Returns to the Line-Up on Wednesday

The Ducks welcomed back defenseman James Wisniewski to the line-up on Wednesday night. Wisniewski was sidelined with a shoulder injury, which was originally thought to be much worse than it turned out to be. Obviously, good news there. He also returned with an assist, which makes his Draft owner, Ryan, very happy.

The Bruins also welcomed back a key defenseman to their fold as well, as Dennis Wideman came back from a shoulder injury as well. Wideman's injury wasn't thought to be as bad as Wisniewski's, but he still left a great big gap on their blueline, regardless. Wideman didn't really come back with the same fanfare, but he did see almost 20 minutes in ice-time.

The Bruins also welcomed Dan Paille to their line-up after the deal that brought him to the team from the Sabres. He made an immediate impact, with an assist in the game.

The Sabres were very pleased to have Thomas Vanek back in their line-up on Wednesday night, as the coaching staff grossly over-estimated how bad his upper-body injury was. It was initially thought to be a week-to-week situation, but Vanek was back in action within only one week. Vanek, a Draft pick of Wayne's, scored a goal in his return to action on Wednesday night, which is certainly a huge lift for Buffalo.

Andrew Ebbett officially joined the Blackhawks line-up on Wednesday night versus the Canucks, but failed to register a point in just under six minutes of ice-time. Ebbett was claimed off of waivers earlier this week and it looks like he'll be taking on more of a fourth-line role with the team to start. He'll need more minutes than six to have any sort of fantasy impact on this team.

Steve Ott only ended up missing one week of action with his oblique strain, which did, in fact, qualify him for the Injured Reserve list, where the Stars could then recall a player to take his place. Ott scored his first goal of the season and also added an assist in the Dallas win over Anaheim last night, making an immediate impact back in the line-up.

The Wild were at home to the Avalanche on Wednesday and they were happy to welcome back Martin Havlat to the line-up after missing a couple of games with a groin injury. He was back to playing regular minutes for the club, but failed to register a point in the shootout win. The Wild also inserted newly-acquired Chuck Kobasew into the line-up on Wednesday, as he was acquired from the Bruins earlier in the week. Kobasew actually was a -2 in the game, still trying to learn the system in Minnesota.

Well, he was kind of forgotten about on the news page, but Alexander Sulzer, defenseman for the Predators, was recalled from the minors and saw his first NHL action of the season last night against the Bruins. Sulzer is a Box 14 defenseman on the Sheet and was overlooked when I was initially filling out the page at the beginning of the season. Not to worry though, as he wasn't taken to begin with anyways.

The Islanders re-inserted forward Frans Nielsen into their line-up for the first time this season. Nielsen suffered a preseason knee injury, which kept him out of the line-up for about the six weeks that was diagnosed at the time. He couldn't have shown up at a better time, helping his club to their first victory of the season on Wednesday night, beating the Hurricanes in a shootout.