Strome was a healthy scratch in the first game of the season, but will replace Christian Dvorak in Tuesday’s lineup in Ottawa. Strome was the third overall pick in 2015. He oozes with offensive talent and comes into 2016-17 having put up 111 points (37G / 74A) in 56 games with Erie (OHL) last year.
McIlrath was a healthy scratch in the first two games of the season, but with Daniel Girardi out of the lineup with a groin injury, McIlrath will step in. The 24-year-old had two goals and two assists (four points) in 34 games last year.
Dubois, 18, was selected third overall this summer but couldn’t crack the Blue Jackets opening night roster. He was on the 23-man roster but only for cap purposes. Dubois heads back to the QMJHL where he had 99 points (42G / 57A) in 62 games last season.
With Carey Price (illness) out for the season opener, Lindgren comes up from St. John’s to backup Al Montoya on Thursday. Lindgren won his NHL debut last year and posted a 30-9-1 record, 2.13 GAA and .925 SV% with St. Cloud State (NCHC) before signing with the Habs.
Chychrun has reportedly had a tremendous training camp with the Coyotes after dropping to the No.16 pick in this summer’s draft. Chychrun has been playing top-pair minutes, averaging 24:19 TOI/GM through his first four preseason games. “Jakob is an elite skater,” Coyotes GM John Chayka. “His lateral mobility has been very good. His gaps have been very good. Physically, he's a man. Unlike a lot of 18 year olds, he isn't physically overmatched [in the NHL]. The next three preseason games will be telling, but there’s a strong chance Chychrun at least starts the year in Arizona instead of Sarnia (OHL).
McIlrath, 24, had two goals and two assists in 34 regular season games and appeared in one playoff game last year. With Dan Boyle moving on from New York, McIlrath will likely have a full-time spot on the Rangers’ blueline this season.
Dowd, 26, forced the Kings to give him a look this year, after collecting 48 points (14G / 34A) in 58 games with Ontario (AHL). In his brief, five-game stint with the Kings he failed to record a point. Dowd will try and crack the NHL roster in training camp, but there’s a good chance he starts the year back in the AHL.
Backstrom has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, but will return tonight vs. the Penguins. Backstrom has had a strong season, picking up 20 goals and 47 assists (67 points) in 73 games. He has been a point per game player in four games against Pittsburgh—picking up one goal and three assists.
Lindgren replaced Ben Scrivens as the Canadiens backup after finishing his season with St. Cloud State (NCAA). The 22-year-old went 30-9-1 with a 2.13 GAA and .925 SV% in 40 starts with the Huskies. He will make his NHL debut against a Hurricanes team that has gone 4-3-3 while averaging 2.30 goals per game in their last 10.
Backstrom will miss his third consecutive game with an upper-body injury. Backstrom remains day-to-day and doesn’t appear to be in any danger of missing playoff time with this injury. With Backstrom out, Marcus Johansson is expected to remain on the top-line.
Milano picked up one assist while averaging 13:23 TOI in his first three career NHL games. The 2014 16th overall pick returns to the AHL where he has 27 points (12G / 15A) in 48 games this season.
Oshie was considered to be taking maintenance day this morning, but is listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s game in Philadelphia. Oshie returned to the lineup on Monday after missing the two previous games with an illness. There is no word whether or not this is related to that illness.
Lindgren, 22, just finished up his season with St. Cloud State, where he went 30-9-1 with a 2.13 GAA and .925 SV%. Ben Scrivens will be placed on waivers to clear a roster spot for Lindgren to finish the season with the Canadiens.
Milano, 19, was the Blue Jackets first round pick (16th overall) in 2014. The young winger has registered 12 goals and 15 assists (27 points) in 48 games with Lake Erie this season. He could make his NHL debut in the Blue Jackets’ final six games of the regular season.
