Vejmelka will get his second start of the 2022-23 season after struggling in the Coyote's opener allowing six goals on 53 shots. He will hope the team in front of him is a bit more defensively sound as 53 Shots is the most against for any game this season.
Vejmelka draws a tough opening night matchup as the Coyotes head to Pittsburgh to take on Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. The 26-year-old Czech netminder struggled mightily in his rookie season in 2021-22 posting a .898 SV% alongside finishing third last among starters with a 3.68 GAA. Vejmelka will hope 2022-23 brings his win rate up after securing victory in only 25% of the games he played.
Yamamoto skated once again this morning but did not take part in line rushes, and it appears as if he'll be scratched for the Oilers' season opener. Jesse Puljujarvi will skate on the top line, and Devin Shore was recalled from the AHL to take his place in the lineup.
Yamamoto was on the ice for Monday's practice and head coach Jay Woodcroft called it a "positive sign" but still listed him as questionable for Wednesday. Jesse Puljujarvi skated on the Oilers top line in practice, with Yamamoto skating as an extra.
Sergachev was banged up in Thursday's preseason game and has yet to practice since, but head coach Jon Cooper expects him to play good-to-go on Tuesday. Sergachev had seven goals and 31 assists (38 points) in 78 games a season ago.
Weegar signs an 8 X $6.25 million contract with the Flames after being acquired in the offseason as part of the Jonathan Huberdeau and Matthew Tkachuk mega deal. The 28-year-old comes off an 8-goal, 44-point breakout season in 2021-22 fueled by a career-high 23:22 average time-on-ice. He was one of 13 defensemen last season to pass 200 shots (203) finishing ninth in plus/minus (+40) across the entire NHL.
Hayton was the No.5 overall pick in 2018 and has 31 points (13G / 18A) in 94 career NHL games, including 24 points (10G / 14A) in 60 games a season ago. With limited competition for minutes down the middle in Arizona, Hayton could be their No.1 option between Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz in 2022-23.
Marino is a solid two-way, puck-moving defenseman that is an upgrade defensively from Smith. Marino should fill a top-4 role in New Jersey and will chip in a little offence, averaging 27 points (4G / 23A) per 82 games throughout his career.
Stenlund appeared in 32 games with the Blue Jackets in 2021 but only played three in 2022. He spent most of the season with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL), where he had eight goals and 17 assists (25 points) in 42 games. The two-way contract suggests he'll start 2022-23 with Manitoba (AHL).
Desimone has been in the AHL since 2017 and has never sniffed the NHL. The 27-year-old had 25 points (4G / 21A) in 68 games with Stockton (AHL) a season ago.
Yamamoto will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury. Brad Malone replaced him in Game 3 and could remain in the lineup for Game 4.
Schmidt missed Sunday's game vs. the Avalanche but is expected to play Wednesday vs. the Flyers. Schmidt has tallied 32 points (4G / 28A) across 74 games this season but has just one assist in his last 12 games.
