Maatta missed the last two games with an illness, but is set to return to the lineup tomorrow vs. the Canadiens. Once heralded as one of the next great young defenseman, Maatta has struggled to produce offensively, picking up just two assists in 35 games this season.
Maatta did not travel to New Jersey for Tuesday's game and will also miss tonight's game at home vs. the Hurricanes. The Penguins will get Trevor Daley back to replace Brian Dumoulin, who broke his jaw last night. Maatta is considered day-to-day.
Tanev, 24, has two goals and two assists (four points) in 35 games with the Jets this season. With the Jets getting healthier, Tanev has been a healthy scratch of the last two games and will head down to Manitoba.
The Penguins have a quick one-game trip to New Jersey tonight and left Olli Maatta back in Pittsburgh because he is dealing with an illness. With Maatta out, Chad Ruhwedel will draw into the Penguins lineup vs. the Devils.
Schmaltz has four points (1G / 3A) in 26 games with the Blackhawks this season and has not made the offensive impact the Blackhawks were expecting when he made the opening night roster. His return to the AHL suggests that Jonathan Toews could be ready to play, but that seems unlikely. It’s more likely that Jordin Tootoo will simply re-enter the lineup after sitting as a healthy scratch.
Crouse took part in the Coyotes’ morning skate but remains a game-time decision for tonight’s game vs. the Sharks. Crouse has just one goal in 13 games this season.
Sergachev was the ninth overall pick this past summer and he made the team out of training camp. He was a healthy scratch most of the time and failed to record a point in the three games he did play in. Sergachev returns to Windsor, who will host this year’s Memorial Cup—he had 57 points (17G / 40A) in 67 games with the Spitfires last year.
Connauton missed the Coyotes’ season opener with a lower-body injury, but will replace rookie Jakob Chychrun in the lineup on Tuesday. Connauton had 17 points (5G / 12A) in 65 games a season ago.
Sergachev made his NHL debut on Thursday, blocking two shots in 11:48 of ice time. With Jeff Petry (knee) expected to return to the lineup on Saturday, it looks like it will be the rookie Sergachev who will sit. If he can’t work his way back into the lineup, look for the Canadiens to send him back to the Windsor Spitfires (OHL).
Connauton is dealing with what is believed to be a knee injury. He returned to practice recently, but no decision has been made on his availability for the season opener. Connauton is expected to play on the left side of the Coyotes’ third pairing.
Schmidt suffered a lower-body injury on Sunday and was held out of a scrimmage on Monday. Schmidt is day-to-day, but doesn’t appear to be in any danger of missing any regular season time.
Crouse, 19, was drafted 11th overall in 2015 and is coming off of a season where he had 62 points (23G / 39A) in 49 games with the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL). Crouse is a big-boy (6’4” / 212 lbs.) who adds even more offensive upside to a youthful Coyotes organization. He will fight for a roster spot in training camp, but could start the year in the AHL.
