Grzelcyk has been sidelined by a concussion since Game 2 but is expected to draw back into the Bruins lineup for Game 5. Grzelcyk was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice and Thursday’s optional gameday skate and will likely replace Zdeno Chara (jaw), who is also a game-time decision. Grzelcyk is expected to play on the top-pairing and second power-play unit.
Hayes, 27, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, so the Flyers will need to sign him before July 1st. Hayes spent the first four and a half seasons of his career with the Rangers before being dealt to the Jets at least year’s trade deadline. Hayes finished the 2018-19 campaign with a career-high 55 points (19G / 36A) in 71 games. Hayes helps bolster the Flyers’ centre depth, which has taken a hit since Claude Giroux moved to the wing.
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said that Grzelcyk is “better than he was” but will miss Game 4 in St. Louis. Grzelcyk’s improvement leaves the door open for a potential Game 5 return when the series shifts back to Boston.
Grzelcyk was crunched from behind by Oskar Sundqvist in Game 2 and will not be available for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Sundqvist was handed a two-minute minor on the play but has been suspended for Game 3. John Moore is expected to replace Grzelcyk in the lineup on Saturday.
Riikola, 25, came over the North America this season and served primarily as an extra defenseman for the Penguins. Riikola registered five points (2G / 3A) in 37 NHL games and added two assists in five games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).
Ouellet’s deal is worth $700K at the NHL-level but the 25-year-old played just 19 games with Montreal last season. Ouellet spent most of the year with Laval (AHL), where he posted seven goals and 21 assists (28 points) in 47 AHL games.
Bemstrom, 19, was a fourth-round pick (No.117 overall) in 2017 and finished the 2019 season with 35 points (23G / 12A) in 47 games with Djurgardens IF of the Swedish Elite League.
Acciari has been sidelined since Game 4 of round two and will miss Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Carolina. Head coach Bruce Cassidy said that Acciari is “feeling better” and is targeting a Game 2 return.
Acciari missed Game 5 after being listed as a game-time decision and will not play in Game 6 in Columbus. Chris Wagner will remain on the Bruins fourth-line.
Acciari missed the Bruins morning skate and head coach Bruce Cassidy has listed him as a game-time decision for Game 5. Chris Wagner will draw in on the fourth line if Acciari is unable to play.
With Petr Mrazek out, Nedeljkovic comes up to serve as Curtis McElhinney’s backup on Wednesday. Nedeljkovic was excellent this season, going 34-14-1 with a 2.26 GAA and .916 SV% in 51 AHL games and was 3-1 with a 2.00 GAA and .923 SV% in four AHL playoff games before being called-up. It remains to be seen how long he will remain with Carolina.
Letang has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but could be back Thursday vs. the Red Wings. Letang has missed a lot of time lately but had a point in each of the three games he played in between his two injuries, giving him 16 goals and 40 assists (56 points) in 63 games this season.
Malkin has missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury but was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice and will be a game-time decision for Thursday’s game vs. the Red Wings. Malkin centred Phil Kessel and Bryan Rust in today’s session.
Heinen played through an illness on Sunday but will be replaced by Chris Wagner on Tuesday.
