The Flyers tried Chris VandeVelde on the top line on Thursday, but will have Simmonds there to start the game tonight. Simmonds is a natural RW who will shift to the left side, but playing with Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux should provide ample scoring chances for the big winger. Simmonds has cooled off after a hot start, but has six goals and three assists with a plus-10 rating in 13 games this season.
Couturier was not on the ice on Wednesday because of a stomach virus, but he is back out there today and should play tonight. The young centre has recorded three goals and two assists (5 points) in 12 games this season.
The Flyers are in action on Thursday so monitor Couturier’s status during tomorrow’s morning skate. If he takes part, he should play, if not his status will be in doubt.
Simmonds will open the season on a line with Sean Couturier and Matt Read as he looks to build off of his career-year from a season ago. Simmonds had 29 goals and 31 assists and played a huge role on the Flyers PP, scoring 15 of his goals with the extra man. Despite starting on the third line, there is no doubt that he will be on the top PP unit.
Simmonds is on the ice for the third straight day, so there is a great chance that he will be in the lineup for the season opener after being injured last week. He is expected to skate with Sean Couturier and Matt Read.
Simmonds has been on the ice for the last two days which is a good sign that he will be in the lineup tomorrow vs. the Bruins. Simmonds is coming off of a career-year and appeared to be a candidate to replace Scott Hartnell on the Claude Giroux line, but it looks like he will start the year with Couturier and Read.
Simmonds was listed as day-to-day last week, but getting back on the ice this morning suggests that he might be ready to go in the Flyers' season opener on Wednesday. Simmonds is coming off of a career-year and will be a crucial member of the Flyers' offence again this season.
Simmonds' injury does not to be of the serious variety and he should be fine for the start of the regular season. Simmonds is coming off of a career-year and could record 30-plus goals this year. Monitor his status as the season approaches, but he should be good to go.
Thompson, 29, had nine goals and seven assists (16 points) in 81 games for the Ducks last season. He adds forward depth to the Ducks lineup and will likely centre the Ducks' fourth line in 2014-15.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Glendening has six assists, but is still searching for his first NHL goal. He has played 51 games this season and has played very well in a shut down, fourth-line role.
Ristolainen was just sent back to Rochester because Tyler Myers was ready to go Tuesday. However, Myers suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday's contest, thus Ristolainen has been recalled and will likely dress tonight.
Ristolainen played in five games during his call-up. He was a minus-5 with 12 shots but failed to register a point. He will return to Rochester because Tyler Myers is ready to return to the lineup. Myers has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 30 AHL games.
The Panthers selected Wilson, 23, in the fourth-round (107th overall) in 2009. He has split the last three seasons between the San Antonio Rampage (AHL) and Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL). He had 12 goals and 12 assists in 60 games before being recalled. He will skate on the fourth line with Scott Gomez and Krys Barch.
Wilson, 23, has appeared in 60 games for San Antonio this season, collecting 24 points (12G / 12A) and 45 penalty minutes. He has played in 97 career AHL game over three seasons with the Rampage (2011-14), recording 30 points (16G / 14A) and 66 penalty minutes. Wilson has yet to appear in an NHL game.
Ristolainen, 19, has one goal in 19 games with the Sabres this season. The 2013 eighth overall pick has six goals and 12 assists (18 points) in 30 games with Rochester.
Thompson is listed as day-to-day, he is not fantasy relevant, he has nine points (3G / 6A) in 46 games.
Glendening will get a shot to play in the Winter Classic on Wednesday. He has recorded one assist with a minus-7 rating in 16 games with the Red Wings.
With Helm set to return, Glendening was able to be optioned back to the minors.
Glendening has no points and a minus-3 rating in nine games with the Red Wings. With Cory Emmerton going the other way Glendening will very likely be in the lineup on Saturday.
Ristolainen suffered a concussion after being sucker-punched in the AHL, but he will likely play for Finland in the World Juniors. The 8th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft recorded one goal in 19 games with the Sabres. He has recorded two goals and two assists in five games since being sent to Rochester (AHL).
