Afternoon Player Notes in the Draft (Feb 21)

The Ottawa Senators coaching staff did update some injury news from the weekend, giving a little more clarity on the situation. Bobby Ryan does have a broken finger and is now expected to be out 4-to-6 weeks and should have already been placed on the Injured Reserve, due to their recent call-ups and maximum roster sizes. Mark Stone is day-to-day with a neck injury and isn't suffering from any head/concussion issues, so he could be back whenever. Mike Hoffman is currently dealing with a groin injury and is also day-to-day right now. Neither Stone or Hoffman were on the ice for the morning skate today, so it does seem doubtful that they'll play against the Devils tonight.

Bad news for Wes and double the bad news for Derek B., as they will be missing time with these injuries, by the look of things.  Both pool teams are in the bottom half of the standings, but it makes it less fun for them down the stretch, for sure.

There was a quick update on Steven Stamkos today, as he was on the ice and skating with coaches.  There was no timetable update as to when he would return to the lineup, but his knee injury seems to be healing in reasonable time.

Benson has been banking on a quicker return for Stamkos, trying to get back on track in the overall standings, but it looks like slow and steady will win this race and will keep Benson from winning the overall race in the pool.

You may have seen Mitch Marner being placed on the Injured Reserve today and there might be some extra concern, but all it really does is confirm that he won't be in the lineup tonight against the Jets, but any time afterwards, he will be eligible to come off from his upper-body injury.  His placement will just open a roster spot, if necessary, nothing more, really.  He's still considered day-to-day and could be back in before the end of the week, assuming the doctors give him clearance.

Dale B. and his 2-point lead in the standings certainly hopes for a quick return, as Marner has been huge in his overall points total.  A quick return would bode exceptionally well for keeping the lead before the end of the week.