NHL Notes: Injuries, Recalls, Shutouts, Outdoor Games, Lehtera Charged, and the Coyotes
Elliotte Friedman when asked if there's a possibility that the Buffalo Sabres would consider trading Jack Eichel, and who could make that type of trade?
Injury updates

Arizona Coyotes: Forward Nick Schmaltz is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

WGR 550: Buffalo Sabres coach Phil Housley said that forward Jack Eichel is day-to-day. He’s going to be evaluated this morning and more will be known after. Housley doesn’t think he’s going to be out long-term.

New Jersey Devils: The Devils have put forward Taylor Hall on the IR retroactive to December 23rd. He’s eligible to come off the IR at any time.

Sam Carchidi: Philadelphia Flyers forward Nolan Patrick is questionable for tomorrows game. He’ll likely return on Saturday against the Flames.

Recalled from the AHL

Minnesota Wild: The Wild have recalled defenseman Ryan Murphy.

New Jersey Devils: The Devils have recalled defenseman Egor Yakovlev and forward Blake Pietila.

Shutouts

Danny Webster: Marc-Andre Fleury’s shutout last night was the 54th of his career, tying him with Ed Giacomin and Bernie Parent for 21st all-time.

2020 All-Star and Outdoor Games

Frank Seravalli: Heritage Classic in Regina, Sask., on Oct. 26 – Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames.

2020 All-Star hosted by the St. Louis Blues.

2020 Winter Classic: Dallas Stars vs. TBD at Cotton Bowl.

2020 Stadium Series: Colorado Avalanche vs. TBD at Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Feb. 15.

Lehtera charged back in Finland

Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia: Philadelphia Flyers forward Jori Lehtera was changed according to a Finnish newspaper for obtaining and possessing cocaine in Finland during the summer. He’s not due in court yet.

From the report.

“According to a preliminary investigation, Lehtera obtained eight grams of cocaine between early June and late July of 2018 in Tampere. According to the prosecutors he also tried to obtain one gram of cocaine in May of 2018.”

Lethera said the charges are false and that he won’t comment further.

Any Coyotes sale will be to keep the team in Arizona

Josh Beneteau of Sportsnet: Arizona Coyotes president and CEO Ahron Cohen published a letter on their team site that said if the team is sold, the new owner needs to be committed to keeping the team in Arizona.

“Recently, you may have read reports about a potential ownership transaction. As I have said for months, we will continue to explore investment opportunities to better assist our team in achieving our long-term goals and organizational vision,” Cohen wrote. “This process has at its core one key pre-condition: any investment in our team must be laser-focused on helping the Coyotes achieve a long-term sustainable arena solution here in Arizona.

“Every potential investment opportunity we evaluate and every business deal we consider is predicated on making our franchise successful here in Arizona for decades to come.”