Player Notes in the Draft (Oct 12)

How about some good news today? The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled forward Brandon Pirri from the minors on Saturday, who will be taking over a depth position from Jimmy Hayes, early on this season.  The Blackhawks are stacked with some interchangeable depth players and it doesn't look like they're afraid to use it, especially this early in the season.  It sounds like Pirri will probably make his season debut tonight against the Sabres.

With Pirri back in the line-up, this means that Dale C. has one of his two forwards that were held off the scoresheet back in the line-up.  Dale sits in 21st place, going into Saturday's action, currently sitting 10 points out of the top 10, so a big night is really needed.

The Colorado Avalanche have announced that they have activated defenseman Ryan Wilson from the Injured Reserve on Saturday and they expect him to be in the line-up tonight, as the Avalanche face-off against the Washington Capitals. Wilson has been on the shelf with a knee injury since training camp and now is good to go.  The Avalanche have sent Matt Hunwick down to the minors to make room for Wilson, which is an even better sign.

Wilson belongs to Dale C. this season, his 14th round pick, and should improve some below-average defenseman numbers this year.  Dale only has 5 points from the blueline, the pool average is only 6 points.  So far, it has been a good day for Dale C.

The Dallas Stars had to go to their back-up goalie on Friday night, as their starter was unable to finish the game against the Winnipeg Jets. Kari Lehtonen left the game in the 2nd period with a lower-body injury and did not return to the game, leaving Dan Ellis in charge of the net for the rest of the game. Lehtonen was in for the winning goal and got credit for the win on Friday, but the real concern is when he will be able to return to the net.  As of Saturday morning, there was no immediate word, but there should be something soon, as the Stars are in Minnesota on Saturday night, but we should expect Ellis to get the start.

Tough break for Dale B., who goes into Saturday night's action in 7th place, 10 points out of 1st place.  Lehtonen was Dale's 2nd round pick this year, so there is a lot of stock in the Finnish netminder and the results he gives the Stars.

The Philadelphia Flyers have not been playing very well this year, which was a surprise to many and the surprises kept on rolling.  Well, things didn't get much better on Friday night, as both Scott Hartnell and Vincent Lecavalier left the game against the Coyotes with injuries, didn't return and have both been quoted to possibly be out a week.  Hartnell suffered an upper-body injury and Lecavalier suffered a lower-body injury in separate incidents in the game and the coaching staff is expecting them both to be out for a week, at least, but was not offering up much more for details.

Hartnell belongs to Scott G., who goes into Saturday's action in 10th place, 3 points out of 4th place and 12 points out of 1st.  Hartnell has been held pointless in the first five games of the season, which was likely the difference between Scott being in 10th and not being in the money already.  Lecavalier, on the other hand, belongs to John S., who currently sits 23rd, 1 point out of last place and 2 points out of 22nd.  Lecavalier does have 3 points already and has been one of John's better players thus far.