Jet Greaves has been called up from the AHL on an emergency basis as Merzlinkins continues to battle a stomach bug. Merzlinkins has played well in two games this season (1-1-0), recording a 1.84 GAA and .950 SV%. If Merzlinkins is indeed unable to play on Monday night, Spencer Martin will likely get his first start as a Blue Jacket.
Bobrovsky allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Panthers' loss in Minnesota on Thursday. Bobrovsky was outplayed by Filip Gustavsson, but it wasn't a bad start for the veteran netminder. He struggled in two games against the Jets (.857 SV%) a season ago and was 10-11-1 with a 3.27 GAA and .892 SV% on the road.
The Senators had to play one man short in their season opener because MacEwen was out, but he'll make his season debut on Saturday, giving the Senators a full lineup. MacEwen split his 2022-23 season between the Flyers and Kings, posting 10 points (4G / 6A), 150 hits, 66 PIMS and a minus-11 rating in 55 games.
Merzlikins stopped 33 of 35 shots in the Blue Jackets' season-opening loss to the Flyers. Despite the loss, it was an encouraging outing for Merzlikins, who struggled mightily during the 2022-23 season. Tonight he'll face a difficult test with the Rangers in town. They had an impressive opening night win over the Sabres.
Blueger was absent from the Canucks' season opening victory over Edmonton and will now be out for an undisclosed amount of time as he is week-to-week with a leg injury. The 28-year-old Latvian was signed to a one-year, $1.9 million contract in the offseason and will have to wait to make his much awaited Canucks debut. He had four goals, 12 assists, 30 PIMs, 85 SOG and a -9 plus/minus with Pittsburgh and Vegas in 2022-23.
Stecher was signed to a one-year, $1.1 million contract by Arizona during the offseason but will be the odd-man out for the Coyotes' first game vs. New Jersey. The 29-year-old defensemen had three goals, 11 assists, 88 SOG, 44 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in 81 games played with both Arizona and Calgary in 2022-23. He is entering his eighth NHL season and should find himself in the Coyotes' lineup more often than not.
MacEwen missed the Senators' opening night game due to an upper-body injury and will be a game-time decision for their second matchup of the season vs. Philadelphia. The 27-year-old bruising right-winger had four goals, six assists, 66 PIMs, 73 SOG, and a -11 plus/minus through 56 games with Philadelphia and Los Angeles in 2022-23.
After a fantastic rookie season in 2019-20, where he posted a 2.35 GAA and .923 SV% in 33 games (13-9-8), Merzlinkins has performed progressively worse each year. In 30 games last season (7-18-2), Merzlinkins had a horrendous 4.23 GAA and a .876 SV%. His league-worst GAA (minimum 10 starts) will need to be improved significantly or he will likely find himself battling for starts with backup goalie Spencer Martin. The Blue Jackets go into their season-opener listed as -113 home favourites against the Philadelphia Flyers.
After a fantastic rookie season in 2019-20, where he posted a 2.35 GAA and .923 SV% in 33 games (13-9-8), Merzlinkins has performed progressively worse each year. In 30 games last season (7-18-2), Merzlinkins had a horrendous 4.23 GAA and a .876 SV%. His league-worst GAA (minimum 10 starts) will need to be improved significantly or he will likely find himself battling for starts with backup goalie Spencer Martin. The Blue Jackets go into their season-opener listed as -113 home favourites against the Philadelphia Flyers.
In 50 games last season (24-20-3), Bobrovsky posted a very pedestrian 3.07 GAA and .901 SV% before ultimately losing priority in the crease to, then-Panthers' backup, Alex Lyon down the stretch. Bobrovsky regained his composure in the postseason, leading the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals with a 2.78 GAA and .915 SV% in 19 games (12-6-0). Bobrovsky is coming off a lacklustre preseason, posting a 2.75 GAA and .883 SV% in three games (1-2-0), and has been frustratingly inconsistent since joining the Panthers in 2019-20. It's difficult to predict what to expect from Bobrovsky as the Panthers are listed as +114 road underdogs in their season-opener against the Minnesota Wild.
Blueger participated in the Canucks' practice Tuesday but will still be a game-time decision ahead of their season opener vs. Edmonton due to a knee injury. The 29-year-old forward signed a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the Canucks in the offseason after posting four goals, 12 assists, 95 SOG, 30 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus in 63 games with Pittsburgh and Vegas in 2022-23.
Cowan was selected by the Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft (28th overall) and had an incredibly impressive training camp but has been reassigned to the London Knights (OHL) for the 2023-24 season. The 18-year-old forward returns to junior hockey where he had 20 goals, 33 assists, 47 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus in 68 games in 2022-23.
If MacEwen is unable to play in the season opener, the Senators will likely have to play with only 11 forwards. MacEwen recorded 10 points last season (4G / 6A) and 66 PIM across 56 games between the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings last season.
Blankenburg was fighting for a final roster spot in Columbus but has been assigned to Cleveland (AHL) for the start of the 2022-23 campaign. The 25-year-old defensemen had four goals, 10 assists, 50 SOG, 16 PIMs, and a -16 plus/minus through 36 games with Columbus in 2022-23. He will start the season in Cleveland but is expected to play a depth roll with the Blue Jackets as bodies are needed.
Muzzin was only able to play in four games in 2022-23 with the Maple Leafs and picked up an assist and eight SOG across that span before missing the majority of the season due to a Cervical Spine injury. He is expected to spend the entire 2023-24 season on the long-term injured reserve for the final year of his contract. The 34-year-old defensemen is currently sitting on 69 goals, 294 points, and 399 PIMs across 683 career games played.
