Noon Player Notes in the Draft (Nov 21)

Before last night's game, it was announced that forward Jiri Hudler would not participate for the Flames against the Blackhawks, citing the flu. Hudler had missed a couple practices leading up to the game, so he was scratched from the game as well. He is considered day-to-day for right now, they Flames don't play again until Tuesday, where he'll be expected back.

Grant really could have used the help last night, since his team is in line for the Basement Dweller this week.  His team has only seen 5 points through the first five nights of the week, so he'll need a huge weekend, if he wants to avoid the shame.

Already down Hudler, the Flames also lost the services of Kris Russell in last night's game against the Blackhawks, suffering an upper-body injury, believed to be a hand injury.  Russell left the game in the 1st period, after registering an assist on the opening goal of the game, but didn't return afterwards.  The Flames did manage a 2-1 overtime win, but we'll await to see what the overall cost is.

Since the Flames don't play again until next week, there likely won't be a big rush to announce any roster call-ups or injury statuses, so we'll have to be patient there.  Troy is in the thick of the money hunt, only 2 points out of 3rd place, down in 6th.

The flu bug also hit the Blackhawks dressing room, as Marko Dano was held out of the lineup, due to the illness.  Dano hasn't been quite as effective to start the season, as some of the projections may have indicated and his time spent in the AHL was definitely an indicator about how he was fitting into the lineup.  He has 1 goal and 1 assist in eight games with the Hawks, but they need budget bodies for their own salary cap issues.

This was an entirely lost skater game for Troy last night, but it's hard to say whether or not Dano would have made a difference in a tight-checking game against the Flames.  The Blackhawks go again tonight in Vancouver and Dano's availability will be determined later on.

Well, that flu bug really made the rounds, as Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera was also hit by it, just before their game against the New Jersey Devils.  Sekera has been decent for the Oilers, since becoming a top free agent signing for them in the off-season, picking up 1 goal and 8 points in 19 games for the club.  Sekera is day-to-day for right now, but the Oilers are also done for the weekend, so they won't need to rush him back into the lineup any time soon.

Sekera has been a bargain 12th round pick for Stacey C. and boy, does he ever need them.  Taken with the 310th pick, the scoring defender currently ranks 255th, moving up a couple rounds in value. Stacey enters Saturday night in 17th place, 28 points out of the money.

In a morning announcement, the Anahem Ducks are not expecting to have defenseman Hampus Lindholm in their lineup tonight, when they face off against the Lightning in Tampa.  Lindholm has reportedly suffered an upper-body injury on their trip through the Florida panhandle, but he is considered day-to-day for right now.

This appears to be a skater game lost for our fearless leader, Dale B., who actually wasn't getting the production out of Lindholm that he would have liked, having only 6 points for his 9th round pick.  He's only a few points out of getting decent value out of the young Swede, but missing a game won't help.

Finally, Arizona number one, Mike Smith, appears to be questionable for tonight's game against the Winnipeg Jets, as he is dealing with a lower-body injury.  It hasn't been made official that he will miss the game, but we're keeping an eye on him for tonight.

This is also a big concern for Dale B., who was getting some good production out of his second goalie taken in the pool.  Smith was his 2nd round pick, who has been a good 2nd rounder, with 19 points.  This does have the makings of a missed start, so his 5-point lead over John S. will be in jeopardy.

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