Burakovsky has just two assists in seven games in the Capitals’ top-6 so he was moved to the third line with Tom Wilson taking his spot with Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie. Burakovsky will be difficult to trust in fantasy circles while he’s outside the top-6.
Grzelcyk cracked the opening night roster thanks to a Torey Krug preseason injury, but with Krug set to return on Monday, Grzelcyk was sent back to the AHL. The 23-year-old was a plus-1 with two shots on goal in 12:11 TOI in the season opener. He returns to Providence where he had 32 points (6G / 26A) in 70 games during his first professional campaign.
Pouliot was the No.8 overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, but has yet to reach his full potential in Pittsburgh. The 23-year-old defenseman split last season between the NHL and AHL, recording 23 points (7G / 16A) in 46 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and no points in 11 games with the Penguins. The rebuilding Canucks can take a chance on the young blueliner, who likely won’t crack the top-6 to open the season.
This is an unfortunate injury for Bertuzzi, who was expected to open the season with the Red Wings after dazzling in the AHL playoffs last spring. Bertuzzi could still be a Red Wing when he’s healthy, but this injury opens the door for Martin Frk or Luke Witkowski to open the season as their No.12 forward.
Ellis underwent knee surgery in June and is expected to miss the first three months of the season, at the very least. This is a huge blow to the Predators’ talented blueline as Ellis is coming off of a career-highs in goals (16) and points (38). With Ellis sidelined, look for offseason acquisition Alexei Emelin to play a more prominent role and for Matt Irwin to see regular playing time.
Burakovsky has been sidelined since February 9th and will remain in Washington to skate while the team goes to California for a three-game trip. Monitor his status leading up to next Tuesday’s game vs. the Wild.
Ellis was hurt during the Predators’ loss in Montreal on Thursday and missed today’s morning skate. Ellis is listed as day-to-day and will come out of the lineup tonight vs. the Blackhawks. Anthony Bitetto will replace Ellis and is expected to skate with Yannick Weber.
Ellis scored a goal in 9:25 TOI before leaving last night’s game in Montreal with a lower-body injury. Head coach Peter Laviolette did not have Ellis’ condition so consider him as day-to-day.
Pouliot has spent the majority of the year with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he has registered five goals and nine assists (14 points) in 32 games this season. The 23-year-old had 14 points (2G / 12A) in 63 career NHL games and could be in the lineup on Wednesday because the Penguins are dealing with a multitude of injuries on the back-end.
Burakovsky has been sidelined by a hand injury since February 9th and was placed on IR on Thursday in order to recall Riley Barber from Hershey (AHL). Burakovsky is expected to be sidelined until mid-March.
