Morning Player Notes in the Draft (jan 2)

The Edmonton Oilers have made mention this week that they don't expect to have defenseman Oscar Klefbom back any time soon.  The broken hand that he suffered has been complimented (in a poor way) by another injury, this time to his lower-body and the time away is still at an indefinite stage for timetable reasons.  Klefbom has been identified as a long-term player for the team going forward and his development at the pro level will be stifled by this injury.

Eric has been without the defender since the middle of December and it sounds like he will be without him for a little while longer.  Eric has had a good week in Week Thirteen and he could finish the week in the top 10, if everything goes his way this weekend.

Will it be Andrei Vasilevskiy's turn in net here right away?  Vasilevskiy was recalled on Friday afternoon by the Lightning, this on the heels of Ben Bishop not finishing Friday's practice.  The coaching staff indicated that the injury isn't serious and going the other way was Kristers Gudlevskis, heading back to the AHL.  I would imagine that a start is on the way for the real number two goalie for the Bolts.

Just the return to the big club will put some projected games back in Mike's column, which is a small plus at the very least.  Mike is trying to stay out of the basement this week and if he can manage a start here this weekend, that would go a long way into making that happen.

More good news for the Lightning, as they should get Ondrej Palat back this weekend, as soon as tonight's game, home to the Minnesota Wild.  Palat was injured on December 13th and has been on the IR since the 20th, when he was eligible to come back on.  His lower-body injury has been recurring this year, so it was a good thing that the Lightning have been patient with him this time around.

Tony's team isn't really in danger of being in the basement this week, but it still hasn't been a great week for his side.  This return, if it happens tonight, will at least get him some chances to get back to a reasonable standings spot.

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