Good Morning! The fantasy hockey injury report covers ten players, their replacements, theory crafted lines and the fantasy potential of each player with an increase in ice time.
Forwards: Elias Pettersson, Nick Bjugstad, Cole Sillinger, Carl Grundstrom, Tomas Nosek
Defense: Tyson Barrie, Travis Sanheim, Christian Wolanin
Goalie: Spencer Knight
Boston Bruins: Tomas Nosek (C) - The bottom six forward was placed into COVID protocol yesterday, joining his teammates on the list. He will not play tonight on L4, instead Anton Blidh returning to the fray with Lazar/Frederic. Blidh has four points in 12 games this season, and seven in 50 over his career.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Cole Sillinger (C) - A surprise from the 2021 draft, Sillinger has been able to step right in to the NHL and perform. He was banged up in their last tilt against Tampa and did not practice yesterday as a result. Liam Foudy was placed into the taxi squad and he is skilled enough to handle the C1 duties between Laine/Voracek. Foudy has five assists in 26 NHL tilts over his career, a 1st rounder from 2018.
Edmonton Oilers: Tyson Barrie (D) - The offensive defender was placed into COVID protocol yesterday prior to the tilt against Toronto. William Lagesson took his place on the bottom pair alongside Slater Koekkoek. Lagesson has one assist in nine games and three in 26 over his career. Evan Bouchard played QB for PP1.
Florida Panthers: Spencer Knight (G) - The future between the pipes in Florida was placed into COVID protocol yesterday, after being expected to start today. Jonas Johansson will backup Sergei Bobrovsky in the meantime. Johansson has put up an .885 SV% in nine games this season, sitting on a 3-2 record.
Los Angeles Kings: Carl Grundstrom (L)/Christian Wolanin (D) - The two depth players in the Kings lineup were placed into COVID protocol yesterday and will not be available tonight against Nashville. Martin Frk is currently slated to make his 2021-22 debut in the place of Grundstrom alongside Kupari/Andersson. Frk has accumulated 39 points in 118 NHL games over his career. When it comes to the backend, Sean Durzi is anticipated to make his return to the lineup. The rookie has seven points in 15 games, being utilized on the powerplay often.
Minnesota Wild: Nick Bjugstad (C/R) - In an unfortunate situation in practice, Bjugstad was injured and did not return after being slashed during a powerplay session. I believe Rem Pitlick will be slotted back into L4 with Sturm/Dewar, following the recall of Boldy/Rossi from the minors. Pitlick has been solid offensively with eleven points in 18 games.
Philadelphia Flyers: Travis Konecny (R)/Travis Sanheim (D) - It seems the COVID outbreak may run its course through the Flyers next as the list grew from two to four yesterday. I imagine Derrick Brassard will replace Konecny on L3 with Frost/Lindblom, sitting on eleven points in 18 games. They will need to dig deep for a defenseman to play alongside Rasmus Ristolainen. If they go with a veteran, Adam Clendening is an option. He has totaled 25 points in 97 NHL games over his career.
Vancouver Canucks: Elias Pettersson (C) - The star center was placed into COVID protocol yesterday, resulting in a postponement of their game against the Islanders. He put the number over a handful at this point. If the league wants them to forge on this weekend with what they have, I’d expect Bo Horvat to be placed at C1 between Garland/Pearson. They are already going with an 11/7 look as it is, utilizing Brad Hunt as an extra defenseman. Sheldon Rempal could skate within the bottom five forwards, a player who is better suited for the AHL than the NHL.