Murphy has landed on IR to begin the 2019-20 season but is not expected to be sidelined long-term. Slater Koekkoek will open the year as the Blackhawks No.6 defensemen while Murphy is out.
The Wild acquired Donato in the Charlie Coyle trade and the Harvard grad picked up 16 points (4G / 12A) in 22 games with Minnesota after the trade. The 24-year-old has gifted hands and middle-6 potential but his position to start 2020 is uncertain. He had a strong showing to end last season but the additions of Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman will likely push him down the depth chart and maybe to the AHL to being the year.
Toninato, who appeared in 37 games with the Avalanche in 2017-18, played in just two NHL games last season. The 25-year-old had 14 goals and 15 assists (29 points) in 57 AHL games and has a chance to crack the Florida roster as their fouth-line centre in 2020.
Burakovsky was picked No.23 overall back in 2013 but has yet to top 40 points in five NHL seasons. In his defence, Burakovsky has never played more than 13:50 TOI/gm, so the Avalanche will see what he can do for them in a larger role. The 24-year-old has tremendous speed, a great shot but had just 12 goals and 13 assists (25 points) in 76 games a season ago.
There seemed to be some optimism that Grzelcyk would be able to return in Game 5 after being listed as a game-time decision, but the Bruins defenseman will be held out once again for Game 6.
Grzelcyk has been sidelined by a concussion since Game 2 but is expected to draw back into the Bruins lineup for Game 5. Grzelcyk was on the ice for Wednesday’s practice and Thursday’s optional gameday skate and will likely replace Zdeno Chara (jaw), who is also a game-time decision. Grzelcyk is expected to play on the top-pairing and second power-play unit.
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said that Grzelcyk is “better than he was” but will miss Game 4 in St. Louis. Grzelcyk’s improvement leaves the door open for a potential Game 5 return when the series shifts back to Boston.
Grzelcyk was crunched from behind by Oskar Sundqvist in Game 2 and will not be available for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Sundqvist was handed a two-minute minor on the play but has been suspended for Game 3. John Moore is expected to replace Grzelcyk in the lineup on Saturday.
Mikheyev was a highly coveted forward, who had 23 goals and 22 assists (45 points) in 62 games with Omsk Avangard of the KHL. The 24-year-old is 6-foot-2 and 190 lbs and will bring a little size to the Maple Leafs forward group in 2019-20.
The initial X-rays on Grzelcyk’s arm injury came back negative but he will go back to Boston for further tests and will not play vs. the Blue Jackets. Steven Kampfer is expected to replace him on the third pairing.
Donato was a highly touted prospect coming out of Harvard University. The 22-year-old was picked in the second-round (No.56 overall) in 2014 and dazzled Bruins fans in a 12-game stint after turning pro late last season. However, Donato struggled to find his way this season, scoring just six goals with three assists (nine points) in 34 games. Since then he has been in the AHL, where he has 12 points (7G / 5A) in 18 games with Providence but could replace Coyle on the big-club as the Wild continue to push for a playoff berth.
Bertuzzi has missed the last seven games with a concussion but will play Saturday in Philadelphia. Bertuzzi could replace Frans Nielsen, who is questionable due to an illness. Bertuzzi has 13 goals and 15 assists (28 points) in 49 games this season.
