Western Conference News: Ducks, Coyotes, Flames, Blackhawks, Avs, Wild, Sharks and Jets
Ryan Kesler returns ... Mark Scheifele leaves with upper-body injury
On the Anaheim Ducks …

Anaheim Ducks: Forward Ryan Kesler returned to the lineup last night – his season debut.

On the Arizona Coyotes …

NHL: Forward Zac Rinaldo was suspended for six games for sucker punching Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard.

Craig Morgan: Coyotes GM John Chayka on Rinaldo’s suspension: “It’s an unfortunate play, a confluence of different events. Zac has a history of being suspended in the league, although it’s for different reasons, and obviously, that was heavily weighed… He made a mistake, so he gets punished.”

On the Calgary Flames …

Derek Wills: Forward Jaromir Jagr will travel with the team, and there is a chance he plays tonight in San Jose or against the Ducks on Friday.

On the Chicago Blackhawks …

Mark Lazerus: Goaltender Corey Crawford is out with an upper-body injury. Coach Joel Quenneville said he didn’t know if that meant weeks, and he wouldn’t say how the injury occurred.

Mark Lazerus: Quenneville on Corey Crawford:  “I’m going to say indefinite now until we get him on the ice and know more.”

On the Colorado Avalanche …

Adrian Dater: Defenseman Tyson Barrie will have surgery and will be out for four to six weeks.

On the Minnesota Wild …

Michael Russo: Forward Zach Parise has been sent to the AHL on a conditioning stint. He will play tonight.

On the San Jose Sharks …

Kevin Kurz: Coach Pete DeBoer confirms that forward Joe Pavelski had been dealing with a hand, wrist issue.

On the Winnipeg Jets …

Ken Wiebe: Coach Paul Maurice said that Dustin Byfuglien‘s lower-body injury is progressing well. He should be able to return to the lineup in early January. Maurice added that both Byfuglien and Toby Enstrom skated yesterday morning before the Jets morning skate.

Winnipeg Jets PR: Forward Mark Scheifele left last night’s game with an upper-body injury.

Sara Orlesky: Coach Paul Maurice believes they will have a better idea of the extent of Scheifele’s injury today.