Simmonds will open the season on a line with Sean Couturier and Matt Read as he looks to build off of his career-year from a season ago. Simmonds had 29 goals and 31 assists and played a huge role on the Flyers PP, scoring 15 of his goals with the extra man. Despite starting on the third line, there is no doubt that he will be on the top PP unit.
Johansen joined the Blue Jackets for his first practice of the season on Wednesday morning and he reportedly did not look sharp at certain point of the skate. That is to be expected from a player who missed the entire preseason, but with all the injuries in Columbus right now, it would be surprising to not see Johansen in the lineup. Even a Ryan Johansen at 75% is likely still their top centre right now.
Simmonds is on the ice for the third straight day, so there is a great chance that he will be in the lineup for the season opener after being injured last week. He is expected to skate with Sean Couturier and Matt Read.
Johansen's status for Thursday's game is up in the air, but after spending Tuesday trying to get from Canada to Columbus, his presence on the ice is a positive sign for his availability tomorrow. There will be a ton of pressure on Johansen in the early part of the season, because of the contract dispute and the injuries Columbus is already dealing with.
Simmonds has been on the ice for the last two days which is a good sign that he will be in the lineup tomorrow vs. the Bruins. Simmonds is coming off of a career-year and appeared to be a candidate to replace Scott Hartnell on the Claude Giroux line, but it looks like he will start the year with Couturier and Read.
Johansen is currently in Toronto waiting to be cleared by immigration on both sides of the border before he can travel to Columbus. Johansen is expected to be in Columbus today for a physical and on the ice for Wednesday's practice and in uniform on Thursday night vs. the Sabres. "I feel good. I feel close (to game shape)," Johansen said. "I haven’t had any preseason games, so that's a challenge. My two linemates (forwards Boone Jenner and Nathan Horton) are hurt. That’ll be one of the biggest thing, being thrown in with two new guys."
Simmonds was listed as day-to-day last week, but getting back on the ice this morning suggests that he might be ready to go in the Flyers' season opener on Wednesday. Simmonds is coming off of a career-year and will be a crucial member of the Flyers' offence again this season.
The lengthy contract dispute is finally over and it is a good thing for the Blue Jackets, who looked like they would be without their entire top-line to start the season. Johansen and the Blue Jackets were significantly apart on the dollar value, but were able to get a deal done before the start of the 2014-15 campaign. Johansen had his coming out party last year when he scored 33 goals and 30 assists (63 points) in 82 games. Expect another 30-30 season from the 22 year old.
Simmonds' injury does not to be of the serious variety and he should be fine for the start of the regular season. Simmonds is coming off of a career-year and could record 30-plus goals this year. Monitor his status as the season approaches, but he should be good to go.
Ellis, 23, had six goals and 21 assists (27 points) in 80 games last season. He was drafted 11th overall in the 2009 NHL Draft and has tremendous offensive upside. Ellis is undersized, but will be a key member of the Predators power-play for years to come.
Thompson, 29, had nine goals and seven assists (16 points) in 81 games for the Ducks last season. He adds forward depth to the Ducks lineup and will likely centre the Ducks' fourth line in 2014-15.
Deslauriers averaged 13:10 TOI and scored one goal with a minus-9 rating in 16 games with the Sabres. He heads back to the AHL where he had 39 points (18G / 21A) in 60 games with Manchester. He has not suited up for the Rochester Americans after being acquired at the deadline from L.A.
Deslauriers has no points and a minus-7 rating in 12 games with the Sabres. He will be replaced by Ville Leino tonight vs. the Devils.
Johnson missed the game-day skate this morning and will be a game-time decision for the Avalanche tonight. Johnson has really picked up his play as of late, so his absence would be greatly felt on the Avs' blueline. Nate Guenin would slide into the lineup if Johnson is unable to go.
Ristolainen was just sent back to Rochester because Tyler Myers was ready to go Tuesday. However, Myers suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday's contest, thus Ristolainen has been recalled and will likely dress tonight.
Ristolainen played in five games during his call-up. He was a minus-5 with 12 shots but failed to register a point. He will return to Rochester because Tyler Myers is ready to return to the lineup. Myers has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 30 AHL games.
Ristolainen, 19, has one goal in 19 games with the Sabres this season. The 2013 eighth overall pick has six goals and 12 assists (18 points) in 30 games with Rochester.
It has been a crazy week for Deslauriers. First he was traded on Wednesday and now he will make his NHL debut tonight with the Sabres. He was a third-round pick in 2009 and has recorded 18 goals and 21 assists (39 points) in 60 games this season.
Deslauriers was acquired by the Sabres on Wednesday and could make his NHL debut tonight in Florida. Deslauriers has been recalled because Chris Stewart and Zemgus Girgensons were injured on Thursday and are unavailable for Friday's game. He had 18 goals and 21 assists (39 points) in 60 games with Manchester (AHL) before the trade.
Deslauriers, 23, was a third-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He is a 6-foot, 230 lbs. defenseman who has 18 goals and 21 assists (39 points) in 60 games with Manchester (AHL) this season. He has yet to make his NHL debut.
