Sheet Player News (Dec. 31)

On Friday, the Anaheim Ducks sent Box 9 forward Kyle Palmieri back down to Syracuse of the AHL, opening up some space in their line-up for a bit more toughness. Palmieri has 1 goal and 1 assist in seven games with the Ducks this year, but with the team struggling as a whole, they are in need of something to liven up the play.  I would expect to see Palmieri back with the club before too long, but for now, the Ducks really need to find a better way to get their feet underneath them and get some wins.

The indications out of Detroit is that Red Wings Box 9 forward Darren Helm is dealing with a minor groin problem, which was enough to keep the speedster out of Friday night's game against the Blackhawks. He is currently listed as out day-to-day, hard to say when he is expected back at the moment.  Helm is an above-average player in Box 9 with 12 points in 36 games for the Red Wings, but I don't think anyone has him on their team, with some other rookie phenoms occupying the box.

Young Predators forward Colin Wilson was held out of Friday night's game against the St. Louis Blues because of a minor upper-body injury. The team has suggested that the Box 5 forward would be out for the one game, but that didn't sound overly confident.  Wilson has been okay for the Predators this year, scoring 8 goals and 14 assists in 37 games, ranking well in that box this year.  If you were to have Wilson, you wouldn't have the box leader in scoring, but you certainly wouldn't trade him away for someone who is scoring just slightly more.

The Phoenix Coyotes have decided to send Box 9 forward Andy Miele back to the minors, after a 1-game call-up this week to the big club. Miele hasn't been much of an impact player since his off-season signing, but that goes with the history of the Coyotes and their reluctance to have young players in their line-up. Miele has played in seven games this year, failing to register a point.  I would assume we would see Miele again before the end of the year, but it will likely be an injury replacement and it would also be for a short-term stay.