player info
Jeff Jillson, Boston Bruins - Jillson scored two powerplay goals last night in a 3-3 tie with the Devils. The rookie defenseman quarterbacked the powerplay and showed flashes of brilliance that many expected from him before he even came into the NHL. If Jillson can continue to get powerplay time, he will be a real asset and should be picked up in most fantasy leagues.
Valeri Bure, Florida Panthers - Valeri Bure, who is suffering from a minor groin injury, returned to practice but is questionable for tonight's game against the Hurricanes. Bure thinks he'll be able to play but coach Mike Keenan seemed more cautious.
Scott Niedermayer, New Jersey Devils - Niedermayer was brilliant in last night's 3-3 tie against the Bruins, scoring two goals, logging over 25 minutes of icetime and preventing a goal from getting by Martin Brodeur. Because of his incredible all-around play and low key personality, Niedermayer is a much better "real life" than fantasy defenseman but he is still a great option in fantasy leagues.
John LeClair, Philadelphia Flyers - As reported yesterday, LeClair will be sidelined for up to four weeks with a fractured foot. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the injury isn't too serious as the fracture is on the side of his foot beside his toe and that LeClair can actually come back whenever he can tolerate the pain. Team doctors believe that will be between two and four weeks, meaning he will probably miss around six games.
Mark Recchi, Philadelphia Flyers - Due to LeClair's foot injury, Recchi is a prime candidate to be moved up to play on the #1 line with Jeremy Roenick and Tony Amonte. If this is the case, Recchi's value gets a significant boost.
Cory Stillman, Tampa Bay Lightning - Stillman left yesterday's practice early due to back spasms. However, the Lightning training staff doesn't believe the injury is serious and by most indications, he will be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Bruins.
Dan Boyle, Tampa Bay Lightning - Boyle, who in inactive for Monday's practice, returned to the ice yesterday and is expected to play in Thursday's game against the Bruins.
Jaromir Jagr, Washington Capitals - Jagr is expected to start the season on a line with Boyd Gordon and Kip Miller. The second unit will be comprised of Mike Grier, Robert Lang and Dainius Zubrus and Steve Konowalchuk, Jeff Halpern and Peter Bondra will play on the checking line. Out of all these players, Bondra's value is the most hurt by this arrangement.
Andy McDonald, Anaheim Mighty Ducks - McDonald is slated to return to the Ducks' lineup on October 17, reports the LA Times. He has been sidelined since last February with a serious concussion.
Jason Allison, Los Angeles Kings - Allison, who is still suffering from effects of whiplash from last year, will not be in the lineup for tonight's game against the Red Wings. Teammates Adam Deadmarsh (concussion) and Aaron Miller (wrist) will also not be ready to go. Allison and Deadmarsh are expected to be sidelined for at least three games and quite possibly more.
Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars - Lehtinen suffered a shoulder injury in last night's game against the Mighty Ducks and will not practice today as a result. It is unclear how serious the injury is but Lehtinen is officially listed as day-to-day.
Pascal Dupuis, Minnesota Wild - Dupuis may play in Europe this year, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Dupuis' agent is claiming that his client has gotten several offers from European clubs who are willing to pay the winger significantly more than what the Wild have offered. If that is the case, it's doubtful he will be in the NHL this year. Meanwhile, there is nothing new on the Marian Gaborik front except that Gaborik played his eighth and final game in Slovakia yesterday. He won't play any more as that would make him ineligible for the NHL this season but contract talks with the Wild are still stalled.
Scott Mellanby, St. Louis Blues - Mellanby will miss at least the Blues' first two regular season games with a rib cage injury, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The winger injured himself last week in a preseason game and has not skated since. Though he may attempt to get back on the ice this weekend, the Blues are being cautious in case he has some sort of small fracture that X-rays have failed to detect.
Saku Koivu, Montreal Canadiens - Koivu, who injured his knee in preseason play, did not make the trip to Ottawa and will not play in tonight's game against the Senators. He will also missed the weekend game against the Maple Leafs, but hopes to be back in the lineup for next week's home opener against the Capitals.
Martin Havlat, Ottawa Senators - The Senators have given Havlat an ultimatum - accept the team's two-year, $2.85 million offer by this evening or spend the rest of the season either playing in Europe or sitting at home. Havlat has refused to comment on the situation but he has already rejected this exact same offer, so it would be a bit of a surprise if he accepted. Stay tuned.
goalie info
Kevin Weekes, Carolina Hurricanes - Weekes will be the starter for Thursday's game against the Panthers, reports the Raleigh News-Observer.
Jeff Hackett, Philadelphia Flyers - Hackett will be the starter for Thursday's game against the Sabres, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers - Luongo is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Hurricanes, reports the Raleigh News-Observer.
Garth Snow, New York Islanders - Snow is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Capitals, reports the New York Newsday.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim Mighty Ducks - Giguere is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Predators.
Pasi Nurminen, Atlanta Thrashers - Nurminen is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Blue Jackets. Take this one with caution as coach Marc Crawford has not indicated one way or another whether Nurminen or Byron Dafoe will go into the season as the team's #1 goalie. We'll try and update on this situation before the opening faceoff.
Martin Biron, Buffalo Sabres - Biron is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Flyers.
Roman Turek, Calgary Flames - Turek is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canucks.
Marc Denis, Columbus Blue Jackets - Denis is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Thrashers.
Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings - Hasek is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Kings.
Tommy Salo, Edmonton Oilers - Salo is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Sharks.
Roman Cechmanek, Los Angeles Kings - Cechmanek is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Red Wings.
Jose Theodore, Montreal Canadiens - Theodore is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Senators.
Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators - Vokoun is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Mighty Ducks.
Patrick Lalime, Ottawa Senators - Lalime is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canadiens.
Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks - Nabokov is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Oilers.
Dan Cloutier, Vancouver Canucks - Cloutier is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Flames.
Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals - Kolzig is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Islanders.
Jani Hurme, Atlanta Thrashers - Hurme has had a bad back and has not practiced with the Thrashers since joining the team on Sunday.
Jean-Sebastien Aubin, Pittsburgh Penguins - In order to make room for Marc-Andre Fleury, Aubin was waived by the Penguins yesterday. If he is not claimed by another NHL club, Aubin will be re-assigned or loaned to a minor league affiliate. Since Fleury and Sebastien Caron are both young and expected to remain in Pittsburgh for the forseeable future, Aubin has literally no fantasy value.
Jeff Jillson, Boston Bruins - Jillson scored two powerplay goals last night in a 3-3 tie with the Devils. The rookie defenseman quarterbacked the powerplay and showed flashes of brilliance that many expected from him before he even came into the NHL. If Jillson can continue to get powerplay time, he will be a real asset and should be picked up in most fantasy leagues.
Valeri Bure, Florida Panthers - Valeri Bure, who is suffering from a minor groin injury, returned to practice but is questionable for tonight's game against the Hurricanes. Bure thinks he'll be able to play but coach Mike Keenan seemed more cautious.
Scott Niedermayer, New Jersey Devils - Niedermayer was brilliant in last night's 3-3 tie against the Bruins, scoring two goals, logging over 25 minutes of icetime and preventing a goal from getting by Martin Brodeur. Because of his incredible all-around play and low key personality, Niedermayer is a much better "real life" than fantasy defenseman but he is still a great option in fantasy leagues.
John LeClair, Philadelphia Flyers - As reported yesterday, LeClair will be sidelined for up to four weeks with a fractured foot. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the injury isn't too serious as the fracture is on the side of his foot beside his toe and that LeClair can actually come back whenever he can tolerate the pain. Team doctors believe that will be between two and four weeks, meaning he will probably miss around six games.
Mark Recchi, Philadelphia Flyers - Due to LeClair's foot injury, Recchi is a prime candidate to be moved up to play on the #1 line with Jeremy Roenick and Tony Amonte. If this is the case, Recchi's value gets a significant boost.
Cory Stillman, Tampa Bay Lightning - Stillman left yesterday's practice early due to back spasms. However, the Lightning training staff doesn't believe the injury is serious and by most indications, he will be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Bruins.
Dan Boyle, Tampa Bay Lightning - Boyle, who in inactive for Monday's practice, returned to the ice yesterday and is expected to play in Thursday's game against the Bruins.
Jaromir Jagr, Washington Capitals - Jagr is expected to start the season on a line with Boyd Gordon and Kip Miller. The second unit will be comprised of Mike Grier, Robert Lang and Dainius Zubrus and Steve Konowalchuk, Jeff Halpern and Peter Bondra will play on the checking line. Out of all these players, Bondra's value is the most hurt by this arrangement.
Andy McDonald, Anaheim Mighty Ducks - McDonald is slated to return to the Ducks' lineup on October 17, reports the LA Times. He has been sidelined since last February with a serious concussion.
Jason Allison, Los Angeles Kings - Allison, who is still suffering from effects of whiplash from last year, will not be in the lineup for tonight's game against the Red Wings. Teammates Adam Deadmarsh (concussion) and Aaron Miller (wrist) will also not be ready to go. Allison and Deadmarsh are expected to be sidelined for at least three games and quite possibly more.
Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars - Lehtinen suffered a shoulder injury in last night's game against the Mighty Ducks and will not practice today as a result. It is unclear how serious the injury is but Lehtinen is officially listed as day-to-day.
Pascal Dupuis, Minnesota Wild - Dupuis may play in Europe this year, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Dupuis' agent is claiming that his client has gotten several offers from European clubs who are willing to pay the winger significantly more than what the Wild have offered. If that is the case, it's doubtful he will be in the NHL this year. Meanwhile, there is nothing new on the Marian Gaborik front except that Gaborik played his eighth and final game in Slovakia yesterday. He won't play any more as that would make him ineligible for the NHL this season but contract talks with the Wild are still stalled.
Scott Mellanby, St. Louis Blues - Mellanby will miss at least the Blues' first two regular season games with a rib cage injury, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The winger injured himself last week in a preseason game and has not skated since. Though he may attempt to get back on the ice this weekend, the Blues are being cautious in case he has some sort of small fracture that X-rays have failed to detect.
Saku Koivu, Montreal Canadiens - Koivu, who injured his knee in preseason play, did not make the trip to Ottawa and will not play in tonight's game against the Senators. He will also missed the weekend game against the Maple Leafs, but hopes to be back in the lineup for next week's home opener against the Capitals.
Martin Havlat, Ottawa Senators - The Senators have given Havlat an ultimatum - accept the team's two-year, $2.85 million offer by this evening or spend the rest of the season either playing in Europe or sitting at home. Havlat has refused to comment on the situation but he has already rejected this exact same offer, so it would be a bit of a surprise if he accepted. Stay tuned.
goalie info
Kevin Weekes, Carolina Hurricanes - Weekes will be the starter for Thursday's game against the Panthers, reports the Raleigh News-Observer.
Jeff Hackett, Philadelphia Flyers - Hackett will be the starter for Thursday's game against the Sabres, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers - Luongo is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Hurricanes, reports the Raleigh News-Observer.
Garth Snow, New York Islanders - Snow is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Capitals, reports the New York Newsday.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim Mighty Ducks - Giguere is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Predators.
Pasi Nurminen, Atlanta Thrashers - Nurminen is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Blue Jackets. Take this one with caution as coach Marc Crawford has not indicated one way or another whether Nurminen or Byron Dafoe will go into the season as the team's #1 goalie. We'll try and update on this situation before the opening faceoff.
Martin Biron, Buffalo Sabres - Biron is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Flyers.
Roman Turek, Calgary Flames - Turek is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canucks.
Marc Denis, Columbus Blue Jackets - Denis is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Thrashers.
Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings - Hasek is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Kings.
Tommy Salo, Edmonton Oilers - Salo is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Sharks.
Roman Cechmanek, Los Angeles Kings - Cechmanek is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Red Wings.
Jose Theodore, Montreal Canadiens - Theodore is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Senators.
Tomas Vokoun, Nashville Predators - Vokoun is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Mighty Ducks.
Patrick Lalime, Ottawa Senators - Lalime is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canadiens.
Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks - Nabokov is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Oilers.
Dan Cloutier, Vancouver Canucks - Cloutier is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Flames.
Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals - Kolzig is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Islanders.
Jani Hurme, Atlanta Thrashers - Hurme has had a bad back and has not practiced with the Thrashers since joining the team on Sunday.
Jean-Sebastien Aubin, Pittsburgh Penguins - In order to make room for Marc-Andre Fleury, Aubin was waived by the Penguins yesterday. If he is not claimed by another NHL club, Aubin will be re-assigned or loaned to a minor league affiliate. Since Fleury and Sebastien Caron are both young and expected to remain in Pittsburgh for the forseeable future, Aubin has literally no fantasy value.
