Thursday, December 29, 2016

Afternoon Player Notes in the Draft (Dec 29)

The Edmonton Oilers are expecting to be without defenseman Andrej Sekera tonight, as he is feeling under the weather. He's currently day-to-day and rookie Matthew Benning will draw in for him tonight, when they take on the Los Angeles Kings in the late game.  It would seem fair to think that the Slovak defender should be healthy enough for the New Year's Eve game, at home to the Canucks.

Looks like a missed skater game for Dale C., who hasn't been able to catch a break this season, down in 21st.  Unfortunately, his team is a Lady Byng contender, there's no survival here and the outdoor games appear to be his only shot at money and he'll get a better idea of that this weekend.

On Wednesday, the Ottawa Senators place forward Zack Smith on the Injured Reserve after he was hurt on Tuesday night against the Rangers.  Smith is believed to have suffered an abdominal strain and with the placement on the IR and the Senators having a big break in their schedule, Smith won't play another game until January 7th, at home to Washington.

Smith was a double-threat for Grant in the Waiver Draft, one of the better scorers and a guy who could generate penalty minutes as well.  The points have helped, as he has moved up to 19th from 20th since the Waiver Draft, but he has only had one good week in the PIM pool and he still sits 72 minutes back of the lead.

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