Coyle, 22, was set to become a restricted free agent in the offseason (per nhlnumbers.com) but is now signed through the 2020-21 season. The 6-foot-3, 221 lbs. winger has one goal and one assist through four games this season and was recently bumped up to the second line with Mikko Koivu and Thomas Vanek. This is his third full NHL season; he played 37 of 48 games in the lockout shortened season.
Nichushkin continues to improve but he will miss the Stars' back-to-back games vs. the Devils and Islanders on Friday and Saturday. Monitor Nichushkin's status leading up to Tuesday's game vs. the Blues.
Coyle was practicing on a line with Thomas Vanek and Mikko Koivu in Tuesday's practice. So far this season Coyle has one goal and one assist in four games. The move to the second line should provide some extra scoring chances and increased minutes.
Nichushkin will miss his fourth straight game tonight, but returning to practice tomorrow would be a positive step in his return to the lineup. He could be back in one of the Stars' back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday.
This situation has been a roller-coaster all day long. Originally he was ruled out, then was a maybe when Alex Killorn went down in practice. After the skate, head coach Jon Cooper said Killorn was fine and Drouin would not play. Now, with warmups underway Killorn is not on the ice and Drouin is, so he will make his much anticipated debut.
This was supposed to be the case from the beginning, but when Alex Killorn left practice early, there was some speculation that Drouin may play for him. However, it turns out that Killorn is fine and will play, which means Drouin will have to wait to make his NHL debut. "Playing back to back Friday and Saturday plus traveling Sunday, [Drouin is] not going to play tonight," said head coach Jon Cooper.
Drouin did not take part in line rushes in the early part of the morning skate, but teammate Alex Killorn took a spill in practice and left the ice. Drouin took his spot on a line with Valtteri Filppula and Tyler Johnson, so if Killorn can't play expect Drouin to make his debut.
The third overall pick in the 2013 draft, Drouin, 19, had a goal, two assists and a plus-4 rating in his brief conditioning stint with Syracuse. He was assigned to Syracuse on Thursday to receive more live action to complete his recovery from a slight fracture in his right thumb sustained in September. The Lightning are in action on Monday night and it will likely be Drouin's NHL debut.
Nichushkin has missed the last three games with groin and hip issues. He is expected to miss another week as he rests his nagging injuries. He is eligible to return whenever he is healthy.
Drouin scored the game-winning goal in his AHL debut and has recorded one goal and two assists in his first two AHL games. He can only stay in the AHL for a maximum of two weeks, but he could be recalled sooner than expected if he continues to play at a high level.
Wagner, 23, had two goals in the first two AHL games of the season. He is coming off of a season where he had 28 points (14G / 14A) in 76 games.
Drouin said that his fractured thumb has healed and that he expects to play in Syracuse on Friday. Going to Syracuse is about Drouin getting his timing back and getting some game experience before he makes his NHL debut. He can stay in Syracuse for a maximum of two weeks and at this time there is no timetable for when he is expected to return to the Lightning.
Wagner, 23, was the 122nd overall pick in the 2010 draft and has never played an NHL game. Wagner got off to a blistering pace in the AHL this season, scoring four goals in two games. There is no word if Wagner will make his NHL debut during the Ducks' home opener on Friday.
Drouin suffered a fractured thumb in the preseason and has been working his way back from the injury and is believed to be close to returning. However, it looks like the Lightning will take a slow approach with Drouin and ease him back into playing with Syracuse before he makes his NHL debut.
Nichushkin, 19, has been dealing with the nagging injury for about six weeks and it has not improved, so the Stars will shut him down for "about a week" and let it heal. With Nichushkin out, Colton Sceviour got a chance on the Stars top line on Tuesday and produced one assist, three shots and a plus-3 rating. The Stars believe there is a seven to 10 day window before Nichushkin rejoins the team for practice.
Drouin will not play on Tuesday and has yet to participate in any contact drills. He stayed on late this morning and worked on faceoffs, so the rookie is getting closer. Contact is the next step in getting Drouin ready to make his NHL debut.
Nichushkin is battling a nagging groin/hip injury that will keep him out of tonight's game. He is back in Frisco, Texas getting tested so an update on how long he will be out should be coming soon. Colton Sceviour will play on the Stars top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.
Nichushkin was replaced by Cody Eakin on the Stars top line in practice and could miss tomorrow's game with and groin and hip ailment that has been bothering him since training camp. Monitor Nichushkin's status during Tuesday's morning skate.
According to the Lightning coach, Drouin has one last check-up before he is cleared to make his NHL debut. The Lightning play tomorrow as well, so it sounds like he could be cleared to play on Tuesday. There is still no word on who Drouin will play with when he gets into the lineup.
Drouin was on the ice for the morning skate once again, but did not take part in line rushes, so it does not look like he will be making hi NHL debut tonight. The Lightning play tomorrow as well, so consider him questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Devils.
