Arvidsson missed Wednesday's practice but head coach John Hynes expects him to be available for Thursday's game vs. the Blue Jackets. Arvidsson will look to bounce back after a down 2020 season, where he had just 15 goals and 13 assists (28 points) in 57 games.
Appleton produced high-end numbers at Michigan State and in the AHL but has just 18 points (8G / 10A) in 82 career NHL games. Given the Jets' solid depth on the wing, Appleton will likely be a fourth liner for the duration of 2021, making it unlikely for his numbers to improve.
Dries spent almost all of 2020 in the AHL, scoring 21 goals with 14 assists (35 points) in 50 games with the Colorado Eagles. The 26-year-old did appear in five game with the Avalanche and now has six points (3G / 3A) in 45 career NHL games. With the Avalanche having one of the deepest forward groups in the NHL, Dries is likely destined for the AHL in 2021.
Leonard was a sixth-round pick in 2018 and finished his junior season at UMass-Amherst as a Hobby Baker finalist after tallying a team-high 27 goals and 37 points. In his three-year stint with the MinuteMen, Leonard scored 105 points (56 goals, 49 assists) in 106 career games.
Gibson left Friday's game in the third period with what Ducks GM Bob Murray called a "spasm in his groin." Murray added that Gibson is "not bad" but that he thinks they will "hold him out as backup" on Sunday. With Gibson backing up tonight, it seems possible that he's ready for their back-to-back on Tuesday (vs. OTT) and Wednesday (vs. STL).
Dries leads the Eagles with 21 goals while adding 14 assists (35 points) in 49 AHL games this season. He has six points (3G / 3A) in 43 career NHL games.
Gibson allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Ducks loss to New Jersey on Sunday. Gibson has gone 2-3-1 with a 2.98 GAA and .902 SV% in his last six starts. In his first game against the Blackhawks, Gibson allowed four goals on 33 shots in a 4-2 loss in mid-January.
Gibson allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Ducks win over the Oilers on Tuesday. Gibson has gone 3-3-2 with a 3.08 GAA and .901 SV% in the month of February. Tonight he faces the Penguins for the second time this season, he stopped 26 of 28 shots that he faced in a losing effort in the first meeting.
Gibson allowed six goals on 28 shots in the Ducks loss to the Golden Knights on Sunday. Gibson has lost five of his last six starts (1-3-2) while posting a 3.36 GAA and .893 SV%. The Ducks have struggled mightily in front of him, so it's probably wise to leave him on the bench against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Oilers.
