Afternoon Player Notes in the Draft (Oct 17)

The Blue Jackets are still struggling to find their first win, as they allowed the Maple Leafs to get theirs against them on Friday night.  With those struggles, come lineup juggles, which cost defenseman Kevin Connauton a place on the blueline in the game against Toronto.  That obviously didn't help much, but maybe when he is reinserted into the lineup, things will turn around for him and the fortunes of the team.

This was another game stricken from the record for Wes, who hasn't seen a great deal of production from many places in his lineup.  Connauton has yet to register a point in four games with the Jackets, so he's desperately hoping for some production there.

An undisclosed injury appears to be the reason why Tyler Bozak won't likely be in the lineup on Saturday night, as the Maple Leafs will welcome Phil Kessel and the Penguins into town for Hockey Night in Canada.  Bozak was hurt against the Blue Jackets on Friday night and the speculation is that he will miss Saturday's game, since he wasn't at the morning skate.  Until there is a public diagnosis, we'll have him out day-to-day with the undisclosed injury.

Allan had a decent Friday night in points without Bozak's help after his injury, as his team moved up to 15th in the standings.  Having another body go out of the lineup likely won't help though.  In four games this season, Bozak only has a goal and an assist, so Allan needs him to get healthy and back on track quickly.

On a more positve note, the New York Islanders announced that defenseman Thomas Hickey has been activated from the Injured Reserve, as his hand/wrist injury has healed and he is now ready to get his 2016 campaign underway. It sounds like there is a pretty good chance that he will dress for the game at home against the San Jose Sharks.

Cindy hasn't had the most luck yet this season, but things could start to get a little bit better with the arrival of Hickey from the Injured Reserve.  Her team currently sits in 21st place, already 19 points out of 1st place, but still with one player on the IR and the other in the minors.

Another scheduled return is set to happen, as the Boston Bruins have waited their week of concussion protocol with forward Brad Marchand and he has been cleared to return and should be in the lineup for Saturday night's game, away to the Arizona Coyotes.

This is good news for Brian and his team, which is in need of a little bit of an offensive boost, maybe less so than a goalie influx, but still, his team has to make up ground somewhere.  Brian's team goes into Saturday night in 20th spot, 18 points back of 1st place.

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