Yamamoto had been skating on the Oilers’ first line, but will be a healthy scratch vs. the Blackhawks. Drake Caggiula will replace him on the first line and Jesse Puljujarvi will draw-in on the third line.
Schmidt has not played yet this season because of a preseason suspension, but will return in a huge capacity on November 18th in Edmonton. During his first season with Vegas, Schmidt posted career-highs in goals (5), assists (31), points (36), shots (103), PPP (11) and time-on-ice (22:14 TOI/GM).
Rooney made his season debut with the Devils on Saturday, but went back to the AHL post-game. Rooney is one of the best penalty killers in the Devils organization, but doesn’t bring a lot of offence to the table—just 34 points (14G / 20A) in 71 games with Binghamton last year.
Hayton, 18, was the No.5 overall pick in this summer’s draft and made the Coyotes out of training camp but did not appear in either of their first two games. Hayton returns to the OHL, where he had 21 goals and 39 assists (60 points) in 63 games with the Greyhounds.
Hayton, 18, who was a bit of a surprise pick at No.5 overall this June, will likely head back to Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) for the 2019 season. Hayton had 21 goals and 39 assists (60 points) in 63 games last season will be given a shot to make the team, but the Coyotes have shown to be patient with their prospects in recent years.
Cole has good size (6-foot-1, 219 lbs.) who is a mainly a shutdown defenseman. Despite not having high-end ability or seeing power-play time, Cole has had 20-plus points in back-to-back seasons. Cole’s signing in Colorado suggests that Conor Timmins may not be in the NHL in 2019.
Connauton is coming off of his best season in the NHL, scoring 11 goals with 10 assists (21 points) in 73 games with the Coyotes. Connauton averaged just 15:11 TOI/GM, so expect him to serve as a third pairing defenseman again in 2019.
Hayton projects to be a middle-6 pivot thanks to his solid two-way game. Hayton had 21 goals and 39 assists (60 points) in 63 games with Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) this season and has a game that looks similar to Ducks’ centre Adam Henrique.
Schmidt has missed the last four games with an undisclosed injury but will play vs. the Sabres this afternoon. Schmidt, who has 30 points (5G / 25A) in 63 games this season, will skate with Brayden McNabb on the top-pairing.
Schmidt will miss his fourth straight game but will join the team in Buffalo on Friday and is expected to re-join the lineup on Saturday. With Schmidt still out, Brad Hunt will remain in the lineup in Detroit.
Tanev was a healthy scratch after being activated from IR but will draw in for Mark Scheifele tonight in New Jersey. Tanev will be playing in his first game since February 3rd and returns to the lineup with 12 points (4G / 8A) in 46 games this season.
There’s no word on what happened to Schmidt but his status for Friday’s game appears to be in question, according to head coach Gerrard Gallant. The Golden Knights have also lost Luca Sbisa, who will be sidelined long-term with an undisclosed injury of his own.
Cole was acquired in the Derick Brassard trade but was always expected to be flipped before the trade deadline. The 29-year-old can help on the offensive end and should slot in as a third-pairing defenseman with Columbus. He had 13 points (3G / 10A) in 47 games with the Penguins before his first trade.
