Morning Player Notes (Oct 26)

It was a healthy scratch kind of night in the hockey pool, as we added a few new ones to the list on Thursday.  Starting with the Flames, off-season acquisition Derek Ryan was a scratch for the drubbing they got against the Penguins, sitting for the first time this season.  The 31-year old has a goal and an assist in the first nine games this season and his move to the press box has to be performance related, but maybe the Flames could have used him last night.

Mike's team probably could have used him as well, as his team has only been mediocre this week, posting 11 points through Thursday night's action.  His team sits in 18th, 15 points back of 3rd place, which isn't too bad to overcome, but he needs those bodies in the lineup.

Lots of questions surrounding the future of Jesse Puljujarvi with the Edmonton Oilers, as the 4th overall pick in the 2016 entry draft has not been blossoming as quickly as the Oilers would have hoped, now in his third professional season.  The 20-year old only has 1 goal in his first seven games this season and has been dropping down the depth chart as the games have been rolling by, to the point that he was up in the press box on Thursday. 

I'm sure Chelsea was banking on a breakout season from the top pick, but her team is doing just fine this week without him.  Her team is in the running for the Mover & Shaker nod at 18 points and it has moved up three spots as well.  Still, getting that Finn going would be a huge help.

Finally, the Pittsburgh Penguins laid a solid beating on the Calgary Flames and there is no bigger disappointment than seeing that happen and one of your hockey pool players finding his way up to the press box as a scratch.  Rookie forward Daniel Sprong was exactly that player, missing out on the goal-scoring festival that the Penguins delighted themselves in, a 9-1 win.  There has been no word on whether or not Sprong will draw back in on Saturday for their next game in Vancouver.

Jesse's team hasn't exactly had a good week, to this point, picking up only 12 points through Thursday night and dropping down to 10th place.  His team will open play on Friday night only 11 points back of 3rd place, but I'm sure he'll rue this miss that was last night.