Norris missed the majority of the previous two seasons due to ongoing shoulder issues and will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season after undergoing shoulder surgery again. The 24-year-old Norris ends the season with 30 points (16G / 14A) in 50 games.
Meyer played 14 games for the Blue Jackets in the 2022-23 campaign but has exclusively played in the AHL this season. In 55 games with the Cleveland Monsters, the 26-year-old Meyer has 37 points (22G / 15A).
With Johnson being reassigned to the Rochester Americans (AHL), Kyle Clague was recalled by the Sabres. Johnson has spent the majority of his first professional season with the Sabres, tallying seven points (0G / 7A) in 41 games.
Lyon has struggled lately, losing three straight, but will return to the crease for the fifth straight time on Friday night. Lyon has allowed four or more goals in three straight, including allowing five on 40 shots (.875 SV%) in a 7-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. The Red Wings enter action as -139 road favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club that lost 5-2 last night to the Minnesota Wild.
Zucker adds some offensive depth to a Predators club that already added Anthony Beauvillier to their roster via trade on Thursday. The 32-year-old Zucker has 25 points (9G / 16A), 104 shots, and 74 hits in 51 games and will likely be a fixture in the Predators middle-six down the stretch.
Despite starting only two of the last four games, Georgiev will return to the Avalanche crease for the second straight game. On Wednesday, Georgiev was excellent, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a commanding 7-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. The Avalanche enter action as sizeable -224 home favourites on Friday in a divisional matchup against the Minnesota Wild.
Despite starting only two of the last four games, Georgiev will return to the Avalanche crease for the second straight game. On Wednesday, Georgiev was excellent, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a commanding 7-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. The Avalanche enter action as sizeable -224 home favourites on Friday in a divisional matchup against the Minnesota Wild.
Thompson was a late scratch for Thursday's game with the team not announcing his absence until less than an hour before puck drop. The Sabres added that he is day-to-day with the injury. His first chance to return to the lineup will be for Saturday's game against the Oilers.
Johnson will take a seat on Thursday in order to make room for new arrival Bowen Byram. Johnson has no goals and seven assists in 41 games this season.
Byram was acquired from Colorado in a one-for-one deal for Casey Mittlestadt on Wednesday and will make his Sabres' debut on Thursday in Nashville. The 22-year-old offensive defenseman is expected to pair with Rasmus Dahlin out of the gate and will hope to add to his eight goals, 20 points, 40 PIMs and 63 SOG through 40 games played this season.
Zucker and Matthew Dumba will both be held out of the Coyotes' lineup in anticipation of a deal before Friday's trade deadline. Zucker has 24 points (9G / 16A), 104 shots, and 74 hits in 51 games this season.
Georgiev had the night off on Monday and has served as the backup in three of the last six, but will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Georgiev was unsuccessful in his last outing, allowing four goals on 34 shots (.882 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Nashville Predators and has allowed four goals in two of his last three (1-2-0). The Avalanche were defeated 2-1 in overtime by the Red Wings two weeks ago but enter action as -193 home favourites on Wednesday night.
The Sabres blueline will be a treat for years to come after acquiring Byram on Wednesday, adding to an already talented core of Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Byram was having a down year offensively with the Avalanche, with 20 points (8G / 12A) in 55 games this season.
