Darcy Kuemper will make his Capitals debut Wednesday as he leads Washington between the pipes at home against Boston. Fresh off a Stanley Cup victory in 2021-22, Kuemper joins Washington after finishing fourth in league Wins (37), fifth in SV% (.921), 11th in GAA (2.54) and fourth in Shutouts (5).
The Canadiens announced on Sunday that Armia will miss one-to-two weeks, so moving him to IR means he'll for sure miss seven days. Juraj Slafkovsky will open the season with the Canadiens, which could change once Armia is back and in need of a roster spot.
Edmundson's rehab for his lower-back injury is progressing, but there's still no timeline for his return to the Canadiens lineup. Edmundson skated before Monday's practice but has yet to join his teammates for a team session.
Missing one to two weeks would mean that Armia would miss at least three games. The injury opens the door for No.1 overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky to start the season with the Canadiens.
Edmundson's injury is related to the back problems he had during the 2021-22 season. According to the Canadiens' head coach Martin St. Louis, Edmundson is considered out indefinitely because they "don't have enough details yet."
Gawdin was originally a fourth-round pick of the Blues in 2015 but he turned pro with the Flames in 2019. He's only appeared in nine NHL games to-date but had a solid 2022 season in the AHL, scoring 15 goals with 35 assists (50 points) in 62 games with Stockton. The one-way contract suggests he could make the NHL roster to open 2022-23.
The Kings acquired Fiala from the Wild on Wednesday and signed him to a massive seven-year extension, which represents a $2.775M AAV raise for the Swiss winger. Fiala will play a huge role in Los Angeles, next to either Anze Kopitar or Phillip Danault, both spots could allow him to build off of his career-best 2022 season.
Fiala was set to become an RFA and the Wild likely weren't going to have the cap-space to re-sign him. They moved him and added a second first-round pick in 2022 and Brock Faber, who was a second-round pick (No.45 overall) in 2020. For Fiala, he heads to Los Angeles, where he'll likely play a key top-6 role next to either Anze Kopitar or Phillip Danault. Fiala is coming off of the best season of his career, scoring 33 goals with 52 assists (85 points) in 82 games.
Kuemper left Game 1 with an upper-body injury and did not return. He was not on the ice for Thursday's morning skate and head coach Jared Bednar officially ruled him out. Pavel Francouz will start Game 2 vs. the Oilers.
Kuemper left Game 1 shortly after taking a shot off the mask and did not return. When head coach Jared Bednar was asked about Kuemper's availability for Game 2, he said "we'll see." Pavel Francouz, who allowed three goals in relief, will start if Kuemper can't play.
