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| Pettinger sent down | Wednesday 10/8, 9:06 PM CT |
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Matt Pettinger was placed on waivers by the Canucks on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the left-winger cleared waivers and was sent to the AHL, according to the AP.
Our View: Pettinger has played 354 NHL games over seven seasons and will begin the season in the minor leagues. |
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| Sobotka sent to Providence | Wednesday 10/8, 8:17 PM CT |
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The AP reports that the Boston Bruins on Wednesday assigned center Vladimir Sobotka to Providence of the American Hockey League.
Our View: Sobotka scored one goal and added six assists in 48 games with Boston last season. He also notched 10 tallies and 20 points in 18 contests with Providence. |
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| LeNeveu called up | Wednesday 10/8, 8:14 PM CT |
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The Ducks called up goaltender David LeNeveu from Iowa of the American Hockey League according to the AP. The 25-year-old appeared in two preseason games for Anaheim, going 1-0-1 with a 2.40 goals-against average.
Our View: LeNeveu is 5-9-2 with a 3.38 GAA in 21 career NHL contests with Phoenix last season. He will backup Jean-Sebastien Giguere to start the season. |
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| Zidlicky will miss season opener | Wednesday 10/8, 6:40 PM CT |
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The AP reports that defenseman Marek Zidlicky is not expected to play in Saturday’s season opener due to a sprained ankle.
Our View: There is no timetable for his return, but we don't expect him to miss any more than a week. The blue-liner had 43 points in 79 games for his fantasy owners last season. |
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| Wild expect more of Sheppard in second season | Wednesday 10/8, 6:38 PM CT |
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In his second season, the Wild are expecting James Sheppard to play a much larger role. He feels he is up for it, according to the AP. “I’m just more confident right now,” he said. “I feel more like a professional hockey player. I know what the coaches are looking for. I know what I need to do to earn my ice time. I know what I need to do to make this team better."
Our View: Namely Sheppard will have to score more goals and rack up more assists. He had just four and 15, respectively, in 78 games last season. The departure of Pavol Demitra, who played a significant amount of minutes on a scoring line, created an opening for Sheppard to move up. |
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| Islanders claim Thompson | Wednesday 10/8, 6:17 PM CT |
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The New York Islanders claimed center Nate Thompson off waivers from the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, according to the AP.
Our View: The 24-year-old Thompson spent the last three seasons with Providence in the AHL, playing for new Islanders coach Scott Gordon. In 216 games with Providence, Thompson had 35 goals and 45 assists. He played four games for the Bruins in 2006-07. |
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| Janik sent to the Stars | Wednesday 10/8, 6:01 PM CT |
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The AP reports that the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday claimed defenseman Doug Janik off waivers from Dallas and traded him to the Stars for a conditional draft pick. Janik was signed by the Blackhawks as a free agent on July 15 and claimed off waivers by the Stars on October 2.
Our View: Janik registered a tally and four points in 61 contests with the Lightning last season. In 146 career games with the Sabres and Lightning, Janik has notched three goals, 12 assists and 119 penalty minutes. |
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| McLaren assigned to AHL | Wednesday 10/8, 5:35 PM CT |
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The AP reports that Kyle McLaren passed through waivers and has been assigned to Worcester of the American Hockey League.
Our View: The defenseman recorded three goals and eight assists in 61 games for San Jose last season - his fifth with the team after being acquired from the Boston Bruins in 2003.
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| Nycholat placed on injured reserve | Wednesday 10/8, 4:34 PM CT |
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Recently acquired defenseman Lawrence Nycholat was placed on injured reserve by Vancouver on Wednesday with a back injury he suffered four days ago against the Anaheim Ducks, according to the AP.
Our View: Nycholat appeared in just three games last season and is little more than an NHL prospect. He is not a fantasy prospect. |
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| Gaustad placed on injury list | Wednesday 10/8, 4:31 PM CT |
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The Miami Herald reports that Paul Gaustad was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday by Buffalo. Gaustad is expected to miss the next three to four weeks after undergoing surgery last week to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.
Our View: The 26-year-old North Dakota native has played in parts of four seasons with the Sabres, tallying career-highs with 10 goals and 36 points in 82 games last season. He does not have any fantasy value. |
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| Eager suspended for three games | Wednesday 10/8, 2:52 PM CT |
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Ben Eager has been suspended for three games for swinging his stick at Sean Avery while sitting on the bench during Thursday's game against the Stars, according to TSN.
Our View: He was assessed a match penalty for the incident. Eager will be eligible to return on October 15 against the Coyotes. He won't score much, but will hold some value in leagues that award points for penalty minutes, as he registered 89 over 32 games in 2007.
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| Semenov re-signs with Sharks | Wednesday 10/8, 2:48 PM CT |
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Alexei Semenov has signed a one-year deal to remain with the Sharks, according to TSN. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Our View: The defenseman only contributed 25 points over 164 games in the NHL, and holds no fantasy value for 2008 with San Jose. |
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| Lindstrom back with Ducks | Wednesday 10/8, 1:32 PM CT |
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Anaheim has reclaimed center Joakim Lindstrom off waivers from Chicago, according to the LA Times.
Our View: Lindstrom has been assigned to AHL affiliate Iowa, and will hold no fantasy value. He only has eight points (four goals) over 37 career games with Columbus. |
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| Lundmark clears waivers | Wednesday 10/8, 1:28 PM CT |
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Jamie Lundmark has cleared waivers with Calgary and will be assigned to AHL affiliate Quad City, according to the Calgary Herald.
Our View: Lundmark could get called up by the Flames at some point this season, depending on injuries, but would hold little fantasy value. |
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| Adams released by Chicago | Wednesday 10/8, 1:24 PM CT |
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Kevyn Adams has been released by the Blackhawks, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Our View: Adams, who turned 34 today, was viewed as a longshot to make the club. He has never scored more than 29 points in his 10-year career. |
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| Ledin sent to AHL | Wednesday 10/8, 1:19 PM CT |
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Per Ledin has been sent down to AHL Lake Erie by the Avalanche, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Our View: The 30-year-old is tough and aggressive, but was unable to earn a roster spot among a talented arsenal of forwards. |
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| Hensick sent down | Wednesday 10/8, 1:16 PM CT |
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T.J. Hensick has been sent down to AHL Lake Erie by the Avalanche, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Our View: Hensick has solid offensive skills, but was unable to crack the final roster at center. He should be called up at some point during the season, and would be worth picking up if he gets enough minutes on the ice. |
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| Backes to work with Oshie | Wednesday 10/8, 1:10 PM CT |
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David Backes is going to work on a line with T.J. Oshie and Keith Tkachuk, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Our View: Backes finished fifth in the NHL last season with 240 hits, and has racked up 54 points over 121 games in his first two seasons with St. Louis. He is worthy of acquiring as a flier for deeper leagues. |
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| Parent to miss three months | Wednesday 10/8, 1:03 PM CT |
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Ryan Parent is expected to miss the next three months (or up to 14 weeks) due to a shoulder injury, according to the Courier Post.
Our View: He was expected to be ready to start in the season opener, but it has been revealed that the defenseman is dealing with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, which will require surgery after rest and rehab did not work. |
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| Barker sent down by Chicago | Wednesday 10/8, 12:37 PM CT |
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Cam Barker has been sent down to the minors by Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Our View: Barker fared well in training camp, but his salary cap hit of $2.8 million and the play of Niklas Hjalmarsson combined to seal Chicago's decision to send him down (AHL Rockford).
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| Brassard resumes practicing | Wednesday 10/8, 12:33 PM CT |
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As expected, Derick Brassard returned to practice Tuesday, according to the Columbus Dispatch. He missed a week while dealing with a strained neck.
Our View: The rookie indicated he has full range of motion in his neck and, besides feeling a bit tired, is ready to play. He is slated to work on the second line, and is worth targeting as a flier.
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| MacKenzie waived by Columbus | Wednesday 10/8, 12:29 PM CT |
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Derek Mackenzie has been waived by the Blue Jackets, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Our View: He will be assigned to AHL affiliate Syracuse if he passes through waivers. He wasn't expected to make much of a contribution if he nailed down a roster spot with Columbus. |
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| Leclaire returns to practice | Wednesday 10/8, 12:26 PM CT |
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Pascal Leclaire returned to practice Tuesday after spraining his ankle last Friday, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Our View: He feels ready to go for Friday's season opener, and should build upon his strong 2007 campaign, when he notably registered nine shutouts. |
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| Leino sent to the AHL | Wednesday 10/8, 12:22 PM CT |
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Ville Leino has been demoted to AHL Grand Rapids, according to the Detroit News.
Our View: The winger turned heads with a strong preseason, but Detroit is too deep at the position for him to nail down a roster spot. He has a future with the club, and will benefit from a year in the minors to further develop his skills. |
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| Helm sent down | Wednesday 10/8, 12:16 PM CT |
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Darren Helm has been sent down to AHL Grand Rapids, according to the Detroit News.
Our View: Helm fared well during Detroit's run at the Stanley Cup in 2007, but could not crack the final roster this season among a deep and talented group of centers. He should spend time with the team at some point during the season, but does not merit fantasy attention for the time being. |
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| LaRose promoted | Wednesday 10/8, 12:12 PM CT |
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Chad LaRose has been promoted to Carolina's third line to replace the injured Scott Walker, according to the Raleigh News and Observer.
Our View: Carolina's third line is defense oriented, and LaRose won't likely be productive enough to consider for standard fantasy rosters. |
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| Gratton sent to minors | Wednesday 10/8, 12:08 PM CT |
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Josh Gratton has been sent down to AHL Milwaukee, according to the Tennessean.
Our View: Gratton would not have held any fantasy value while serving as a reserve with Nashville. |
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| Olesz won't be suspended | Wednesday 10/8, 12:03 PM CT |
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Rostislav Olesz won't be suspended for hitting Chris Lee of the Islanders from behind, according to TSN.
Our View: Lee was carried off the ice on a stretcher and taken to the hospital, but NHL officials reviewed the video of the incident, and felt Olesz did not merit a suspension. |
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| Chorney sent down | Wednesday 10/8, 10:55 AM CT |
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Taylor Chorney has been sent down to the minors (Springfield Falcons), according to the Edmonton Sun.
Our View: Chorney has solid potential, but the young defenseman will hold no fantasy value in standard leagues for the immediate future. |
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| Little nursing hip pointer | Wednesday 10/8, 10:51 AM CT |
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Bryan Little is out of action while nursing a hip pointer, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Our View: He is considered day-to-day. He scored 16 points (six goals) in 2007 and looks to improve upon those totals this season, but not likely to the point to make his fantasy worthy in standard leagues. |
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| Williams will play Friday | Wednesday 10/8, 10:47 AM CT |
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Jason Williams will play in Friday's season opener after being held out with an undisclosed injury, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Our View: Williams only scored 13 goals last season, but six came on the power-play, and he could be a pleasant surprise while anchoring the top line with Atlanta. Four of his goals were game-winners as well. |
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| Fistric demoted to minors | Wednesday 10/8, 10:41 AM CT |
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Mark Fistric has been demoted to the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League, according to the Star-Telegram.
Our View: The young defenseman only registered two assists and 24 penalty minutes over 37 games with Dallas last season, and would have held no fantasy if he made the final roster. |
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| Fedorov clears waivers with Devils | Wednesday 10/8, 10:37 AM CT |
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Fedor Fedorov has cleared waivers with the Devils and will likely be assigned to AHL Lowell, according to the Bergen Record.
Our View: He may still return to Russia as an option. As for this season with New Jersey, he would hold no fantasy value. |
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| Fisher skating on his own | Wednesday 10/8, 10:31 AM CT |
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Mike Fisher skated on his own Tuesday and is expected to do the same today, according to the Ottawa Sun. He has been recovering from a groin injury.
Our View: If all goes favorably, he'll practice with the team tomorrow. There is a chance he can take the ice Saturday against Detroit. |
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| Bass sent to minors | Wednesday 10/8, 10:28 AM CT |
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Cody Bass has been sent to the minors, according to the Ottawa Sun.
Our View: The young center exudes toughness, but was unable to crack the Senators' solid veteran roster. |
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| Legace will start Friday | Wednesday 10/8, 9:40 AM CT |
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Manny Legace will be the Blues' starting goalie in Friday's season opener against Nashville, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Our View: Chris Mason will get the nod Saturday against the Islanders. The 35-year-old Legace should split time with Mason regularly to help keep him intact over the full course of the season. |
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| King resumes practicing | Wednesday 10/8, 9:36 AM CT |
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DJ King resumed practicing Tuesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He has been nursing a wrist ailment.
Our View: The young winger played in a career-high 61 games with St. Louis last season, and racked up 100 penalty minutes, giving him some fantasy value for leagues that award points in the stat category. |
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| Hinote practices | Wednesday 10/8, 9:33 AM CT |
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Dan Hinote was able to return to practice Tuesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He has been dealing with a cut on his leg (which required 50 stitches) and said, "It's still a little tender. But it felt pretty good. We'll go from here."
Our View: He could be available for Friday, but will hold no fantasy value. He only averages 10 points over two seasons with the Blues. |
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| Junland continues to practice | Wednesday 10/8, 9:27 AM CT |
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Jonas Junland continues to practice but it doesn't appear that he will return to the lineup anytime soon, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Coach Andy Murray said, "Once we feel that he's stronger, then we'll be prepared to put him in a game, not before then."
Our View: The defenseman sustained a shoulder injury around two weeks ago. Even when he does return, he is not likely going to make much of a fantasy impact. |
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| Higgins remains out | Wednesday 10/8, 9:21 AM CT |
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Christopher Higgins remains out of action while dealing with a groin injury, according to the Montreal Gazette.
Our View: He is expected to play in the season opener, but ranks as a risky fantasy forward as the injury has bothered him through most of training camp. |
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| Murray demoted | Wednesday 10/8, 9:11 AM CT |
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Garth Murray has been demoted to AHL San Antonio, according to the Arizona Republic.
Our View: Murray fared well during camp, but was still viewed as a longshot to make the Coyotes. |
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| Jones sent down to AHL | Wednesday 10/8, 9:08 AM CT |
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Matt Jones has been sent down to AHL San Antonio, according to the Arizona Republic.
Our View: The Coyotes are thin at the defenseman position, so Jones will likely get called up, potentially early in the season. But he will hold no fantasy value. |
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| Friesen's spot remains in question | Wednesday 10/8, 9:05 AM CT |
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Jeff Friesen's spot on the Sharks' final roster remains in question, according to the Mercury News.
Our View: He has fared well in training camp but the club is undecided if they will offer him a contract. If he does get a deal, he will not be fantasy worthy. |
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| Weiss practices | Wednesday 10/8, 8:43 AM CT |
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Stephen Weiss, who had been dealing with a groin ailment, practiced Tuesday without any issues, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Our View: He is expected to be fine for Friday's season opener. If fully healthy, Weiss still has 20-goal potential despite dipping to 13 in 2007. |
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| Murphy waived by Panthers | Wednesday 10/8, 8:39 AM CT |
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Cory Murphy has been waived by the Panthers, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Our View: If he is not claimed by another team by noon today, he will remain with the Panthers. If he does remain with Florida, he will hold no fantasy value. |
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| Connolly returns to practice | Wednesday 10/8, 8:15 AM CT |
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Tim Connolly returned to practice Tuesday following his bout with a back ailment, according to the Buffalo News.
Our View: He played in just one preseason contest, but expects to be ready to go for Friday's season opener. Connolly is a solid source of scoring, but unfortunately cannot stay healthy, as he missed 133 games over the last three seasons. |
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| Stafford practices | Wednesday 10/8, 8:04 AM CT |
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Drew Stafford practiced Tuesday after sustaining a "cauliflower ear" in a fight last week, according to the Buffalo News.
Our View: He should be good to go for the season opener Friday. He could challenge 20 goals and 50 points if he can remain intact over the full season. |
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| Holmstrom misses practice | Wednesday 10/8, 7:29 AM CT |
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Tomas Holmstrom missed practice Tuesday while nursing his foot ailment, according to the Detroit News.
Our View: Holmstrom is questionable for Thursday's season opener. If healthy, he would get plenty of scoring chances while working on Detroit's top line. |
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| Ericsson sent down | Wednesday 10/8, 7:08 AM CT |
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Jonathan Ericsson has been sent down to the minors by Detroit, according to the Detroit News.
Our View: The talented defenseman has a future with the Red Wings, but will hold no fantasy value in standard leagues for the time being. |
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| Howard placed on injured list | Wednesday 10/8, 7:04 AM CT |
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Jimmy Howard has been placed on the injured list to begin the season due to his broken finger, according to the Detroit News.
Our View: The goalie will be sent to AHL Grand Rapids when his finger heals. |
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| McCarty placed on injured list | Wednesday 10/8, 7:01 AM CT |
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Darren McCarty has been placed on the injured list to begin the season due to a groin injury, according to the Detroit News.
Our View: McCarty hasn't reached at least 20 points in a season since 2002, and holds little to no fantasy value, depending on league scoring for penalty minutes. |
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