Good Morning! Today’s fantasy hockey injury report covers 11 players, their replacements, theory crafted lines and the fantasy impact of the players who will see an increase in ice time. Some of these folks are in COVID protocol and others were outright injured.
Forwards: Max Pacioretty, Jonathan Drouin, Jaden Schwartz, Brendan Gallagher, Sam Bennett, Taylor Raddysh, Justin Dowling
Defense: Mario Ferraro, Cal Foote, Sebastian Aho
Goalie: Dan Vladar
Calgary Flames: Dan Vladar (G) - The backup goaltender has been stellar to start his Calgary career this season. His year hit a speed bump yesterday however when he entered COVID protocol. The squad would recall Dustin Wolf to back up Jacob Markstrom. Wolf has also been dominant in the AHL this season and gives the Flames maybe the deepest goaltending depth in the league.
Florida Panthers: Sam Bennett (C/L) - After playing in their return to action on Wednesday, Bennett was not in the lineup last night due to an illness. The Panthers would go onto dominate the Lightning 9-3 as Maxim Mamin was pushed into the top six with Barkov/Verhaeghe. Mamin would score a goal in the tilt, giving him six points in 13 games played this season. Anthony Duclair took over the PP1 duties for Bennett.
Montreal Canadiens: Jonathan Drouin (L)/Brendan Gallagher (R) - Prior to puck drop, Drouin was ruled out for the tilt against the Hurricanes due to a non-COVID related illness. Lukas Vejdemo was pushed into the top six as a result, playing with Suzuki/Gallagher. Unfortunately for the latter, Gallagher was injured during the game and did not return to the contest. Brandon Baddock had already made his NHL debut last night on L4 for Drouin, putting up only six points in 23 AHL games this season before his call up. Cameron Hillis is the next available forward for the club, the 21-year-old has five points in 26 AHL games thus far in his young career. I anticipate Jesse Ylonen will be given a chance on L1 with Suzuki/Vejdemo as he has scored since his call up this season. Rafael Harvey-Pinard was given a shot at PP1 in the place of Drouin, and Brandon Baddock would join the unit after Gallagher was injured.
New York Islanders: Sebastian Aho (D) - The young defender was placed into COVID protocol yesterday before the tilt against the Sabres. Robin Salo would return to the lineup on the bottom pair alongside Andy Greene in Aho’s place. Salo has one assist in eight games played this season as a rookie.
San Jose Sharks: Mario Ferraro (D) - A late scratch yesterday, Ferraro was placed into COVID protocol in the evening. Radim Simek was propelled into the top pair alongside Brent Burns, currently with only two points in 21 games played this season. Nicolas Meloche created a duo with M-E Vlasic to play the extra minutes left behind by the top four. Meloche has one assist in 10 ten games.
Seattle Kraken: Jaden Schwartz (L) - A game time decision, Schwartz was not out for warm ups last night prior to the tilt against the Flames. He is dealing with an upper body injury and Morgan Geekie took his place on L1 with Eberle/McCann. Kole Lind would rejoin the lineup outright on L4 with True/McCormick on L4. Lind has one assist in four games this season, and 11 over his career thus far. Calle Jarnkrok took the place of Schwartz on the PP.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Taylor Raddysh (R)/Cal Foote (D) - Only a day after appearing in the top six for the Lightning, Raddysh ended up on COVID protocol. Ross Colton would take the prime spot on L1 with Stamkos/Palat, sitting on 13 points in 32 games this season. Remie Elie made his 2021-22 debut for the big club with Nash/Katchouk on L4. Elie has 22 points in 107 games over his NHL career. Remi also was given an opportunity on PP2. Foote also was placed into COVID protocol yesterday and Darren Raddysh was given an opportunity to make his NHL debut on the bottom pair in Foote’s place. Darren struggled this season in the minors but the last couple years have indicated some two-way potential.
Vancouver Canucks: Justin Dowling (C/L) - The bottom six forward was placed into COVID protocol yesterday after playing the day earlier. Matthew Highmore returned to the lineup on L4 in Dowling’s place, skating alongside Lammikko/Motte. Highmore has two assists in nine games played this season.
Vegas Golden Knights: Max Pacioretty (L) - In a surprise move, Pacioretty appeared on the IR with a wrist injury after playing a full allotment of minutes in his last tilt earlier in the week. Evgeni Dadonov is slated to take the place of Pacioretty on L1 with Stephenson/Janmark. Dadonov has 14 points in 31 games this season. Nolan Patrick is expected to make a return to the lineup centering L4 between Brooks/Amadio. Patrick is a former 2nd overall pick who has 73 points in 207 NHL tilts over his career.