Morning Hits: Petry, Nichushkin, Horton, Gudas, Booth and More
  • Bruce McCurdy: Oilers coach Dallas Eakins said that special teams needs as his driving decision to bench Jeff Petry, but he was their top penalty killing defenseman (SHTOI/G) from the past two seasons.
  • Ryan Rishaug: Since he missed all of training camp, the Oilers may not want to have Petry playing in back-to-back games just yet. Might have something to do with his benching.
  • Mike Heika: Stars GM Jim Nill said that they will sit Valeri Nichushkin for a week to rest is sore groin.
  • Jimmy Murphy: As with what Elliotte Friedman said last week, source says that talk that Blue Jackets Nathan Horton is “done for good” are “premature”. He is “bad” though.
  • Joe Smith: Lightning’s Radko Gudas is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
  • John Hoven: The Kings put Trevor Lewis on the IR.
  • Mark Masters: Maple Leafs David Booth is still in a walking boot and said he’s likely out until mid-November.
  • Ben Kuzma: Canucks Bo Horvat skated yesterday on his own. He’s three or four days away from being able to practice.
  • Ansar Khan: Jimmy Howard will start in net for the Red Wings tonight.
  • Craig Morgan: Mike Smith will start in net for the Coyotes.