Noon Player Notes (Jan 28)

Taylor Hall still hasn't been practicing with the New Jersey Devils, unable to go for the team's first skate after the break on Sunday and he's not going to be in the lineup on Monday night against the Penguins either.  His lower-body injury has been lingering and it doesn't sound like it's getting any better any quicker.  He's already been out for a month and there is no timetable for a return as of yet.

I don't think you can see Mike dropping Hall for anyone this week, he's just too big of a fish not to wait for.  Mike's team sits 11th, 3 points out of the top 10 and could desperately use Hall back to make one last big push.

The Jets are out on the road, starting tonight in Philadelphia, but they are doing so without defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, who remains out with his lower-body injury. At the end of December, he was listed as week-to-week and things haven't really progressed for him and he isn't on this trip and it sounds doubtful that he'll play this week.

It's hard to believe that Dale C. would shed Byfuglien, there's probably no one out there that would score like him, even if he was to return in a few weeks.  It's just a handcuffing situation, more than anything.

It sounds like the New York Rangers will have Kevin Hayes back in their lineup tomorrow night, when they host the Flyers. Hayes has been out for the last month with an upper-body injury. Hayes is a top target for the trade deadline this year, given the Rangers lacklustre season, so it's good news for Wilton's team, who gets a boost of a body back here soon and possibly a trade to a more potent offense too.  Miles Wood could be returning from injury for the Devils tonight against the Penguins, he's been out for the last couple of weeks with a lower-body injury, but was seen on the ice for the morning skate today, which is a good indicator that he's close.  Good news for Ryan's team, as he wouldn't have to waste a drop and a pick on him.