Smith suffered the infection in a fight with Nick Foligno and he will not travel to Winnipeg. Smith could meet the team in Toronto for Saturday’s game, but Jakub Kindl will get into the lineup on Thursday.
Jenner has not played yet this season because of a broken hand that he suffered in the preseason. He was expected to open the season on the Blue Jacket top line with Ryan Johansen, but he will make his season debut on the third line with Alexander Wennberg and Matt Calvert, who also returns to the lineup tonight.
Jenner has not played this season because of a broken hand he suffered in the preseason, but he has been progressing and skating on a regular line this morning suggests he could make his season debut on Tuesday vs. Carolina. Jenner had 16 goals and 13 assists (29 points) in 72 games in his rookie season and will likely find himself on Ryan Johansen's wing again, even if he does not start there in his debut.
Jenner skated with a glove on his injured hand and handled pucks for the third straight practice. There’s still no defined date for Jenner’s return, but he knows he is getting closer. “It’s hard to put a number on that day, that’s the thing," Jenner said. "You just try to see when you’re ready to go. And if today’s the day then you take it from there. He remains day-to-day, but this is finally some positive news on the Blue Jackets' injury front.
Jenner has been sidelined since the preseason after undergoing surgery to repair a broken hand. Jenner is nearly four weeks into a five-week timetable, so his return to the ice appears to be right on schedule. Expect him to skate with the Blue Jackets throughout the week and likely return this weekend or next week.
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.
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.
Monahan did not participate in the morning skate but it looks like he will give it a go in the season opener vs. the Canucks. Monahan will centre the top-line with Curtis Glencross and Jiri Hudler on his wings.
Monahan is sick and will not practice this morning, so the Flames will see how he is feeling later before making a decision whether or not to get him in the lineup tonight in the Flames' season opener vs. Vancouver. Monahan was set to centre the Flames top line with Curtis Glencross and Jiri Hudler on his wings.
Jenner will miss the first month of the regular season, which is troublesome for the Blue Jackets who are currently without Nathan Horton (back) and Ryan Johansen (unsigned), all of whom were expect to be on Columbus' first line to start the season. The injury is sure to make Jenner drop in fantasy drafts, but he remains a 20-20 candidate.
With Jenner out for a month, Nathan Horton out with a back injury and Ryan Johansen still unsigned, the Blue Jackets entire projected first line is unavailable. Jenner, 21, had 16 goals and 13 assists (29 points) in 72 games in his rookie season. The 6-foot-2, 204 lbs. forward is a great goal scorer and was poised for a breakout season, but it will have to wait one month before it starts.
Gudbranson, 22, had just nine points (3G / 6A) and a minus-7 rating in 65 games with the Panthers last season. While those numbers don't jump off the board at you, he led the Panthers in PIMs (114), hits (158) and was fifth in blocked shots (91). He put up decent offensive numbers in juniors, but has yet to show he can score consistently in the NHL.
Coyle appeared to be having a tough time receiving passes and stick handling in the Wild's OT loss last night that ended their season, but that would make sense given the status of his shoulders. Coyle had three goals and four assists (7 points) in 13 playoff games. It was a solid postseason for the 22-year-old who had 30 points (12G / 18A) in 70 games this season. The 2010 first round pick, should see consistent top-6 minutes in 2014-15.
Gudbranson has missed the last nine games, but should be back in tonight. Great timing for the Panthers as they just found out Tom Gilbert is done for the season. Although the games don't mean much anymore, Gudbranson says he’s bound and determined to finish up strong heading into the offseason. He has two goals and five assists in 56 games this season.
With all the injuries in Detroit, they are desperate and have resulted to moving D-men up front. Smith says that he has not played forward since he was 15/16 and playing AAA on a line with Sam Gagner and John Tavares. Unfortunately for him, his linemates are likely going to be Cory Emmerton and Teemu Pulkkinen, a small step-down from Gagner and Tavares I'd say.
Gudbranson injured in knee in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Bruins. Mike Mottau has been recalled and is expected to be in the lineup tonight vs. Phoenix. Expect Gudbranson to miss close to nine games with the knee injury.
Fasching, 18, was a fourth-round pick (118th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He is a 6-foot-2, 213 lbs. winger who has 12 goals and 15 assists (27 points) in 31 games with the University of Minnesota. He had an excellent tournament with Team USA at the World Juniors this season.
Gudbranson served as a healthy scratch for three consecutive games, but will slide back onto the Panthers' blueline tonight. Gudbranson has two goals, five assists and a minus-7 rating in 46 games this season.
Gudbranson missed the last five games after undergoing surgery to repair a broken orbital bone. He will be paired with Ed Jovanovski tonight in Montreal. He has seven points (2G /5A) and a minus-7 rating in 37 games.
Gudbranson has missed the last five games after undergoing surgery on a broken orbital bone. The Panthers could use Gudbranson on the road-trip because Dylan Olsen and Alex Petrovic will not be available. If he can't go tomorrow, Mike Mottau would enter the lineup for the first time since December 3.
