The Stars are finally ready to make their season debuts on Friday but they may do so without Klingberg. The All-Star defenseman was missing from practice on Thursday for what head coach Rick Bowness simply called "medical reasons." If Klingberg isn't available, Thomas Harley should suit up in his place and Miro Heiskanen would be on the top power-play unit.
Orlov was among four Capitals added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Wednesday after it was determined they were in a hotel room together during the team's recent road trip. "Right now the players are in quarantine and, at this point, I believe it's four games and then under review and so we'll go from there," head coach Peter Laviolette said. In addition to Orlov, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ilya Samsonov are all expected to be out as well.
White, who played most of last season as the Senators' No.1 centre, has plummeted down the depth chart during training camp. According to head coach DJ Smith, there are "four centres ahead of him that had good camps." Those four centres are Josh Norris, newcomer Derek Stepan, Chris Tierney and Artem Anisimov.
Price led the NHL in games played and minutes played (3440) in 2020 but could get more breathers this year with Jake Allen in as his backup. Price, who was 27-25-6 with a 2.79 GAA and .909 SV% in 58 starts, draws a tough assignment in the season opener. The Maple Leafs were third in the NHL in scoring last year but Price was 3-0-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .912 SV% against them.
Price led the NHL in games played and minutes played (3440) in 2020 but could get more breathers this year with Jake Allen in as his backup. Price, who was 27-25-6 with a 2.79 GAA and .909 SV% in 58 starts, draws a tough assignment in the season opener. The Maple Leafs were third in the NHL in scoring last year but Price was 3-0-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .912 SV% against them.
Wennberg was bought out by the Blue Jackets yesterday but signed a one-year "show me" deal with the Panthers. In Florida, Wennberg has a perfect opportunity to serve as their second line centre and get back to his point producing ways. He has not topped 30 points in two straight seasons but registered a career-high 59 points (13G / 46A) in 2017.
Wennberg had three years left on a six-year deal that carried a $4.9M AAV cap hit. The former No.14 overall pick (2013) had struggled since posting 59 points in 2017, averaging just five goals and 22 assists (27 points) over the last three seasons. Still, he has enough skill to be a No.2 centre for a team in need and a good enough two-way game to be a third line centre for a team with better depth.
