| Neal reassigned | Tuesday 10/7, 10:38 PM CT |
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James Neal was assigned to the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Our View: This move was pretty much expected and if he makes a move back to the NHL he doesn't merit any fantasy value. |
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| Perrault has concussion | Tuesday 10/7, 10:09 PM CT |
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Coyotes center Joel Perrault was placed on the injured list due to a concussion, according to the Arizona Republic.
Our View: In 49 games last year, Perrault only scored seven goals with 10 assists, and with those type of numbers he does not hold much fantasy value. |
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| Vishnevskiy assigned to Peoria | Tuesday 10/7, 8:26 PM CT |
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Defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy was assigned to Peoria of the American Hockey League on Tuesday according to the AP.
Our View: The young Russian spent last season with Rouyn-Noranda of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he notched 17 goals and 28 assists in 45 games. |
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| Zubov starts season on injured reserve | Tuesday 10/7, 8:24 PM CT |
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Sergei Zubov has been placed on injured reserve, according to the AP. He is out indefinitely as he recovers from offseason hip surgery.
Our View: The 38-year-old Russian notched four goals and 31 assists in 46 games last season. He missed a lot of the season due to a sports hernia. |
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| Reich is waived | Tuesday 10/7, 8:20 PM CT |
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Jeremy Reich was waived by the Bruins on Tuesday according to the AP.
Our View: The 29-year-old Reich notched two goals, two assists and 78 penalty minutes in 58 contests with Boston in 2007-08. Selected by Chicago in the second round of the 1997 draft, the center has registered two tallies, six points and 161 penalty minutes in 99 career games with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Bruins. |
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| Rome placed on waivers | Tuesday 10/7, 7:49 PM CT |
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The Blue Jackets have placed Aaron Rome on waivers, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Our View: Rome recorded only two points in 17 games last year and wasn't going to hold much fantasy value. |
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| Bailey makes team | Tuesday 10/7, 6:50 PM CT |
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The New York Islanders first-round pick Josh Bailey has made the team out of training camp, according to the New York Post. There remains a distinct chance, however, that he won't be around for long. Bailey didn't see much time in the preseason due to injuries and was expected not to make the opening night roster.
Our View: Bailey will spend at least the first nine games with the Islanders. After that, the team will have to decide whether to keep him in the NHL or send him back to juniors for the remainder of the season. |
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| Krog waived by Canucks | Tuesday 10/7, 6:10 PM CT |
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Jason Krog, a former Hobey Baker award winner, was waived by Vancouver, according to TSN. He had registered a goal and an assist in five preseason games.
Our View: The veteran center was attempting to come back to the NHL this season and its uncertain weather or not he will join Vancouver's AHL squad. He had 39 goals and 112 points in 80 regular-season games with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL last season, and helped them to the Calder Cup Championship. Krog also added 10 goals and 36 points on his way to earning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP. |
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| Pettinger wiaved by Canucks | Tuesday 10/7, 6:07 PM CT |
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Left wing Matt Pettinger was placed on wiavers on Tuesday, according to TSN.
Our View: The 28-year-old scored 20 goals back in 2005-06 but his play has declined since then. He was acquired last February for Matt Cook and tallied six points in 20 games last season with the Canucks.
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| O'Sullivan signs with Kings | Tuesday 10/7, 6:01 PM CT |
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Center Patrick O'Sullivan finally signed with the Kings on Tuesday according to the AP. The 23-year-old was a restricted free agent this offseason.
Our View: O'Sullivan was terrific in his second season as he posted 53 points in 82 games. His holdout will likely cause him to start off the season a little slow, but by midseason, expect him to be putting up a healthy amount of points. He is a sound bench selection. |
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| Khabibulin sticks on Chicago's roster | Tuesday 10/7, 5:44 PM CT |
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The AP reports that goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin is expected to start the regular season with the Chicago Blackhawks. Earlier this offseason he was passed through waivers and appeared to be headed to the minors or perhaps even to another league. However, he is on general manager Dale Tallon’s final roster heading into the regular season.
Our View: Khabibulin has had a rough preseason and will serve as the second goalie on Chicago this season. The Blackhawks may still be trying to move him. |
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| Shanahan wants to sign soon | Tuesday 10/7, 5:22 PM CT |
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HockeyBuzz.com reports that the latest on Brendan Shanahan is that he hopes to either sign with the Rangers or another team by the end of the week. The Rangers have not told Shanahan to pursue other options.
Our View: Shanahan could be a very valuable addition to whichever team he signs with. In 73 games last season, he tallied 23 goals and 23 assists. |
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| McLaren could be traded soon | Tuesday 10/7, 5:19 PM CT |
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HockeyBuzz.com reports that Kyle McLaren will likely be traded by the 3:00 roster deadline on Wednesday. The defenseman was placed on waivers earlier in the day and the team has to cut payroll. McLaren's agent has contacted several clubs where he would accept a trade including the St. Louis Blues.
Our View: The offseason additions of Dan Boyle and Rob Blake have made McLaren expendable. He is not a fantasy option due to his 11 points and 61 games played. |
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| Bruins keep Wheeler | Tuesday 10/7, 5:13 PM CT |
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The Bruins will keep rookie forward Blake Wheeler on their opening night roster according to the AP. Wheeler was the fifth choice in the 2004 draft by Phoenix, but played instead with Green Bay of the United States Hockey League for one year and at the University of Minnesota for two.
Our View: It remains to be seen what kind of production we can expect from Wheeler but he is too much of a wild card to draft in fantasy leagues. He has had a good preseason and is a player worth keeping an eye on this season. |
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| Ovechkin leaves practice early | Tuesday 10/7, 4:58 PM CT |
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Alexander Ovechkin left practice with an undefined nagging injury according to the AP.
Our View: Ovechkin is not expected to miss the season opener on Friday at Atlanta and he remains one of the best fantasy players in the NHL. |
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| Sillinger on injured reserve | Tuesday 10/7, 4:50 PM CT |
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The AP reports that Mike Sillinger has been placed on injured reserve after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right hip during the offseason.
Our View: The 37-year-old appeared in 52 games, tallying 14 goals and 12 assists last season. He may be worth a look later in the season on the waiver wire but should be avoided in the draft.
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| Devereaux waived | Tuesday 10/7, 4:05 PM CT |
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Center Boyd Devereaux has been waived by the Toronto Maple Leafs according to TSN.
Our View: Devereaux just turned 30 and if he is not plucked off of the wire, he will be appointed to the minor league roster. Toronto is clearly committed to their younger prospects. |
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| Stillman may be captain | Tuesday 10/7, 3:53 PM CT |
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Panthers forward Cory Stillman is the likely choice to be the team's captain this season, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Our View: The team is expected to make an announcement regarding the captaincy sometime Wednesday. Other reported candidates for the role are Bryan McCabe, Stephen Weiss and Bryan Allen. |
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| Jackman sent down | Tuesday 10/7, 3:49 PM CT |
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Tim Jackman was among a plethora of players sent to the minors by the New York Islanders, according to HockeyBuzz.com. Also reassigned were Jeremy Colliton, Mitch Fritz, Kurtis McLean, Trevor Smith, Chris Lee and Yann Danis.
Our View: Jackman played 36 NHL games last season, recording four points. No fantasy value to speak of here. |
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| McLaren waived | Tuesday 10/7, 3:06 PM CT |
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Sharks defenseman Kyle McLaren was waived by the team on Tuesday, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
Our View: The team is trying to move McLaren, who had 11 points and 84 PIM last season as he fought through knee injuries. Should no one claim him, he may be sent to the minors so his salary of $2.5 million does not count against the salary cap. |
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| Gerber will remain starter | Tuesday 10/7, 2:29 PM CT |
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Ottawa goalie Martin Gerber will remain the starter for the Senators, despite not playing well in the first game of the season and backup Alex Auld excelling, according to TSN.com.
Our View: Auld played well in the team's second game of the year, holding the Penguins to one goal. The team is downplaying any type of goalie controversy, and maintain that Gerber is the man. |
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| Brule reassigned | Tuesday 10/7, 1:26 PM CT |
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Gilbert Brule, along with Taylor Chorney and Theo Peckham, were sent to the AHL by the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, according to TSN.com.
Our View: The 21-year-old Brule, who was the sixth overall pick in 2005 by Columbus, was traded to the Oilers in the offseason. He has been a disappointment in his short career, scoring just one goal in 61 games last season. |
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| Willsie sent down | Tuesday 10/7, 1:24 PM CT |
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Brian Willsie was reassigned to the minor leagues by the Colorado Avalanche, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Our View: Willsie signed with the Avs after playing 53 games for the Kings last season. He scored just four goals in those games last season, and would not have had fantasy value even if he did make the team. |
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| Schaefer put on waivers | Tuesday 10/7, 1:22 PM CT |
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Peter Schaefer was put on waivers, and should he clear, he will be sent to the minor leagues, according to the Providence Journal. Also, the team put Nate Thompson and Jeremy Reich on waivers, but will be sent to the minors, Matt Hunwick has been assigned to the minors, and forward Carl Soderberg has been assigned to his club in Sweden.
Our View: The team is trying to trade Schaefer and his $2.1 million salary. He had an average season last year, tallying just 26 points, which is not enough for someone with that type of salary. |
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| Downey put on waivers | Tuesday 10/7, 1:00 PM CT |
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Red Wings forward Aaron Downey was put on waivers Tuesday, according to the Detroit News.
Our View: Downey signed a one-year contract with the team this summer. He has very little offensive capabilities, and is known more for playing the role of enforcer, racking up 116 PIM last season. |
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| Warrener put on waivers | Tuesday 10/7, 12:34 PM CT |
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The Calgary Flames have put Rhett Warrener, Anders Eriksson and Jamie Lundmark on waivers, according to the AP.
Our View: Any team is free to claim the players, though with Warrener's $2.5 million salary and Eriksson's $1.5 million salary, that seems unlikely. If they clear waivers, they will start the season in the minor leagues. |
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| Bonk should be ready to play | Tuesday 10/7, 11:48 AM CT |
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Nashville Predators forward Radek Bonk should be ready to play in the team's opening contest against the Blues, according to the Tennessean.
Our View: Bonk was suffering from a hip flexor that kept him out of the past weekend's exhibition games, but has steadily improved and will likely see action in the team's initial game. |
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| Schenn signs deal | Tuesday 10/7, 10:53 AM CT |
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Maple Leafs rookie defenseman Luke Schenn has signed an entry-level contract that spans three years, according to TSN.com.
Our View: Schenn was the team's first-round pick, chosen fifth overall. His fantasy value will not be tremendous from the get-go as he adjusts to playing in the NHL. |
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| Zidlicky remains out | Tuesday 10/7, 9:03 AM CT |
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Marek Zidlicky is still battling an ankle injury, and will remain out for the time being, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Our View: Zidlicky is a solid defenseman who accumulated 43 points and 63 PIM for fantasy owners last season. His status remains cloudy, and there is no timetable for his return to action. |
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| Gillies makes Wild's roster | Tuesday 10/7, 9:01 AM CT |
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Colton Gillies, who the Minnesota Wild took with the 16th overall selection in the 2007 NHL draft, has made the team's roster, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Our View: Gillies, who is 19-years-old, scored one goal and tallied one assist in the preseason. Do not count on him for fantasy purposes, however, as the team was quick to point out that he was still very much a work in progress. |
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| Avery back at practice | Tuesday 10/7, 8:47 AM CT |
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Stars forward Sean Avery was back at the team's practice after being absent for two days due to an illness, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Our View: Avery is probably more well-known for his off-ice theatrics, whether it is dating Hollywood starlets or interning at a fashion magazine. Still, he is a cog in the Dallas machine that has value, amassing 154 PIM last season. |
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| Filatov likely to be sent down | Tuesday 10/7, 8:42 AM CT |
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Blue Jackets forward Nikita Filatov is probably going to start the season in the minor leagues, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Our View: Filatov was the sixth overall selection in the 2008 draft. He missed time due to a hairline fracture in his leg, and fantasy owners can expect big things out of him in the future, just not the near future, apparently. |
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| Brassard to return | Tuesday 10/7, 8:39 AM CT |
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Derick Brassard is expected to be back at practice for the Blue Jackets on Tuesday, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Our View: Brassard had suffered a concussion, but will resume his duties as the team's second-line center. |
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| Beach sent to juniors | Tuesday 10/7, 8:22 AM CT |
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Forward Kyle Beach, the 11th overall pick of the 2008 draft by the Blackhawks, will not start the season in the NHL and was sent to his junior team, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Our View: Beach is a power forward who will eventually be a fantasy stalwart if he progresses like he should, as he not only has the ability to score, but he also likes to mix it up, generating numerous penalty minutes. |
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| Niemi will be backup | Tuesday 10/7, 8:18 AM CT |
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Antti Niemi will likely be the backup at goaltender for the Blackhawks to start the season, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Our View: Though the team wants Niemi to be the backup, they still must find somebody to take Nikolai Khabibulin off their hands. However, even if they fail in that regard, they could still send the Bulin Wall to the minors when the season starts. |
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