Valimaki is a mobile defenseman that oozes with offensive ability. The Finnish blueliner piled up 61 points (19G / 42A) in 60 games with the Tri-City Americans—good for fourth on the team. He’ll bring a lot of high-octane offence to the Flames blueline in the future.
The Canadiens made Sergachev the No.9 overall pick last summer and gave him four games at the NHL level before sending him back to the Windsor Spitfires. In Windsor, Sergachev scored 10 goals with 33 assists (43 points) in 50 regular season games and had four points (1G / 3A) in four games to help the Spitfires win the Memorial Cup. Since Sergachev doesn’t have to be protected and Drouin did, this deal gives the Lightning an extra protection slot heading into next weeks expansion draft.
Keller, 18, was the seventh overall pick this summer and is coming off of a fantastic freshman season at Boston University. He led the team with 45 points (21G / 24A) in 31 games and will draw right into the Coyotes lineup on Monday. He is worth a stash in keeper leagues, because he should break camp next fall with the Coyotes.
Tanev, 25, has split his time between the AHL and NHL this season. He has two goals and two assists (four points) in 45 games with the Jets and nine points (3G / 6A) in 23 games with the Moose.
Schmaltz was not on the ice for the morning skate, which suggests he will not play tonight vs. the Islanders. With Schmaltz out, Ryan Hartman skated on the top line this morning and Jordin Tootoo is expected to play.
Connauton played just 9:17 before departing last night’s loss in Buffalo. He was injured on a hit from Sabres’ forward Marcus Foligno and is listed as day-to-day. Don’t expect him to be in the lineup in Carolina on Friday night.
Rooney, 23, has registered 17 points (10G / 7A) in 57 games with Albany this season and signed his entry-level deal on Monday. There’s no word whether Rooney will make his NHL debut on Thursday in Washington.
Schmidt has occasionally come out of the lineup in favour of Taylor Chorney this season and tonight will be one of those nights. Schmidt has 14 points (1G / 13A) in 51 games this season and will likely draw back into the lineup on Friday.
Tanev appeared in the last three games with the Jets, but will head down to Manitoba during the Jets’ bye week. Tanev has one goal and four assists (five points) in 10 games with the Moose.
Maatta played just 7:38 before leaving last night’s game with a hand injury. The Penguins quickly announced that he underwent surgery and will likely miss the remainder of the regular season. Expect the Penguins to place him on LTIR to create a roster spot and earn some cap relief ahead of the 2017 trade deadline.
Crouse is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and is not in Calgary with the team. Crouse will not play Tuesday either, but will be evaluated over the next few days and could join the team in Los Angeles on Thursday. Crouse will be replaced by Josh Jooris in the lineup tonight.
Tanev has been a healthy scratch for the last two games and with Drew Stafford set to return to the lineup on Tuesday, Taven has been sent to Manitoba, where he has three points (1G / 2A) in six games this season.
Tanev has not been in the lineup since December 20th, but he will replace Drew Stafford (lower-body) tonight vs. Ducks. The 25-year-old winger has two goals and two assists (four points) in 35 games this season.
O’Brien played just 6:08 TOI in his season debut on Monday, but it looks like T.J. Oshie is ready to play on Wednesday, so O’Brien returns to Hershey.
With Patrik Laine out, Tanev has been recalled and could draw into the lineup on Monday. Since being sent down in late-December, Tanev scored one goal with two assists (three points) in six games with Manitoba. Tanev or Chris Thorburn will play in place of Laine.
O’Brien, 22, appeared in 13 games with the Capitals last season, but he is set to make his season debut on Monday. O’Brien has five goals and 13 assists (18 points) in 28 games with Hershey this season and comes to the Capitals with one goal and one assist in his NHL career. T.J. Oshie is doubtful to play tonight, which is why O’Brien was recalled.
