Morning Player Notes in the Draft (Oct 3)

The Minnesota Wild have confirmed on Monday that they will be starting the season without forward Zach Parise for the first two games of the season, Thursday night in Detroit and then Saturday in Carolina, hoping for good news when they return home next Monday, before heading back out to Chicago on the Thursday.  Parise has reportedly been dealing with a back issue, which had forced him to miss all of training camp and the preseason, but hasn't been able to find his way to 100% health.

This was an issue that was believed to be minor, but Neil is going to be without his 6th round draft pick for a little while yet.  It seems likely that Parise will start the year on the Injured Reserve, retroactive to the injury happening, so he will be eligible to return at any time.

The Calgary Flames haven't officially announced the Jaromir Jagr signing just yet, as the player has yet to sort out some working visa issues with the Canadian authorities and the Flames have some shuffling around to do themselves, so it's not the biggest rush to get out there and get done. Yes, this does likely mean that Jagr will be unable to go for opening night tomorrow in Edmonton, but he won't likely be too far away.

Just the fact that Jagr is on his way to join his new team is a definite plus for Ryan, who made the 45-year old veteran his last pick in the draft, but it isn't a 100% active pick, since he will likely miss a game, maybe two, before suiting up for his first Canadian NHL club.

Finally, it sounds like the Ottawa Senators will have both Bobby Ryan and Derick Brassard in the lineup for opening night, barring any kind of major setbacks, as the final roster should be released today, with the deadline for the roster passing here.  Ryan had a preseason groin issue, which kept him out of the preseason finale, while Brassard didn't see any preseason time, but the team expects him to be ready, coming off of off-season shoulder surgery.

For Stacey C. and Wes, both should be breathing a bit easier, as the season kicks off for Ottawa on Thursday night, with the Capitals in town, as they won't be missing any key time due to injury.  We will have more updates, if any are posted, but the expectation is for good news.