Assigned to San Antonio (AHL)
Florida Panthers News
The Blues have reassigned Niko Mikkola to San Antonio (AHL).
Mikkola, 22, was a fifth-round pick (No.127 overall) in 2015 and came to North America this fall after four years in Finland. The 6-foot-5, 198 lbs. blueliner made the opening night roster but sat as a healthy scratch vs. the Jets on Thursday. Chris Thorburn has been recalled to take Mikkola’s spot on the roster.
Goalie Start
Bobrovsky will start Friday against the Hurricanes.
Last year, Bobrovsky started 60-plus games for the just the second time in his eight-year career but saw his numbers from 2017 drop a bit. Bob is one of the best goalies in the NHL and has done a fantastic job during his six seasons in Columbus—posting a 2.37 GAA and .923 SV%. He got opening night off so he could start the home opener and draws a solid matchup vs. a Hurricanes team that also played last night.
The Blue Jackets have placed Seth Jones (knee) on IR.
Jones has been moved to IR retroactive to September 25th and is expected to be out until at least late-October. Jones has been given a 4-6 week timetable and should become a sleeper as he drops down fantasy boards this week. The 23-year-old will look to build off of a career-best 57 points (16G / 41A) in 78 games. Zach Werenski will eat up massive minutes at even-strength and the top power-play while Jones is out.
Jones will miss 4-6 weeks with a 2nd degree MCL sprain.
Jones suffered an MCL sprain during Tuesday’s preseason game vs. the Sabres and will miss at least one month. This is another blow to Columbus’ blueline, who will also be without Ryan Murray (groin) to start the season and Zach Werenski is coming off of major off-season shoulder surgery. Werenski should be ready for the start of the year and anchor the top power-play unit with Jones out.
The Sabres signed Sam Reinhart to a two-year extension worth $7.3M ($3.65M AAV) on September 19th.
Reinhart set new career-highs in goals (25) and points (50) during the 2017-18 season. The former No.2 overall pick (2014) is expected to land a top-6 role and players with either Jack Eichel or Casey Mittelstadt in a new-look Sabres’ lineup. Reinhart has 60-point upside as he enters his fourth full season.
The Sabres have signed Sam Reinhart to a two-year deal worth $7.3 million ($3.65M AAV).
Reinhart is coming off of the best season of his career, posting 50 points (25G / 25A) in 82 games. He has increased his point totals in each of first three seasons in the NHL and is poised to do that again in 2018-19. The Sabres beefed up Reinhart’s surrounding cast and he projects to be a top-6 winger with either Jack Eichel or Casey Mittelstadt.
The Golden Knights re-signed Tomas Nosek to a one-year, $962.5K contract extension.
The Blue Jackets have acquired Jean-Francois Berube from the Blackhawks for Jordan Schroeder.
Kulikov (back) is back in the Jets lineup for Game 5.
Cold Streak
Nosek is expected to draw back into the Golden Knights lineup for Game 2.
Line Change
Nosek is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 5.
Marchand (undisclosed) will be a game-time for Game 4.
Goalie Start
Bobrovsky will start Game 6 vs. the Capitals.
Goalie Start
Bobrovsky will start Game 4 vs. the Capitals.
Goalie Start
Bobrovsky will start Game 3 vs. the Capitals.
Goalie Start
Bobrovsky will start Game 2 in Washington.
Goalie Start
Bobrovsky will start Game 1 in Washington.
Barkov (shoulder) will miss the final two games of the regular season.
Barkov was hurt in the Panthers win over the Bruins on Thursday and will miss two must-win games for the Panthers this weekend. This is an incredibly huge loss for the Panthers, but Barkov is expected to be back in the playoffs, if they can get there without him.
Goalie Start
Berube will start Friday vs. the Blues.