Player Notes in the Draft (Mar 2)

The Stadium Series game proved to be a tad costly for the Blackhawks, despite a 5-1 win at Soldier Field in Chicago over the Penguins, as they lost the services of Marian Hossa... again. Hossa reportedly left the game with an upper-body injury and was unable to return, playing just over five minutes in the game.  There was no indication of the severity of the injury on Sunday morning, but with the trade deadline coming up on Wednesday, curiosity about what Chicago may do at the deadline will go up, if Hossa's injury is substantial enough.

Hossa is Ryan M.'s 2nd best forward this season, 3rd best player, with 50 points to date in the 2014 season and has done a good job to carry his team.  Ryan sits in 14th place, only 2 points out of 12th, but 40 points out of 1st place.  It looks like his side is playing for personal pride in the last weeks of the season.

A lower-body injury kept first time pool defenseman Brenden Dillon out of the Dallas Stars line-up on Saturday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  The nature of the injury wasn't disclosed, but the coaching staff for the Stars suggested that this injury may only cost the young defender a couple of days.  Dillon has been a bright spot on the Stars' blueline this season, picking up 14 points in 59 games this year and has become a regular piece in the line-up for the club.

Another injury hit for Ryan M., who picked Dillon in the first Waiver Draft this year.  Ryan has collected 5 points in 37 games from the 23-year old defender, likely somewhat disappointing numbers for him, trying to improve his blueline.

New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic will not be on the ice for the team on Sunday afternoon, when they take on the Florida Panthers at home, as he incurred a 1-game suspension for instigating a fight in the last five minutes of the the game against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon.  Hamonic, in a bout of frustration, down 6-1 already, attacked Devils forward Ryan Carter, through some punches on an unwilling opponent and for his troubles, earned 27 minutes in penalties and the extra game ban.

Hamonic belongs to Clayton in the draft this year, playing on one of the underwhelming bluelines in the pool this year.  Clayton has only had 73 points from his back four this year, well-below the pool average (90) to this point in the season.  Clayton will go into Sunday in 10th place, now 11 points out of 4th.