Player Notes in the Draft (Oct 2)

As expected, the Carolina Hurricanes did recall rookie defenseman Ryan Murphy on Tuesday, a few days ahead of the team's opening game, home to the Red Wings on Friday.  The move to send down the youngster was primarily cap-related, as some movement up and down through the minors and a top end entry-level contract was necessary, as the Hurricanes are saving as much cap room as possible through the year.

Murphy should have a solid spot on the team and should be a good pick through the year.  Murphy was the second-to-last pick in the draft, by Allan S., so there was very little risk to take a rookie defenseman in this spot.

The New York Islanders were without speedy forward Michael Grabner at practice on Tuesday, as he was sitting out with a bout of the flu.  The Islanders do not kick off their season until Friday as well, so there should be plenty of time to get himself recovered and ready to go.  Grabner was back at practice on Wednesday morning, so this update is just for reference sake.

Grabner is Dale C.'s 11th round pick, 263rd overall, looking to be a pretty good sleeper pick this year.

Much like Ryan Murphy above, Beau Bennett was recalled from the minors on Wednesday morning, a day ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins' opening game, tomorrow at home to the Devils.  The Penguins are one of ten teams that are already employing the Long Term Injury Reserve cap relief on this season, saving some cap hits on players that are injured for 10 game or more, so cap space is at a premium.  Bennett should be figuring into the Pittsburgh top six, so he should be a good pick-up.

Bennett was Scott's 12th round pick, 276th overall, and his stock is on the rise.  There was little concern for Scott, who got off to a good start on Tuesday night, picking up 3 points, and should really be looking forward to the Penguins/Devils game.

The Washington Capitals opened their season on Tuesday night against the Blackhawks, a 6-4 loss, and they were able to do so with forward Brooks Laich in their line-up, who was battling a hip injury in the preseason. Laich played over 17 minutes in the opening game and had a shot on goal, a couple of hits and had a -2 rating in the game.

Just being in the line-up should be good for Allan S., who had picked Laich in the 11th round (242nd overall), but with six players going on Tuesday night and only 1 point to show for it, Allan may have been asking for a little bit more from his guy.

The Winnipeg Jets spoiled the home opener for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night, 5-4, and did so with defenseman Zach Bogosian in the line-up.  Bogosian opened up his season with 1 assist in the win, which isn't a bad start for the defender.  Bogosian was on the ice for over 22 minutes, had a shot on net and was a +2 in the game, which can only mean good things for the Jets going forward.

Bogosian was Stacey C.'s 7th round pick, 159th overall, so there is some higher expectations for the Winnipeg blueliner.  Having that early point was good, especially since Stacey had the second-most players playing in the night.