McIlrath only appeared in one game this season, sitting as a healthy scratch in six games of the first seven games. McIlrath went unclaimed, so he’ll go back to Hartford, where he had 17 points (6G / 11A) in 73 games in 2014-15.
Sgarbossa, 24, has just one assist in 10 career NHL games, but has put up solid numbers at the AHL level. Expect him to come in an play on the Ducks fourth line.
van Riemsdyk was set to face-off against his brother James tonight vs. the Maple Leafs, but he was spotted wearing a sling this morning after leaving last night’s game. Sporting a sling usually suggests a fairly serious injury and it will almost certainly keep him out of tonight’s contest.
Lindgren started the year with the Canadiens as Al Montoya's backup while Carey Price was sidelined with the flu, but Price is back and will start on Thursday, which ends Lindgren's time with the big club.
Dowd was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the year, but will replace Kyle Clifford in Tuesday’s lineup. The 26-year-old centre had 48 points (14G / 34A) in 58 games with the Manchester Monarchs (AHL) a season ago.
Chychrun had one assist and one shot on goal in 12:09 TOI in his NH debut on Saturday, but will come out of the lineup on Tuesday. The rookie defenseman had an impressive preseason and debut, but will be replaced by Kevin Connauton in the lineup tonight.
Strome was a healthy scratch in the first game of the season, but will replace Christian Dvorak in Tuesday’s lineup in Ottawa. Strome was the third overall pick in 2015. He oozes with offensive talent and comes into 2016-17 having put up 111 points (37G / 74A) in 56 games with Erie (OHL) last year.
McIlrath was a healthy scratch in the first two games of the season, but with Daniel Girardi out of the lineup with a groin injury, McIlrath will step in. The 24-year-old had two goals and two assists (four points) in 34 games last year.
Beauvillier had one assist in 10:52 in his NHL debut on Thursday, but was a healthy scratch in last night’s game vs. the Capitals. With Shane Prince getting injured and going on IR, Beauvillier will re-enter the lineup on Sunday.
Dubois, 18, was selected third overall this summer but couldn’t crack the Blue Jackets opening night roster. He was on the 23-man roster but only for cap purposes. Dubois heads back to the QMJHL where he had 99 points (42G / 57A) in 62 games last season.
With Carey Price (illness) out for the season opener, Lindgren comes up from St. John’s to backup Al Montoya on Thursday. Lindgren won his NHL debut last year and posted a 30-9-1 record, 2.13 GAA and .925 SV% with St. Cloud State (NCHC) before signing with the Habs.
Chychrun has reportedly had a tremendous training camp with the Coyotes after dropping to the No.16 pick in this summer’s draft. Chychrun has been playing top-pair minutes, averaging 24:19 TOI/GM through his first four preseason games. “Jakob is an elite skater,” Coyotes GM John Chayka. “His lateral mobility has been very good. His gaps have been very good. Physically, he's a man. Unlike a lot of 18 year olds, he isn't physically overmatched [in the NHL]. The next three preseason games will be telling, but there’s a strong chance Chychrun at least starts the year in Arizona instead of Sarnia (OHL).
McIlrath, 24, had two goals and two assists in 34 regular season games and appeared in one playoff game last year. With Dan Boyle moving on from New York, McIlrath will likely have a full-time spot on the Rangers’ blueline this season.
Dowd, 26, forced the Kings to give him a look this year, after collecting 48 points (14G / 34A) in 58 games with Ontario (AHL). In his brief, five-game stint with the Kings he failed to record a point. Dowd will try and crack the NHL roster in training camp, but there’s a good chance he starts the year back in the AHL.
Backstrom has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, but will return tonight vs. the Penguins. Backstrom has had a strong season, picking up 20 goals and 47 assists (67 points) in 73 games. He has been a point per game player in four games against Pittsburgh—picking up one goal and three assists.
Lindgren replaced Ben Scrivens as the Canadiens backup after finishing his season with St. Cloud State (NCAA). The 22-year-old went 30-9-1 with a 2.13 GAA and .925 SV% in 40 starts with the Huskies. He will make his NHL debut against a Hurricanes team that has gone 4-3-3 while averaging 2.30 goals per game in their last 10.
