Quick Hits: Injury Updates, Blues Miss Game, Evander Kane Ejected and Oilers Blue Line
Evander Kane ejected for abuse of an official.
© Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Injury Updates

Craig Morgan: Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta is still listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Chip Alexander: Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said that defenseman Jake Gardiner is the most worrisome of their injured players ahead of Thursday’s opener.

Brett Finger: Hurricanes forward Ryan Dzingel skated yesterday.

Brind’Amour said that Gardiner’s issue is not related to the back injury that he had last season.

Defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk isn’t close to returning.

Winnipeg Jets PR: Jets forward Brian Little left yesterday’s game with an upper-body injury.

  • Ken Wiebe: Coach Paul Maurice didn’t have an update on Little’s status. He wouldn’t say if it was a concussion or not.  The Jets don’t practice today so an update could come on Tuesday.
Blues don’t make it preseason game

St. Louis Blues: St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong: “Due to an unforeseen mechanical issue with our chartered aircraft, we are unable to travel to Columbus for tonight’s game. We apologize to the Blue Jackets and their fans for this inconvenience”

Evander Kane ejected for abuse of an official and he thinks it’s a joke

Seventh defenseman battle for the Oilers

Jason Gregor: Defensemen William Lagesson and Brandon Manning could be battling for the last spot on the Edmonton Oilers blue line. Will money play role?

“If Lagesson is here and Manning goes to minors their combined cap hit is $1.916.666. If Manning here and Lagesson in minors cap hit is $2.25m. Ability and cap savings suggest Lagesson makes more sense to be on 23-man roster, unless Persson healthy.”

Jim Matheson: “True enough but dollar disparity isn’t that great, and you have to think Oilers would rather sit Manning as a 7th for games than younger Lagesson. But trying to correctly figure all ins and outs of player decisions is fool’s errand.”

Jason Gregor: When Joel Persson is activated, the job will likely go to him anyway. Lagesson’s extra pay for the few games could be a reward for having a good training camp.