Gudbranson has missed the last 12 games with an upper-body injury but it looks like he will return tonight vs. the Canadiens. This is a boost to the Canucks blueline, but the veteran defenseman has yet to record a point in 21 games this season.
Fasching has picked up six goals and three assists (nine points) in 21 games with Rochester. Fasching has just three points (1G / 2A) in his first 17 career NHL games and likely won’t be the answer the Sabres are searching for after being shutout for the third straight game.
Smith has been a healthy scratch for the last six games, but will return to the Rangers blueline tonight in Columbus. Smith, who has two assists in 11 games this season, will replace Steve Kampfer tonight.
The original timetable on Coyle’s expected return was 6-to-8 weeks and we are currently at the four-week mark. It appears that Coyle is right on schedule but he still has at least a few weeks before he actually gets into the Wild lineup. q
Heinen had a nice run with the Bruins, registering three assists in three games during his call-up. With Patrice Bergeron and David Backes expected to play on Thursday, the Bruins needed to clear some roster spots. Heinen had one assist in one game with Providence before his call-up and he will likely be one of the first forwards brought back from the AHL.
With Coyle expected to miss at least a month and a half, the Wild have placed him on LTIR which opens up a roster spot and gives them some cap relief. This is a huge loss for the Wild as Coyle already had two assists in three games and is coming off of a season in which he recorded 56 points (18G / 38A) in 82 games.
Coyle was hit by a shot in Thursday’s win over the Blackhawks and has already been ruled out for Saturday’s contest. The Wild are extremely banged up up front with Coyle joining Zach Parise, Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter and Marcus Foligno in the press box.
