Line Change
It's official! Weber back tonight. @PredFans
Weber was cleared for contact and is expected to play tonight. He last suited up on December 23rd.
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Trotz on whether Weber could play tomorrow: "Nothing is out of the question." #Preds
Weber would need to be cleared by doctors before getting on the ice. He last played on December 23rd and currently has a five-game point streak.
Kane not on first PP unit.
Kane has been moved down to the second PP unit as a bit of a message. The former 1st overall pick has only two goals since November 16th.
Suspension
The NHL has suspended St. Louis Blues defenseman Ian Cole three games for an illegal check to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader during the first period of Saturday's game at Joe Louis Arena.
Expect the Blues to recall a defenseman to replace Cole on the blue line.
Concussed defenseman Shea Weber is taking part in light skating by himself today, according to the Predators. There is still no timetable for his return from a concussion sustained Dec. 23 against the Dallas Stars. From what we know, this is his first time on ice since Mark Fistric slammed him high in that game.
Weber is certainly taking the first step towards his recovery. While the Preds captain still has no timetable, skating today is certainly a step in the right direction.
Per Mike Organ of The Tennessean, Trotz said Weber is going on IR. This frees up a roster spot.
Since Weber last played on the 23rd, Weber can return to the lineup at any time.
ST. LOUIS Here is today’s Shea Weber news. A little more positivity coming from the Predators on their captain. According to Coach Barry Trotz, Weber is making some strides. He also said Weber may have gotten to a point where he can ride the exercise bike.
Definitely a good update coming out of Nashville but you can expect him to miss a few more games. Sounds like the original prognosis of a return tonight was premature.
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Ian Cole will get back into Blues lineup.
Cole takes the place of the injured Kris Russell. The former 18th overall pick has a goal and four points over 11 games.
Kane between Stalberg and sharp.
Kane once again moves to center. The former first overall pick scored nine goals and 34 points through 37 games. He played well as a pivot so don't expect any dropoff in performance.
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He also said Weber is doubtful for Friday. #Preds
Expect Weber to sit out Friday's game. Check back for a further update on the elite defenseman.
Patrick Kane on the ice this morning. #Blackhawks
There was some concern #88 wouldn't play tonight after missing yesterday's practice due to the flu. Sounds like he will be fine after all.
Patrick Kane has the flu.
Kane is not expected to miss tomorrow's game. The former 1st overall pick has nine goals and 34 points through 36 games.
Shea Weber is out for Wed game with a concussion sustained at Dallas. He will be evaluated on a daily basis with no timetable on his return
Coach Barry Trotz is hopeful that Weber can play later on this week but emphasized that there remains no timetable for his return.
Weber not.
Bad news for Weber as it seems the Preds captain is out with a concussion. Protocol would dictate he stays off the ice for at least seven days.
Weber not on the ice for warmups.
Expect Weber to sit out tonight's game.
First, and most importantly, Shea Weber left the morning skate early. This rarely happens. In fact, I’ve never seen it happen. Weber was hit hard at the end of Nashville’s Friday game against Dallas, but he did speak to the media following the game.
After practice, we asked Coach Barry Trotz about Weber’s situation, and he said he hadn’t spoken yet with his trainers.
Should captain Weber not be able to play tonight, the Preds are expected to put rookie Ryan Ellis in the lineup.
Call up / Send down
It looks like Preds fans are getting a little extra Christmas present today - Ryan Ellis is on the NHL roster.
Ellis scored four goals and 17 points through his first 26 professional games. He should make his NHL debut tonight against the Red Wings.
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Cole, Grachev scratches. Grach expected to play in Phoenix. #stlblues
Cole has a goal and four points through 11 games but has no value as the seventh d-man.
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Cole extra d-man. #stlblues
Sounds like Cole is the seventh d-man again with the team fully healthy. He has a goal and four points through 11 games.
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Ian Cole back in the lineup. #stlblues
The sophomore has two assists through 10 games.