Fabbri re-injured his knee in training camp last year and missed the entire 2017-18 season. The 22-year-old has averaged 19 goals and 25 assists (43 points) per 82 games over the first two seasons of his NHL career. Fabbri is expected to be ready for the start of the 2019 season and will be a middle-6 winger for a team that has improved a lot this offseason.
Hughes was the youngest player in NCAA Division-I in 2018 and the freshman played exceptionally well, finishing third in Michigan Wolverines scoring with 29 points (5G / 24A) in 37 games. Hughes also picked up three assists in seven games while representing the United States at the World Juniors. Hughes is considered one of the best skaters in this draft class and brings with him a great first-pass and offensive game despite his somewhat diminutive stature—5-foot-10, 178 lbs
Spurgeon has been sidelined since March 13th with a hamstring tear, but it looks like he will be ready to go for Game 1 in Winnipeg. Spuregon skated next to Carson Soucy on the second pairing and it looks like he’ll play despite maybe not being 100 percent. Spurgeon’s return is huge with Ryan Suter (ankle) on the shelf and comes in with 37 points (9G / 28A) in 61 games this season.
Foligno missed the final six games of the regular season, but was on the ice for Monday’s practice and is expected to be in for Game 1 against the Capitals. Foligno, who finished the season with 15 goals and 18 assists (33 points) in 72 games, will centre a line with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Josh Anderson on his wings.
The Rangers are “not counting” on having Zuccarello for the final three games of the season after he got hurt while blocking a shot in Carolina on Saturday. Zuccarello will undergo and MRI to determine the severity, but he’s likely done for the year.
Foligno finished Saturday’s game against the Blues, so there’s no word on when the Blue Jackets’ captain sustained the injury. The timing could not be worse for Foligno, as Columbus has been red-hot and this injury could force him to miss the start of the playoffs. He has picked up one goal and five assists (six points) in his last seven games.
Tarasenko will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury that he suffered vs. the Rangers on Saturday. Taranseko was not on the ice for the last two days, which clouds his status for the remainder of this all important playoff week.
Tarasenko was supposed to skate on Tuesday but missed the practice session and is now doubtful for Wednesday’s contest. Tarasenko is not dealing with a concussion but an upper-body injury, so keep an eye on him during tomorrow’s game day skate.
Johansson has been out since January 23rd and will not travel on the Devils’ upcoming five-game road-trip. The Devils added some wing depth at the deadline to help with Johansson’s absence, but his eventual return will make them an even deeper team.
Hartman was acquired from the Blackhawks on Monday and will immediately step into the Predators lineup on Tuesday. Hartman, who has collected eight goals and 17 assists (25 points) in 57 games this season, will start on the fourth line but there’s a strong chance he moves up to at least the third line in the near future.
Brodin has been sidelined since February 6th but will replace Mike Reilly, who was traded to Montreal on Monday. Brodin has played on the power-play this season, but won’t return on the PP tonight. Brodin has five goals, 10 assists and a plus-19 rating in 53 games this season.
Hartman was a first round pick in 2012 and has built on a solid 2016-17 season, picking up 25 points (8G / 17A) in 57 games with the Blackhawks this season. With Chicago falling out of favour in the Western Conference and the Predators taking an all-in approach, Hartman brings a ton of versatility to the Nashville bottom-6.
