Heinen failed to record a point in seven games with the Bruins. Heinen played in the top-6 with regularity, but could produce offensively. With David Pastrnak ready to return from suspension, the Bruins will roll with Austin Czarnik instead of Heinen.
Wood, 21, had no points in two games with the Devils to start the season and with Sergey Kalinin returning to the lineup on Saturday, Wood has been sent to Albany. He had 35 points (10G / 25A) in 37 games with Boston College last year and should have no trouble picking up points in the AHL.
Heinen has yet to record a point in four games with the Bruins this season and tonight he will come out of the lineup and Ryan Spooner will be back in.
Nichushkin was unhappy with his playing time in Dallas and the 21-year-old restricted free agent has decided to return to Russia for the 2016-17 season. Nichushkin was the 10th overall pick in 2013 but has yet to develop into the scoring power-forward that he was expected to become. He had just 29 points (9G / 20A) in 79 games last season and 64 points (23G / 41A) across 166 career NHL games.
Monahan, 21, scored 27 goals with 36 assists for a career-high 63 points in 2015-16. The 2013 sixth overall pick has had an outstanding start to his NHL career—his 58 goals over the last two years is good for 16th in the NHL over that span. Monahan is easily a No.2 fantasy centre with No.1 upside.
Gudbranson missed the last three games of the regular season, but will be back in for the start of the playoffs. Gudbranson doesn’t do much in the way of offence, but he is a big, physical defenseman who will play a big part in a playoff series for the Panthers.
Gudbranson will miss his third consecutive game on Saturday, but should be ready for game 1. Gudbranson probably could have played tonight but there is no need to risk him getting hurt for the playoffs.
Gudbranson took a hit to the head last night, so the immediate concern is that he may have suffered a concussion. He missed eight games with a concussion earlier in the season. Alex Petrovic will replace him in the lineup tonight in Montreal.
Gudbranson has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury, but will return tonight vs. the Devils. With Gudbranson back, Alex Petrovic will be a healthy scratch. Gudbranson has two goals and seven assists (nine points) in 61 games this season.
Werenski, 18, was the eighth overall pick in 2015 and will report to Lake Erie (AHL) on a “tryout” while the Blue Jackets work on an entry-level deal for him. Werenski just finished up his second season at the University of Michigan, where he had 36 points (11G / 25A) in 36 games.
Gudbranson has missed the last three games and will miss at least three more with a lower-body injury. With Gudbranson out, Steve Kampfer and Jakub Kindl will continue to man the Panthers’ third pairing.
Monahan missed Tuesday’s practice, but was on the ice for Wednesday’s morning skate and still remains questionable for tonight’s game vs. the Jets. Monitor his status during pre-game warmups at 9:30 p.m. ET. If Monahan can’t play, Freddie Hamilton will make his Flames debut.
There was a hint that the Panthers were going to be down a defenseman when they recalled Dylan Olsen on Tuesday morning. There was no word until warmups that it would be Gudbranson, who is listed as day-to-day.
Gudbranson has missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury, but he will return tonight vs. the Coyotes. Gudbranson has just six points (1G / 5A) in 51 games this season, but is second on the team in hits (127) and fourth in blocked shots (58).
Severson was a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will return tonight vs. the Rangers. Severson has not registered a point in his last four games and comes in with 13 points (1G / 12A) in 54 games this season.
Gudbranson has missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury, but he was a full participant in today’s practice, which is a positive sign that Gudbranson will be back in the lineup for Thursday’s contest.
