Player Notes in the Draft (Oct 24)

The Boston Bruins are holding their breath, as they await the official word on Loui Eriksson's condition, after he was destroyed by Buffalo Sabres defenseman John Scott on Wednesday night.  Scott caught Eriksson with a blindside shot to the head in open ice, which forced the Swedish forward out of the game.  Scott has been called to the carpet by the NHL Department of Player Safety, with the expectation of a serious suspension, to which Eriksson's injury situation will likely be considered.

Terrible luck for Ryan M., who is now facing time with a fifth player now on the shelf for the long-term.  Ryan is already without Dan Boyle and Lubomir Visnovsky to concussions, Tim Thomas to a lower-body injury and Ryan Strome to the minors.  Ryan finished Wednesday night in 15th place, with 67 points.

The New York Rangers will have a brand new look, as they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers, as Henrik Lundqvist won't be anywhere to be found at ice-level, as he deals with an undisclosed injury, which has been nagging the All-Star goalie for quite some time.  It appears to be a player/team decision to try and get back to 100% in the early part of the season, rather than deal with the pain and possibly have it get worse for the stretch run.  Lundqvist is considered to be day-to-day with the injury, but there is no official word to when he'll return.

I would have to believe that Dale B. is hoping that this layoff is shorter, rather than longer, as he sits in 16th place after Wednesday night, but he is only 7 points out of the top 10 and only 17 points out of the prizing.  If Lundqvist can get back to 100%, the points should just roll in for him... in theory.

It was a curious decision to scratch defenseman Patrick Weircioch on Wednesday night against the Red Wings, but the Ottawa Senators coaching staff cited that between the size of the young defender and the speed of the Red Wings, it was just a strategic move.  Weircioch is expected to be back in the line-up for Ottawa's next game, Friday, at home to Anaheim.

Weircioch has been Doug's best defenseman to start the season, picking up 5 assists in the first eight games of the season, nearly accounting for half of his blueline points through Wednesday night.  Doug finished the night in 22nd in the standings, but he is one good night away from quickly moving up in the tight race, which we call, "the middle of the pack."