Drouin suffered a fractured thumb in the preseason and has been working his way back from the injury and is believed to be close to returning. However, it looks like the Lightning will take a slow approach with Drouin and ease him back into playing with Syracuse before he makes his NHL debut.
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.
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.
It is up to the coaching staff whether Fowler will play, but if he does it will be on the Ducks second pair with his usual partner Ben Lovejoy. He is coming off of a strong season, having posted six goals and 30 assists (36 points) in 70 games. He has 40 points in his rookie season and on a high-octane Ducks' offence he could get back there this season.
Fowler skated hard on Wednesday and is on the ice this morning in his regular spot with Ben Lovejoy. This is a good sign for Fowler's availability tonight, but we will get an official update following the gameday skate.
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.
Fowler had been skating on his own after missing the final preseason game with a leg injury. His status for Thursday's season opener is still unknown, but participating in full practice this morning is a good sign that he should be ready for the clash with Penguins. Expect an update after practice.
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.
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.
Krug, 23, had 14 goals and 26 assists (40 points) with a plus-18 rating in his rookie season. The 5-foot-9 defenseman has a ton of offensive talent and will play a prominent role on the Bruins' power-play this season. The $1.4 million dollar cap-hit is a one-year steal for the Bruins. He will be a restricted free-agent at the end of next season.
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 .
Fowler was originally listed as a game-time decision, but he is on the ice for pre-game warmups and Luca Sbisa is not, so Fowler will return. Fowler has not played since March 16th because of a leg injury. He will be paired with Stephane Robidas.
Fowler has been out since March 14th with a leg injury. His return would be huge for the Ducks blueline, having put home six goals with 30 assists (36 points) in 67 games this season. Puck-drop is at 10:30 p.m ET tonight, so monitor his status in warm-ups at 10 p.m.
Fowler is not expected to be back in the lineup tonight in Vancouver, but after missing the last 11 games, he should return either Wednesday or Saturday.
Fowler will miss his ninth straight game tonight, but appears to be on pace to play in a few games before the playoffs start. He has been great this season recording 36 points (6G / 30A) with a plus-15 rating in 67 games this season.
Fowler's knee injury will cost him the remainder of the regular season. He is safe to drop in one-year fantasy formats, but remains a strong keeper option on the backend. Stephane Robidas will likely stay in the Ducks lineup with Fowler out.
Fowler will miss his second straight game tonight, and depending on the MRI results, he could miss a lot more.
Expect a definite timeline for his recovery to be announced on Tuesday.
Fowler missed Saturday's game after suffering a lower-body injury on Thursday in Colorado. The Ducks have an extremely deep blueline, so Fowler will not be rushed back. His absence likely opens the door for Stephane Robidas to make his Ducks debut on Tuesday.
