Toninato was a healthy scratch on Saturday but will replace Nail Yakupov in the lineup on Tuesday. Toninato has brought no offence to the Avalanche, having picked up one assist in 30 games this season.
Cole was acquired in the Derick Brassard trade but was always expected to be flipped before the trade deadline. The 29-year-old can help on the offensive end and should slot in as a third-pairing defenseman with Columbus. He had 13 points (3G / 10A) in 47 games with the Penguins before his first trade.
Weber recently began skating on his own, but is yet to return to practice. He has been out since December 16th and remains without a timetable for his return.
Weber has been out for nearly two months with a foot injury but returned to the ice on Wednesday morning. This is obviously the next step in Weber’s recovery but he remains without a timetable for his return to the lineup.
Pouliot was in the lineup for the last two games but will be replaced by Ben Hutton tonight in Florida.
Toninato, 23, had one assist in eight games with the Avalanche earlier this season and could be back in their lineup on Thursday with Tyson Jost battling an undisclosed injury. During his time in the AHL Toninato has picked up seven goals and five assists (12 points) in 30 games.
Pouliot has played well since joining the Canucks but has been held pointless with a minus-4 rating in his last seven games, so he will take a seat with Alex Biega drawing back in.
Ellis missed the first 38 games of the season after undergoing offseason knee surgery, but will play his first game of the season tonight in Vegas. Ellis, who is expected to skate on a pairing with Roman Josi, is coming off of the best season of his career, in which he registered 16 goals and 22 assists (38 points) in 71 games. Ellis is one of the better offensive-defensemen in the NHL and makes the Predators that much more dangerous, especially on the power-play.
With Micheal Frolik (broken jaw) going on IR, Mangiapane has been recalled after recording 14 goals and 19 assists (33 points) in 29 games with Stockton.
Weber was sent home from their previous road-trip, missing the last three games and will miss at least three more with a foot injury. With both Weber and David Schlemko (illness) out, the Canadiens have recalled Brett Lernout from Laval (AHL) to go on the trip.
