Galchenyuk is officially listed as a game-time decision but being activated from IR is a clear sign that he's back tonight. Galchenyuk is expected to skate on the second line with Nick Bjugstad and Patric Hornqvist and returns with two assists in three games this season.
Galchenyuk was a full participant in Monday’s practice and could be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Galchenyuk, who has been out since October 8th, will be a game-time decision and had two assists in his first three games with the Penguins.
Little has missed the first nine games of the year but will make his season debut on Sunday. Little, who had 41 points (15G / 26A) in 82 games a season ago, will centre the Jets’ second line with Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers on his wings.
Nemeth is fighting an illness but said that he “feels better” and head coach Jeff Blashill anticipates him playing on Thursday. Nemeth has one assist and 14 shots in his first six games with the Red Wings.
Galchenyuk aggravated a prior injury according to head coach Mike Sullivan. His movement to IR means he will miss at least one week. The Penguins recalled Adam Johnson from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to take Galchenyuk’s spot on the roster.
Galchenyuk was missing from Wednesday’s practice, putting his status for Thursday’s game in question. Head coach Mike Sullivan said that Galchenyuk aggravated a prior ailment. If he misses Thursday’s game, the Penguins will likely be without four of their top-9 forwards (Galchenyuk, Evgeni Malkin, Patric Hornqvist and Nick Bjugstad).
Little has missed the first three games of the season and has been moved to IR to open up a roster spot for the Jets to recall Nelson Nogier from Manitoba (AHL) for Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh.
Little is making progress and is scheduled to skate on Thursday but will not be in the lineup against the Rangers. With Little sidelined to begin the season, Andrew Copp will get a chance to show what he can do as the team’s No.2 centre between Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor.
As expected, Galchenyuk was back on the ice for Wednesday’s practice, skating on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Brandon Tanev. Head coach Mike Sullivan called Galchenyuk a “game-time decision” but all signs point towards him making his Penguins debut in the top-6 and on the second power-play unit.
Galchenyuk is officially listed as day-to-day but GM Jim Rutherford said the Penguins are confident that Galchenyuk will be able to play Thursday. The 25-year-old is coming off of a disappointing season in Arizona but is expected to skate alongside Evgeni Malkin, which makes him an excellent bounce-back/post-hype candidate.
Little was blindsided by Wild forward Luke Kunin and left the ice with an upper-body injury and did not return. The Jets did not have an update on Little’s status post-game, so look for an update prior to Thursday’s season opener in New York.
Galchenyuk has been traded for the second time in two summers. The 25-year-old was hurt to start the 2018-19 season but finished the year with 19 goals and 22 assists (41 points) in 72 games with Arizona. Surprisingly, Galchenyuk’s minutes dropped with the Coyotes but he could easily replace Kessel in the Penguins’ top-6 and land on a line with Evgeni Malkin, which could revitalize his young career.
Nemeth has been a healthy scratch since Game 5 of the first-round but is expected to replace Sven Andrighetto in the lineup in Game 6. Nemeth has no points, a plus-4 rating and eight shots in five playoff games this year.
Ladd will return from a lower-body injury and play for the first time since November 13th, replacing Tom Kuhnhackl on the Islanders third line. Ladd has three goals and four assists (seven points) in 14 games this season.
Dea, 25, has bounced around a bit this season, going from the Devils to the Penguins and now the Panthers. Overall, he has four goals and two assists in 23 NHL games and 22 points (6G / 16A) in 26 AHL games this year. Dea will likely head to the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL.
