Hanley recorded one assist in two games with the Stars earlier in October before returning to Texas. He was held pointless in two AHL games but returns to the Stars where he will likely serve as an extra defenseman on Thursday.
Farabee was one of the final cuts in training camp and one of the Flyers’ best prospects. After scoring just 15 goals in six games (2.50 GF/gm) the Flyers are looking to inject some offence into their lineup. Farabee was a first-round pick (No.14 overall) in 2018 and has registered three goals and one assist in his first four AHL games. The 19-year-old is expected to make his debut on the third line (with Kevin Hayes and Scott Laughton) and the first power-play unit.
Kadri took a shot off of his foot on Saturday and is sore, but head coach Jared Bednar expects him to play vs. the Bruins on Tuesday. Kadri is still searching for his first point with the Avalanche, but has four shots and has averaged 15:55 TOI/gm through two games.
With Roman Polak out long-term, the Stars had to dig into their farm system over the last 24 hours. Hanley failed to register a point in 16 NHL games last year but had 28 points (8G / 20A) in 60 AHL contests.
Backlund has been dealing with a lower-body injury since the late stages of the preseason but is ready to go in Colorado. Backlund, who will centre the second line with familiar linemates (Tkachuk and Frolik) had 21 goals and 26 assists (47 points) last season.
Farabee, who was a first-round pick (No.14 overall) in 2018 nearly made the Flyers opening night roster but the last second return of Tyler Pitlick has pushed him to the AHL to begin the year. The 19-year-old had 17 goals and 19 assists (36 points) in 37 games at Boston University last season.
Backlund was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice but remains a question mark heading into the first game of the year. Monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate and expect Sam Bennett to replace him on the second line if he doesn’t play.
Frost seemed like a front-runner to at start the season with the Flyers, but this injury all but guarantees that he will end up in the AHL next week. While this is bad news for Frost, it opens the door for fellow rookies German Rubtsov and Joel Farabee to make the opening night roster.
Pachal was an undrafted free agent who had 15 goals with 36 assists (51 points) in 66 games with the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) in 2019. He’ll report for a fifth WHL season with the Raiders in 2020.
Weegar had 15 points (4G / 11A) in 64 games with the Panthers last season, while ranking sixth among Panthers defensemen in TOI/GM (16:58). Weegar will likely open the 2020 season as the Panthers No.6 defenseman.
Hunt split his 2019 season between the NHL and AHL, posting 44 points (23G / 21A) in 51 games with Springfield (AHL) and 10 points (3G / 7A) in 31 games with Florida (NHL). Despite moderate NHL success, Hunt will likely start 2020 in the AHL.
Lomberg had 29 points (12G / 17A) in 58 games with Stockton (AHL) last season and had a brief four-game showing with the Flames, where he had 17 PIMS. Lomberg is a fourth-line player who could have a spot in Calgary next year after Garnet Hathaway signed with the Capitals this summer.
Hanley spent most of the season in the AHL, where he had eight goals and 20 assists (28 points) in 60 games. Hanley played 16 games with Dallas and has just six assists in 38 career NHL games—tonight will be his first career NHL playoff game.
This is a bizarre punishment that we have never seen before but Kadri has effectively been suspended for three-to-five games. William Nylander moved to centre in Game 3 with Kadri suspended and they will likely stick with the same lineup in Game 4 after winning 3-2 last night.
Kadri was not at the Maple Leafs morning skate and head coach Mike Babcock said the centre would not be available vs. the Lightning. Babcock added that there may be a press release regarding Kadri’s injury, which suggests he could miss some time. This would obviously be a huge loss heading into the playoffs if that is the case but we update any further information as it is provided.
