Markstrom, 24, was acquired in the trade that sent Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers last March. He was 2-8-3 with a 3.39 GAA and .873 SV% between the Panthers and Canucks last season. Markstrom was once considered the NHL's top goaltending prospect and will likely be claimed by another team. He has just one year with a $1.2 million cap-hit left on his contract, making him a relatively low-risk add.
Ekblad was named the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) most outstanding defenseman during the 2013-2014 season, ranking first among the league’s blueliners with 23 goals and tied for fifth with 53 points (23-30-53). The 6-foot-3, 213-pound defenseman became just the third player in his 18-year-old birth year to earn the OHL’s most outstanding defenseman honor in the past 20 years. The Belle River, Ontario, native is expected to crack the Panthers opening day roster and should be an immediate fantasy contributor.
Eller, 25, scored 12 goals and added 14 assists (26 points) with a minus-15 rating in 77 games with the Habs last season. It was a less than stellar season when you consider the fact he put up four more points in the shortened season. At $3.5 million per season, the Canadiens will be expecting better production out of the Denmark native over the next four seasons.
Kulikov, 23, had a career-high eight goals (19 points) but a career-worst minus-26 rating in 81 games with the Panthers in 2013-14. Kulikov did have solid possession numbers (51.2 CF%) for the second straight year and he'll be just 24-years-old in October so he should continue to improve his NHL game this season.
Marchand did not record any points with a minus-1 rating in five games in round one against the Red Wings.
This is the second day in a row that Marchand has not skated. Daniel Paille is skating in his place, but there is no word if Marchand will miss tonight's game. Expect head coach Claude Julien to let us know following the skate.
Markstrom allowed five goals on 22 shots in a loss to the Oilers last night. His first two starts with the Canucks have not gone very well as he has allowed eight goals on 49 shots (.837 SV%), both resulting in losses. He will start the last game of the season vs. the Flames.
Markstrom allowed three goals on 27 shots in a loss to the Avalanche in his first start with the Cancuks. He will get a second chance tonight and draws a much easier matchup in Edmonton. However, it is Ryan Smyth's last NHL game so the Oilers could come out flying for their veteran.
Markstrom has not started an NHL game since December 20th. He played 19:48 wit the Canucks in early March after replacing Eddie Lack--he stopped four of five shots. He will likely start the remaining three games in a lost season for the Canucks. This will give Vancouver a good idea of what their goalie situation will be like heading into 2014-15.
Ellier is a late scratch for Wednesday's game, he will be replaced by Dale Weise in the Habs lineup.
Jones had missed the previous five games with a concussion he suffered on March 23rd in Chicago. The Predators season is coming to a close, which means the end of Jones' rookie season. As of now, he has six goals and 18 asssits in 73 games. His 24 points has him tied for 21st amongst rookies in scoring.
Jones was cleared to return to game action on Tuesday, but he is not taking part in line rushes this morning. Usually if a player is returning he will skate along side his D partner in practice--Jones is not which suggests he will miss his fifth consecutive game.
The Panthers season is all but over so there is no reason to get Barkov back in the lineup. They are expected to rest him for the remainder of the year and get him going for 2014-15 after great rookie campaign.
Jones missed the last four games after being rocked by Andrew Shaw on March 23 in Chicago. Jones has scored six goals with 18 assists (24 points) and a minus-23 rating in 72 games in his rookie season. Expect him to be back in the lineup on Friday.
Eller missed just one game with a lower-body injury. Eller will replace Dale Weise (wrist) in the Habs lineup.
After being injured on Sunday, Jones will not play on Monday and is doubtful for the back-to-back on Thursday and Friday. Michael Del Zotto will slot back into the lineup with Jones out.
Jones left Sunday's game after being crunched by Andrew Shaw. His absence this morning suggests that he will not be in the lineup tonight vs. Colorado. That would mean Michael Del-Zotto will be back in the lineup tonight.
Eller left Saturday's win over the Maple Leafs after suffering a lower-body injury in the third period. There likely won't be too many people waiting on his game-time decision seeing as he has just one goal and two assists in his last 29 games.
Petrovic who was just recalled lands on IR for the second time this season. He has been recalled on multiple occasions, but injuries have limited him to just seven games with the Panthers. Colby Robak was recalled on Saturday and will replace Petrovic.
Gudas has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury. He was reportedly close to playing on Monday but was held out. He told reporters today that he is good to go, so it sounds like he will be back in the lineup vs. the Panthers.
