On the Oilers …
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Connor McDavid has been skating for a week, but the Oilers are still not sure when he’ll return to the lineup.
“We haven’t given a time-frame,” said Chiarelli.
Benoit Pouliot could return for today’s game against the Avalanche.
On the New York Rangers …
- Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post: Center Derek Stepan returned to the lineup last night after missing 10 games with two broken ribs.
“I think conditioning-wise, it’s not far off,” Stepan said. “I did quite a bit of skating week. But game-shape is a completely different thing. Whether it’s making little plays, constantly getting pushed, you can’t simulate that stuff. I felt that got better as the game went out, but a little slow to start.”
Backup Antti Raanta left Thursday’s game after taking a slapshot off his helmet. Coach Alain Vigneault said he’s feeling better and is day-to-day.
Kevin Klein was put on the IR (retroactive to Nov. 30th) with his strained oblique to clear a roster space. Klein could return on Sunday.
On the St. Louis Blues …
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Center Kyle Brodziak will miss today’s game after his left leg was accidentally cut by Seth Jones’ skate. Brodziak initially didn’t know that he was cut. Only when he started to skate away did he realize something was wrong, though he remained on the ice for the next 25 seconds before heading to the locker room. He played the third period, but it ‘stiffened up’ and he was not able to practice yesterday. Scott Gomez has been a healthy scratch the past six games will replace Brodziak.
On the Chicago Blackhawks …
- Chicago Blackhawks: Marcus Kruger will be out for approximately four months after having surgery to repair a dislocation of his left wrist.
On the New York Islanders …
- Scott Burnside: Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said that Kyle Okposo will miss their next two games with a lower-body injury.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
- John Vogl: Sabres Rasmus Ristolainen was given a maintenance day yesterday. Tyler Ennis will be in the lineup tonight.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
- Joe Smith: The Lightning put Joel Vermin on the LTIR as he’ll be out six to eight weeks.