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.
Weegar has been a healthy scratch for the lsat three games, but he will replace Ian McCoshen tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. Weegar has not done much offensively this season, scoring just one goal with four assists while averaging 14:12 TOI/GM in 37 contests.
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.
Weegar played just 11:39 TOI on Saturday and will come out of the lineup tonight vs. the Panthers. Ian McCoshen will replace Weegar on the blueline.
Tanev is dealing with an upper-body injury and is not going to play Tuesday and could miss a couple of weeks. There’s no word when Tanev suffered the injury but a call-up from Manitoba (AHL) is likely to be announced before tomorrow’s game.
Sergachev was a healthy scratch for the last two games but based on the morning skate he should re-enter the lineup on Tuesday and play with Anton Stralman. He might be back on the second power-play unit as well as it looks like Victor Hedman will also be back in the lineup and take his spot back on the top unit.
