Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Utah Mammoth News

Trocheck (lower-body) is expected to play on Saturday.

Trocheck has missed the last seven games with a lower-body issue but the plan is for him to play on Saturday. Head coach Joel Quenneville told reporters that Trocheck "looked good" following Friday's practice, so expect an update a few hours prior to tomorrow's afternoon tilt. Trocheck has one goal and five assists (six points) in eight games this season.

Vincent Trocheck
The Capitals have recalled Liam O'Brien from Hershey (AHL).

Both Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nic Dowd are dealing with injuries and questionable for Friday's game, so O'Brien comes up and could make his season debut vs. Buffalo. The 25-year-old centre has just two points (1G / 1A) in 17 career NHL games and has registered three goals in his first nine AHL games this season.

Liam O'Brien
Schmidt (lower-body) will return to the Golden Knights lineup on Thursday.

Schmidt has been out since the season opener but will be back in the lineup vs. the Canadiens. Head coach Gerard Gallant did not disclose his D-pairs but Schmidt will likely be heavily utilized in his return. Schmidt had 30 points (9G / 21A) in 61 games last year.

Nate Schmidt
Trocheck (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision on Tuesday.

Trocheck missed Monday's practice and Tuesday's morning skate, suggesting that he will not be available for tonight's game vs. the Penguins. Head coach Joel Quenneville would not rule Trocheck out, listing him as questionable. The newly signed Brian Boyle will replace Trocheck in the lineup and Noel Acciari may move up to centre the second-line.

Vincent Trocheck
Trocheck (undisclosed) is questionable to play Tuesday vs. the Penguins.

Trocheck was absent from Monday's practice and head coach Joel Quenneville is unsure whether his second-line centre will be available on Tuesday. The Panthers recently signed Brian Boyle to a one-year deal and the veteran was skating in Trocheck's spot in Monday's session.

Vincent Trocheck
Hayton will make his NHL debut on Thursday.

Hayton sat as a healthy scratch during the first two games of the season, but the No.5 pick in 2018 will play Thursday vs. the Golden Knights. Hayton, who had 66 points (26G / 40A) in 39 OHL games last year, is expected to skate on a line with Christian Dvorak and Nick Schmaltz.

Barrett Hayton
Schmidt left Wednesday’s season opener with a lower-body injury and did not return.

Schmidt had to be aided off the ice following a knee-on-knee collision midway through the first period. Schmidt did not return and head coach Gerard Gallant did not have a postgame update. Expect the Golden Knights to release some more information on Thursday.

Nate Schmidt
The Coyotes have signed Clayton Keller to an 8-year deal worth $57.2 million ($7.15M AAV).

Keller was set to become a restricted free agent after this 2020 season but the Coyotes locked him up early. Keller had a tremendous rookie season but took a step backward in 2019 but his shooting percentage and on-ice SH% should see some positive regression in 2020. Keller’s new contract makes him the highest-paid forward on the Coyotes, surpassing Phil Kessel’s $6.8 AAV.

Clayton Keller