Good Morning! The fantasy hockey injury report today reaches double digits with 11 total players listed. I cover each injury situation, identify the replacement in the lineup and how you can view each from a fantasy perspective.
Forwards: Mark Schefiele, Sasha Barkov, Paul Stastny, Filip Chytil, Ryan Donato, Tyler Ennis
Defense: Niko Mikkola, Christian Jaros
Goalies: Petr Mrazek, Antti Raanta, Craig Anderson
Buffalo Sabres: Craig Anderson (G) - The 40-year-old netminder was absent from practice prior to the game on Saturday, leading to a call up of Aaron Dell. Craig is dealing with an upper body injury, but isn’t expected to miss too much time. Dustin Tokarski started in the night game, allowing four goals.
Carolina Hurricanes: Antti Raanta (G) - The Finnish goaltender was injured in relief of the starter Freddy Andersen against the Panthers. He went to play a puck and collided with Ryan Lomberg, resulting in an upper body injury. Eetu Makiniemi has been the superior goalie in the minors so far this season, maybe earning him a start in Raanta’s place if he’s injured.
Florida Panthers: Sasha Barkov (C) - The star center was a surprise scratch yesterday with a lower body injury. Eetu Luostarinen was the Finn who took C1 between Duclair and Verhaeghe. Ryan Lomberg was slotted into the bottom six for Eetu, playing with Marchment and Hornqvist. Eetu has three goals through 8 games, and Lomberg is pointless through four games. Luostarinen is a high skill player who has put up points through his career at the AHL level. Lomberg is a physical player, seldom offensive throughout his career. Anton Lundell was given an opportunity on PP1 for Sasha.
New Jersey Devils: Christian Jaros (D) - The depth defenseman was injured in practice this past week, suffering a hand injury. To replace him the team recalled Colton White and slotted him into the bottom pair immediately. He played alongside Ty Smith, putting up his second assist of the season in only 3 NHL games.
New York Rangers: Filip Chytil (C/R) - The young 1st round center was injured on his first shift in the tilt with the Flames last night. He collided with his teammate and clearly had suffered some kind of issue. The squad is low on centers, likely meaning that somebody will be forced between Blais and Lafreniere. For a natural born centerman they will have to go to the minors and look at Greg McKegg or Morgan Barron. McKegg has no points through eight NHL games this season.
Ottawa Senators: Tyler Ennis (L/R) - The small winger was absent from the game on Saturday against the Lightning with an illness. Parker Kelly was recalled and played on L3 with Stutzle/Tierney. Kelly would get his first point on the season with an assist in this contest. Nick Paul took over the PP2 role left by Ennis’s issue.
Seattle Kraken: Ryan Donato (R/L) - In the early stages of the game on Saturday against the Coyotes, Donato suffered an upper body injury and left the game. The squad is probably better off going with an 11/7 look than recalling a forward in this situation. Alex True has 10 points in eight games for their AHL affiliate, earning him a call up in my opinion. True could play in the bottom six, likely with McCormick and Sheahan. Jaden Schwartz played PP1 for Donato.
St. Louis Blues: Niko Mikkola (D) - The depth Finnish defenseman was the next player to hit COVID protocol on Saturday. He was replaced in the lineup by Calle Rosen on the bottom pair alongside Robert Bortuzzo. Rosen has been around, last playing in the NHL in 19-20 for Colorado. In 20 NHL games he has five points.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Petr Mrazek (G) - The backup goalie was injured in practice yesterday when he reaggravated his groin issue from earlier in the year. Jack Campbell will continue to man the pipes as the starter, and Michael Hutchinson will come up to back up. Hutchinson allowed six goals in his one start so far this season.
Winnipeg Jets: Mark Scheifele (C)/Paul Stastny (C/L) - Both forwards were injured in the final few minutes of the third period with lower body injuries. Scheifele’s injury will be easier to determine than Stastny’s, as Paul may have some swelling in his foot to cause a lengthy absence. They were already going 11/7 as it was, but now the Jets will need to get creative. Cole Perfetti is a high-octane prospect who will likely need to be recalled to take Scheifele's slot between Wheeler and Lowry. He can fill that role. Riley Nash can slot into the bottom “five”, and push Jansen Harkins to a line with Copp/Ehlers. This is a mess.