Bjugstad missed practice on Monday and is listed as doubtful for Tuesday’s game. Bjugstad has missed a lot of practices recently and he is dealing with lower-body “soreness.” Monitor his status during Tuesday’s morning skate.
Gunnarsson suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday's game against the Wild and he will be held out of today's game against the Red Wings. Petteri Lindbohm or Chris Butler will replace him.
The flu has been making its rounds around the Panthers locker room, so that is likely what Bjugstad is dealing with. Florida does not play again until Thursday, so he has plenty of time to get back on the ice and be ready for their matchup with the Jets.
Krug, 23, was set to become a restricted free agent in the offseason. Krug is on-pace to set a career-high with 41 points. So far he has 11 goals and 20 assists (31 points) in 59 games.
With the addition of Braydon Coburn, the Lightning sent Witkowski down after he had been a healthy scratch in each of the last five games.
Bjugstad was listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury and the belief was that Vincent Trocheck was recalled to replace Bjugstad, but he will be in for Dave Bolland and Bjugstad is good to go. The 22-year-old has five goals in his last nine games.
Bjugstad is reportedly ailing a little bit which sparked the Panthers to recall Vincent Trocheck from San Antonio (AHL). Monitor Bjugstad’s status during warmups.
Leivo was a healthy scratch on Wednesday and with Leo Komarov and Peter Holland back in the lineup, Leivo wasn’t getting in the lineup anytime soon.
Leivo was a minus-1 in 7:30 TOI in one game during his call-up before the All Star break. He has one goal in nine games with the Leafs this season.
Witkowski will replace Mark Barberio in the lineup tonight vs. Vancouver. Witkowski is a physical blue liner who will help replace some of the physicality the Lightning are lacking since losing Radko Gudas. He has six points (1G / 5A) in 36 games with Syracuse this season.
Leivo, 21, has been recalled in the midst of a terrible slump for the Maple Leafs. He has registered one goal in eight games with the Maple Leafs this season. His recall is likely just a way for the Leafs to shake things up.
Witkowski, 24, has six points (1G /5A) and 75 PIMS in 36 games with Syracuse this season. His recall adds some toughness and a right handed shot on the Lightning’s blue line. He could make his NHL debut on Saturday.
Gunnarsson is expected to return to the lineup on Friday vs. the Ducks. Gunnarsson has been sidelined since December 6th, but should be back in tonight. He has one goal and four assists in 20 games this season.
Gunnarsson was back at practice on Thursday and could be in the lineup tonight in Anaheim. Monitor his status during the Blues game day skate this afternoon.
Bjugstad has 21 points (13G / 8A) in 34 games this season. His 13 goals leads the Panthers and puts him on pace for 31 this season. He is miles ahead of his strong rookie campaign and should continue to get better. His six-year extension will see him in Florida through the 2020-21 season.
When Petteri Lindbohm was sent back to the AHL this morning, there was some optimism that Gunnarsson was close. He is improving, but he will not play tonight or tomorrow. The Blues first game after New Year’s is Friday in Anaheim.
Gunnarsson is close to returning, but he is not quite ready to be in the lineup tomorrow. Monitor his status leading up to Saturday’s game in San Jose.
Gunnarsson had been doing light on-ice workouts, but this morning was the first time he skated with the team since suffering a concussion on December 6th. He remains without a timeline for his return.
Gunnarsson took a pretty fierce elbow to the head in the Blues win vs. the Islanders on Saturday. He left the game and did not return. There was no word no whether the 28-year-old suffered a concussion, but his absence at the Blues morning skate suggests he will miss tonight’s game—Ian Cole will return to the lineup.
Gunnarsson was injured this afternoon after being elbowed in the head by Islanders’ forward Anders Lee. Expect an update in the next 24 hours.
