Horvat, 19, has missed time due to a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason, but he is nearing a return which means he is nearing his NHL debut. The 2013 ninth overall pick had 30 goals and 44 assists (74 points) in 54 games with the London Knights of the OHL last season. He is a big body at 6-foot, 206 lbs. and is ready to make an impact at the NHL level.
Drouin will not play on Tuesday and has yet to participate in any contact drills. He stayed on late this morning and worked on faceoffs, so the rookie is getting closer. Contact is the next step in getting Drouin ready to make his NHL debut.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 33 shots in a 3-0 loss to the Wild on Saturday. Overall he allowed seven goals on 71 shots (.901 SV%) in the home-and-home series while the Avalanche scored zero goals. On Tuesday, he takes on a Leafs team coming off of a big win over the Rangers on Sunday.
According to the Lightning coach, Drouin has one last check-up before he is cleared to make his NHL debut. The Lightning play tomorrow as well, so it sounds like he could be cleared to play on Tuesday. There is still no word on who Drouin will play with when he gets into the lineup.
Drouin was on the ice for the morning skate once again, but did not take part in line rushes, so it does not look like he will be making hi NHL debut tonight. The Lightning play tomorrow as well, so consider him questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Devils.
Varlamov was yanked after 40 minutes after allowing five goals on 38 shots in Colorado's 5-0 loss to the Wild on Thursday. It was not entirely Varlamov's fault, the Avs simply were not ready for the Wild who came out flying. Minny set a franchise record with 48 shots on the night, don't expect that to happen again, look for Varly to bounce-back on home ice.
Varlamov went 1-2 with a 2.31 GAA and .913 SV% in three preseason outings. Despite some legal troubles last season, Varly turned-in a great season in his first under head coach Patrick Roy. He led the NHL in wins (41) and finished with the league's third highest SV% (.927) and 20th GAA (2.41). The Avalanche appear ready to make another playoff push and they will lean heavily on Varlamov to get them there.
Drouin is participating in practice this morning and reportedly taking part in shooting drills, which is a good sign as he works his way back from a fractured thumb. He is not at 100%, but he is getting close.
Varlamov went 1-2 with a 2.31 GAA and .913 SV% in three preseason outings. Despite some legal troubles last season, Varly turned-in a great season in his first under head coach Patrick Roy. He led the NHL in wins (41) and finished with the league's third highest SV% (.927) and 20th GAA (2.41). The Avalanche appear ready to make another playoff push and they will lean heavily on Varlamov to get them there.
Head coach Jon Cooper said that Drouin was all but ruled out for Thursday, but with full participation today we will see if that changes after practice. Regardless, Drouin is on the brink of a return.
Duclair, 19, was the Rangers third round pick (80th overall) in 2013. He had a great training camp after posted 50 goals and 49 assists (99 points) in 59 games with the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL). He will start his NHL career on New York's third line with J.T Miller and Lee Stempniak.
Drouin is at the two-week point in a three-four week timetable. Drouin was expected to miss a handful of games to start the season and that appears to still be the case. Monitor his status as the season approaches, but he will need to shed that no-contact jersey before he gets in the lineup.
Drouin will miss the start of the season, but should only miss a handful of games. This is a disappointing way for the rookie to start his season, but he will still be an electric difference maker for the Lightning this season. Don't let the injury hurt his draft stock .
Palmieri is targeting a return in the Ducks' final preseason game on October 4th, so he should be ready to go to start the season. He is coming off of a 14-goal, 17 assist season in 2013-14.
Cizikas, 23, plays a strong two-way game. He had six goals and 10 assists (16 points) in 80 games with the Isles last season. He averaged 13:22 TOI per game, and 2:25 of that was spent on the penalty kill. That led all Islanders forwards and ranked fourth on the team.
Varlamov surrendered three goals on 21 shots in the 5-2 game 6 loss in Minnesota. The home team has won every game in this series, so the Avalanche have that going for them, but the will need to be much better than they were on Monday. Varly was a bit off in game 6 and has not had all that much success in his first three game 7's--he has gone 1-2 with a 2.99 GAA and .857 SV%.
Varlamov allowed three goals on 32 shots in a 4-3 overtime win in game 5. The Avalanche will look to finish the Wild's season tonight in Minnesota. They get a big boost with Matt Duchene (knee) returning to the lineup. Varly has a 2.33 GAA and .931 SV% in the first five games.
Varlamov did not play particularly well in Game 1 but looks to rebound for Game 2 tonight.
Varlamov was sensational for the Avalanche this season. He led the NHL with 41 wins and posted a strong 2.41 GAA and .927 SV%. He has won seven of his last eight starts and comes into the playoffs as the leagues' hottest netminder. He was 3-0-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .929 SV% vs. the Wild this season.
Varlamov stopped 38 of 40 shots in a win over the Canucks on Thursday. He set the new Avalanche franchise record with 41 regular season wins. Varlamov has been unreal as of late, having won seven of his last eight starts. The Avalanche will give him the nod tonight to try and win the Central Division a season after finishing 29th in the NHL.
