Hague had three shots while playing 18:34 TOI last night and has two assists in eight NHL games overall. The Golden Knights are off until Thursday, so this could be nothing more than a money-saving paper move. However, Nate Schmidt was also a full participant in Monday’s practice, so it could also be a sign that he will return to the lineup on Thursday.
Forsberg skated in a non-contact sweater during Monday’s practice, suggesting that he’s not quite ready for Tuesday’s game vs. Chicago. His return to practice is a good sign that he is nearing a return and could be back this week (TUE vs. CHI, THU vs. CGY & SAT vs. NYR).
Hague had two assists in seven games during his call-up but Jake Bischoff has recently taken his spot on the third pair. Hague returns to the AHL, where he had 13 goals and 19 assists (32 points) in 75 games last year.
Gravel has bounced between the NHL and AHL since 2016, appearing in 107 career NHL games with the Kings and Oilers. He doesn't bring a lot of offence to the table but has great size (6-foot-4, 205 lbs.) and shutdown abilities for a third-pairing defenseman.
Oesterle was questionable for Saturday’s game but his move to IR rules him out for at least one week. Aaron Ness was recalled to take Oesterele’s spot on the roster.
Oesterle took a puck in the back of the head on Thursday night and is questionable for Saturday’s game against the Senators. If Oesterle can’t play, Ilya Lyubushkin will draw into the lineup.
Saros allowed six goals on 37 shots in the Predators loss in Los Angeles last Saturday. Saros has had a forgettable start to the season, losing each of his first two games while allowing 10 goals on 64 shots (.844 SV%). He hasn’t had very difficult opponents either. Arizona comes in averaging just 2.20 goals per game (29th) so this could be a spot where Saros gets back on-track.
Saros allowed six goals on 37 shots in the Predators loss in Los Angeles last Saturday. Saros has had a forgettable start to the season, losing each of his first two games while allowing 10 goals on 64 shots (.844 SV%). He hasn’t had very difficult opponents either. Arizona comes in averaging just 2.20 goals per game (29th) so this could be a spot where Saros gets back on-track.
It looks like the Predators avoided disaster and Forsberg will not miss an extended period of time. Forsberg was forced to leave Tuesday’s game in the late stages and did not return. He was not on the ice for Wednesday’s optional practice and head coach Peter Laviolette said Forsberg will “probably” be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Gravel has not registered a point in three games with the Marlies and will replace Rasmus Sandin on the Maple Leafs roster. He has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 106 career NHL games with the Kings and Oilers.
Saros’ start volume has increased each season he’s been in the NHL as the Predators are making a concerted effort to cut-back Pekka Rinne’s workload. 2018-19 was Saros’ worst season to date, but his .921 SV% through his first three years is among the NHL’s best. He did not face Detroit last season but was 6-5-1 with a 2.94 GAA and .902 SV% on home-ice.
Saros’ start volume has increased each season he’s been in the NHL as the Predators are making a concerted effort to cut-back Pekka Rinne’s workload. 2018-19 was Saros’ worst season to date, but his .921 SV% through his first three years is among the NHL’s best. He did not face Detroit last season but was 6-5-1 with a 2.94 GAA and .902 SV% on home-ice.
Hague was picked in the second-round (No.34 overall) in 2017 and is set to replace Nate Schmidt (lower-body) in San Jose on Friday. The 20-year-old defenseman had 32 points (13G / 19A) in 75 games with Chicago (AHL) last year. Hague will play on the third pair and second power-play unit in his NHL debut.
Haula missed 67 games last season after suffering a lower-body injury that required him to be stretchered off of the ice in November. In his two seasons with Vegas, Haula had 62 points (31G / 31A) in 91 total games. Haula has one-year left at $2.75M AAV and the condition on the fifth-round pick is dependent on Haula re-signing in Carolina after next season.
