Fowler was hurt in Friday’s game vs. the Canadiens, but the Ducks have yet to determine how long their star defenseman will be sidelined. The injuries continue to mount for the Ducks as Fowler joins Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen as banged up Ducks’ defensemen. With Fowler out, Brandon Montour becomes a must-add in fantasy circles.
Sundqvist had no points, a minus-2 rating and three shots on goal while averaging 12:52 TOI in the first two games of the season. The Blues will replace him with Ivan Barbashev this afternoon.
Krug missed the Bruins’ season opener with a jaw injury that he suffered in the preseason but he will get back into the lineup this afternoon vs. the Avalanche. Krug is expected to skate with Adam McQuaid at even-strength and should quarterback the top power-play.
The Bruins have a few players who are listed as game-time decisions, but Krug seems like the most likely to return vs. the Avalanche. Krug, who was cleared for contact on Saturday has skated with a full-face shield in practice, had an impressive 51 points (8G / 43A) in 81 games last season. Expect head coach Bruce Cassidy to address the media around 11am ET.
Walker, 23, a Sydney, Australia native will make his NHL debut vs. the Canadiens on Saturday. The 5-foot-8, 186 lbs. winger showed some good offensive talent in the AHL in 2015-16, collecting 41 points (17G / 24A) in 73 games but had a more difficult time last season, posting just 11 goals and 12 assists (23 points) in 58 games.
Krug has an X-ray and a meeting with doctors scheduled for Friday and the best-case scenario would be a return to the lineup for the Bruins’ second game of the season on Monday. With Krug out on Thursday, Matt Grzelcyk will get a look on the Bruins’ third-pair and second power-play unit.
Krug, who has missed time after taking a puck to the face in the preseason, was placed on IR on Tuesday but practiced in a non-contact sweater on Wednesday. Look for Krug to be sidelined for at least another week.
Krug took a puck to the mouth in the Bruins’ preseason win on Tuesday night. Krug will likely miss at least the first three games of the regular season. He will be re-evaluated in three weeks and a new update is expected to be released.
Fowler has been a part of trade rumours for years but we can put those to bed after inking an eight-year pact with the Ducks. In 2016-17, Fowler set a career-high with 11 goals and 39 points in 80 games. Fowler has No.1 fantasy defenseman upside, but should be selected as a No.2.
