should he not feel well enough to play in the Battle of Alberta, look for Jeff Petry to draw back into the lineup. Expect a further update on this injury tonight.
And it sounds like Jake Gardiner may play tomorrow, although nothing certain. Wilson says they'll decide tomorrow.
Gardiner has been a healthy scratch with Cody Franson drawing back into the lineup. With no points and a minus-2 rating over his first two games, the 21-year-old certainly has some growing pains.
Gardiner, Orr, Rosehill scratched.
After playing two games for the Leafs, the former 17th overall pick is a healthy scratch. Over those two games he is still looking for his first NHL point while sporting a minus-2 rating.
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And here are Stepan-Richards-Gaborik on a line together
Stepan gets a crack at the top line after centering the third line over the first two games. With Richards and Gaborik both left handed shooters, adding a right handed forward to the line could lead to better production.
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As Hall starts Year 2 of his NHL career, the sky’s the limit for the 19-year-old. He had 22 goals and 20 assists in 65 games during his rookie 2010-11 season, scoring his first goal in his eighth game — against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 28.
In his second full season, Hall is expected to score 30 goals and help his Edmonton Oilers avoid being the worst team in the League.
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Staal is skating this morning
Staal is expected to play tonight following his bout with dehydration. Look for him to center the second line.
Pens said staal was dehydrated last night. Not practicing today. Will let you know what Coach Disco says later.
Likely just a precautionary measure to maintain Staal's health. Last season he scored 11 goals and 30 points over 42 games, playing between the first and second line. Expect him to approach career highs as he plays a more vital offensive role.
The cuts mean that rookies Matt Frattin and Jake Gardiner have made the team.
As one of the better defensive prospects in hockey, Gardiner could make the team and push a veteran out of a job. Last season, he scored 10 goals and 41 points in as many games with the University of Wisconsin. The team will keep him on a tight leash as he could use a bit more time in the AHL after playing only 10 games with the Marlies last season.
Gardiner's ever-emerging presence on the Leafs blue line has further complicated things for Ron Wilson heading into the preseason finale against Detroit on Saturday.
As one of the better defensive prospects in hockey, Gardiner could make the team and push a veteran out of a job. Last season, he scored 10 goals and 41 points in as many games with the University of Wisconsin. He could use a bit more time in the AHL after playing only 10 games with the Marlies last season.
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Paul Stastny, who I think has looked reasonably good in camp so far. Better quickness with the puck, mostly in his decision-making. Hockey is such a give-and-go game now, and I think he’s gotten better at moving the puck faster.
Stastny will need to step up for his team to re-enter the playoff picture. Coming off a poor year by his standards, the second-generation center scored 22 goals and 57 points. If on his game he can easily add 60 assists to his annual 20+ goals.
“I’m just going to play to the best of my ability and let the rest of it take care of itself,” said Gardiner, who played 10 games for the Toronto Marlies last season, collecting three assists.
Gardiner figures to start the season in the AHL but should impress during the preseason. As the team's top defensive prospect, he hopes to render a puck-moving d-man like John-Michael Liles obsolete sooner rather than later.
“By the end of the summer, I was getting sick of working out. I just wanted to get back on the ice,” the Edmonton Oilers’ prized pick from the 2010 NHL entry draft said after skating with Sam Gagner and Ales Hemsky during the first on-ice training camp session at Rexall Place.
The former 1st overall pick scored 22 goals in 65 games last season and should be expected to break 30 goals this season.
Hall Gagner Hemsky,
Hall will start on the first line with Hemsky. The former 1st overall pick scored 22 goals in 65 games last season and should be expected to break out this year.
Derek Stepan says he has same attitude as rookie season: Competing for job---either center or left wing.
Stepan could very well earn the first line LW position over Wojtek Wolski, Ruslan Fedotenko or Sean Avery. Just another name to throw in the hat -- one with much more potential than the other three candidates.