Morning Player Notes (Nov 7)

It looks like Oliver Bjorkstrand of the Columbus Blue Jackets is continuing to draw the ire of the coaching staff these days, having very limited ice-time on Sunday to being a healthy scratch on Tuesday night against Dallas.  The 23-year old Dane only has 1 goal and 3 points in his first 14 games and despite that lack of performance, the team around him is still continuing to post some positive results, so this could really work against him moving forward.

Not good news for Jeremy, who had big hopes for Bjorkstrand, thinking he could be quite the bargain pick in the 10th round, but that has yet to pan out.  Jeremy's team is off to a slow start this week, posting only 2 points through two nights, dropping from 17th to 21st.

The days on the active roster for Jesse Puljujarvi and the Edmonton Oilers seems like they should be limited, as the top pick for the Oilers in 2016 was back up in the press box after a couple of fruitless games back in the lineup.  The young Finn has now appeared in 10 games for the Oilers this season and only has 1 goal to show for his efforts.  One would have to start to wonder when he'll be sent down to the minors to get some quality ice-time and regain his confidence or possibly see the Oilers try and sell high on him, while he still has some potential value.

Either way, I'm sure Chelsea would appreciate some kind of movement, even if it is a brief stint in the minors to get his scoring touch back.  Her team has been doing okay without him, hanging in there early on this week at 6 points, but still down in 17th after Tuesday night's action.

One of the league's more dependable and durable players had to sit out his first game since 2014, as Eric Staal was befallen by the flu bug and couldn't suit up for the game against the Sharks in San Jose.  The veteran forward has been very good again for the Wild this season, already posting 5 goals and 11 points in 13 games played.  It was only the flu bug that got him, so I wouldn't think he'll be out for very long, expecting him to return, or be very close, for their next game, Thursday night in Los Angeles.

Derek B.'s team is off to a decent start this week, even without Staal last night for Minnesota, posting 8 points and doing well to play catch-up to some teams immediately above him from his spot in 23rd.  If his team can catch a hot streak, it could move up a number of positions without much trouble.

An unfortunate turn of events for Vegas forward Erik Haula, who took a hit from Toronto's Patrick Marleau and fell awkwardly on his own leg, buckling underneath him. The Golden Knights scorer had to be stretchered off the ice and there was no immediate word on his injury, but I don't think anyone is holding their breath, waiting for a miracle. We'll await an official word for the team, but I think it's fair to assume it will be a longer term issue.

Troy is holding onto Haula right now and his team is also holding onto 2nd place in the standings, despite a bit of a slower start from the Golden Knights, Haula included.  The 27-year old has 7 points in 15 games, so far this season, but could be on the shelf for a while now.