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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Chicago Blackhawks News
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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.
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Cole scratched.
The sophomore comes out of the lineup with the blue line fully healthy. He has two assists through 10 games under coach Hitchcock.
Kane w/ Toews, Stalberg
Kane moves up to the top line after playing center for most of the season. The former first overall pick has seven goals and 24 points in 25 games.
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Ken Hitchcock said Ian Cole will be paired with Alex Pietrangelo against #mnwild. Other D pairings to remain in tact. #stlblues
Cole moves up to the top pairing which means his minutes should increase. He has no points through two games but should provide a physical presence from the blue line.
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Ian Cole out tonight based on mornimg skate pairings...a little odd considering his recent play #Blues
Cole will draw out in favor of Kris Russell. The former 18th overall pick has no points through two games.
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Looks like Ian Cole will play tonight, skating with Roman Polak.
Cole gets a crack at the lineup in Ken Hitchcock's first game. He registered three assists over his first 12 games in the AHL.
Call up / Send down
Blues make it official: Ian Cole has been recalled from Peoria. #stlblues
Cole's promotion marks the first move of the Ken Hitchcock era. The former 18th overall pick has three assists through 13 games for the Peoria Rivermen.
Call up / Send down
Here is the audio from Barry Trotz's media scrum today, announcing that Ryan Ellis has been sent to Milwaukee and Kyle Wilson has been placed on waivers.
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.
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Trotz did not say, but defenseman Ryan Ellis may have played his best game of the preseason.
Ellis may have earned a roster spot with his play last night. The Freelton, ONT native scored 24 goals and 101 points in his final season with the Windsor Spitfires. If he stays on the team, look for him to help man the bottom pairing.