Noon Player Notes (Dec 18)

The Chicago Blackhawks announced a couple of hockey pool related moves on Tuesday morning, activating defenseman Gustav Forsling from the Injured Reserve after missing the last two weeks with a shoulder injury.  In corresponding news, the Blackhawks have opted to send rookie defenseman Henri Jokiharju to the World Junior tournament, loaning him to the Finland side for the next few weeks, to which he'll be able to return once the tournament concludes.  It's one of those rare situations where a team has loaned out a player to the tournament, but with how poorly the season is going for the Blackhawks, heading off to play big minutes in a big tourney could do a lot of good for his development.

The return is good news for Neil's team, who has not seen much from his Waiver Draft pickup just as of yet, hurt in his first game under the team's umbrella.  His team can use a little bit more help, having dropped down from their good start this season, down to 19th place.  Brian, on the other hand, will be without his only involvement in the rookie pool for the next three weeks or so, as the Finn has 11 points on record so far, which ranks Brian in 11th in the mini-game.

A lineup note for the Dallas Stars today, as they faceoff against the Calgary Flames at home... they'll be without forward Jason Spezza, as he's fallen under the weather and is day-to-day.  Doesn't sound like anything too serious and I think we could expect him back for Thursday's contest, home to the Blackhawks.

This will be a skater game lost for Dale C., who picked up Spezza in the Waiver Draft and has seen some reasonable production, since his activation.  3 assists in six games isn't too bad for a late season add, but that half a point-per-game scoring rate will take a quick break this week.