Noon Player Notes (Dec 14)

The Calgary Flames have recalled goaltender Jon Gillies on Friday, signalling that Mike Smith's sudden departure from Wednesday night's comeback win was indeed an injury, of the undisclosed variety, and it sounds like he will not dress for Saturday afternoon's contest in Minnesota.  He's considered day-to-day and we can now expect David Rittich to get the start in that one.

It's hard to say whether or not this would be considered a missed start for Brian's pool team, since Smith wasn't all that sharp on Wednesday night against the Flyers, but not dressing does confirm that he won't be playing, even in relief.  Brian's team continues to tumble a bit, dropping down to 12th this week and could use some help from the rest of his healthy bodies.

Another lower-body injury concern, this time in New Jersey, as Taylor Hall has been experiencing some soreness down there and hasn't been able to practice fully in the last couple of days.  The coaching staff are calling him a game-time decision tonight, when they take on the Golden Knights and if he can't go, we will have him on the list as out day-to-day for right now.

This could be somewhat alarming for Mike's team, as this is his best forward possibly taking some time off due to injury, as 31 points in 29 games is a tough hole in the lineup, if he's missing.  Mike's team sits in 7th, 18 points out of 3rd place and could ill-afford to have Hall out for too long.

From the Washington Capitals skate this morning, all indications are pointing to a return for forward Tom Wilson, as he's coming back from an upper-body injury, which he suffered about 10 days ago against the Golden Knights.  This would be a big boost to Scott's team, which is only 2 points clear of the Basement Dweller nod for this week.