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NHL Hockey Player News
Bolduc (lower-body) is questionable for the Canadiens' season opener.

Bolduc missed Friday's practice and Saturday's preseason finale and is considered day-to-day as the regular season approaches. For now he's considered questionable to play in the season opener on Wednesday. Expect Joe Veleno to replace him in the lineup if Bolduc can't play.

Zack Bolduc
Demidov (wrist) won't miss any time, will play in the Canadiens' season opener.

Demidov left Tuesday's game with a wrist injury, but the Canadiens said he was pulled for "precautionary reasons." Demidov was also held out of the lineup for Saturday's preseason finale, but there's no concern for his availability for the season opener on Wednesday.

Ivan Demidov
Dobson (groin) played in Saturday's preseason game, setting him up to play in the Canadiens' season opener.

Dobson returned to the Canadiens' lineup in Saturday's preseason finale after suffering a groin injury vs. Toronto on September 25th. Dobson, who was acquired in a big trade with the Islanders this offseason, is expected to open the season on a pair with Mike Matheson.

Noah Dobson
Brodin (upper-body) is questionable for the Wild's season opener.

Brodin, who had offseason surgery on an upper-body injury, is questionable for the Wild's season opener on Thursday. There was hope that he'd be ready, but he's "stagnated a little bit," according to head coach John Hynes. If Brodin is unavailable, David Jiriceck is expected to be in the opening night lineup.

Jonas Brodin
Girard (lower-body) made his preseason debut on Saturday and is likely to play in Colorado's season opener.

Girard missed almost all of the preseason, but made his debut in Colorado's finale on Saturday. This is a good sign that Girard will be available for their season opener, but Colorado also waived two defensemen on Sunday, furthering the belief that Girard is good-to-go for Tuesday.

Samuel Girard
Vlasic (lower-body) will travel to Florida and could play in the Blackhawks' season opener.

Vlasic had his preseason cut short due to a lower-body injury, and his status for the season opener is up in the air. The Blackhawks are expected to take eight defensemen to Florida, and Ethan Del Mastro is expected to take his spot in the lineup if he's unable to go.

Alex Vlasic
Janmark (undisclosed) is still one or two weeks away from returning to Oilers' lineup.

Janmark is expected to start the season on injured reserve, making room on the roster for couple of newcomers to make their Oilers debut on opening night. Depending how players like Ike Howard, David Tomasek, Matthew Savoie, and Noah Philp start the season, Janmark could have a difficult time cracking the Oilers lineup this season.

Mattias Janmark
Walman (undisclosed) suffered a setback and is questionable for Edmonton's opener on Wednesday.

Walman hasn't officially been ruled out for the season opener, but Oilers' head coach Kris Knoblauch said it's unlikely. With Walman injured, Alec Regula may skate with Darnell Nurse in the season opener.

Jake Walman
Power (undisclosed) should be available for the Sabres' season opener.

Power has been sidelined after he "strained something" during Monday's practice, but head coach expects him to be ready for their season opener on October 9th. Power's availability will be key because the Sabres are already without Michael Kesselring and possibly Mattias Samuelsson on the blueline.

Owen Power
Kesselring (undisclosed) is considered week-to-week.

Kesselring left the Sabres' preseason game on October 1st after aggravating an injury that he'd been dealing with throughout camp. Sabres' head coach Lindy Ruff said that Kesselring will be re-evaluated on a week-to-week basis, effectively ruling him out for the start of the regular season.

Michael Kesselring
Perfetti is week-to-week with an ankle sprain.

Perfetti suffered the ankle injury during the Jets' preseason finale after delivering a hit on Kevin Bahl in the second period. With Perfetti out to open the season, that opens a door in the Jets' top-6 and on the top power-play unit. Nikita Chibrikov is expected to get the first crack on the second-line with Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist, while it will likely be Alex Iafallo on PP1.

Cole Perfetti
McBain (illness) will be ready for Utah's season opener on October 9th.

McBain has battled an illness and an injury that have limited his preseason availability, but he will be ready to play in Utah's season opener next week. The 25-year-old McBain was productive from Utah's bottom-six last season, scoring a career-high 27 points (13G / 14A) and tallying 291 hits in 82 contests.

Jack McBain
Cooley (undisclosed) will be ready for Utah's season opener on October 9th.

Cooley has been absent for most of the preseason, tending to an undisclosed injury, but will be available to play in Utah's season opener next week. The 20-year-old Cooley is coming off a breakout sophomore campaign, scoring 65 points (25G / 40A) in 75 games. He's slated to center a potentially dynamic top-line for an exciting and young Utah Mammoth club between Dylan Guenther and JJ Peterka.

Logan Cooley
Kotkaniemi (upper-body) returned to practice in a no-contract sweater on Friday.

Kotkaniemi is inching closer to a return but still has not been cleared for contact. The 25-year-old Kotkaniemi, the third-overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, scored 33 points (12G / 21A) in 78 games last season. It's unclear when he will return to full-contact drills at practice.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi