Morning Training Camp Injury Notes (Oct 8 - Draft Day Edition)

The last injury updates before we draft are a go and they begin with the Bruins, who are slowing down defenseman Adam McQuaid in training camp, as he is dealing with an undisclosed injury.  The Bruins defense are already taking some knocks in this preseason and training camp, because Kevan Miller is also dealing with a minor knock after blocking a shot, but both are expected to be ready for opening night, but their level of health may or may not be 100%.  Who knows?

Heading into the season, I have both of these defensemen in the 15-point range, which would be scraping the bottom of the pool defensemen, unless we get really deep today.  It's always a possibility, I suppose.

One defenseman that will be counted on for some big points in the 2017 season will be Carolina's Justin Faulk, but he was forced from Friday night's game against the Washington Capitals, due to a lower-body injury.  The team has announced that his removal from the game was strictly precautionary and there was no significant injury to be had.  The Hurricanes' preseason is now done, so he won't be able to take in any more action until they open the season on Thursday in Winnipeg.

Finally, a scary moment in the game between the Red Wings and the Maple Leafs, as Detroit forward Ben Street was clipped in the face/neck area by Toronto's Justin Holl.  Street was rushed off the ice and to a local hospital, where the team has said that the player is in stable condition and will be okay.

Street isn't expected to make the team out of camp, but he might be sticking around on an injury ticket, before being loaned to Grand Rapids of the AHL.

San Jose Sharks winger Joel Ward is reportedly dealing with a nagging lower-body injury, which has kept him out of some of the last preseason action for his club, but all indications are pointing to him being ready for opening night.  The rough & tumble forward is usually good for a pool appearance every year and this year should be no different, especially with a motivated Sharks team.  I have him currently in the 40 points range and I am sure whatever it is that is ailing him is something he can play through, if all the reports are correct.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely going to be a far more entertaining team to watch in the 2017 season, but that doesn't mean they're going to win a lot of games, it'll be their losses will be a little less dreary to the eye.  Saying that, some of their youth might be interesting picks, but do avoid Nikita Soshnikov, who did make an impression last season, as he is dealing with a lower-body injury and once healthy, will be sent down to the AHL for the immediate future, as per the coaching staff.  He may have been one of those you'd have penciled in for points, but it won't be for a while yet.

The Washington Capitals are dealing with a couple of minor injuries, as Marcus Johansson and Tom Wilson have been missing preseason time to some injuries. Johansson (lower-body) is supposed to be on track for opening night, but Wilson (upper-body) might have a cloudier outlook, as no one has really come out and said, one way or the other, whether or not he'll be good to go.  Johansson has some real pool value, while Wilson is a fringe scorer, but would have some value, if the PIM Pool was to load up again in the mini-games.  Both are listed as day-to-day for right now.