DeMelo, 21, was a sixth-round pick (179th overall) of the Sharks in 2011. He has three goals and 10 assists (13 points) in 38 games with Worcester this season. He has been recalled because Justin Braun is out and Mirco Mueller has been sent down on a conditioning stint.
Namestnikov had one shot on goal in two games during his recall. With Tyler Johnson back from injury, he has been squeezed back to the minors.
The Lightning lost their leading scorer Tyler Johnson to a lower-body injury last night, so Namestnikov is being recalled to play for Johnson if he is unable to go. The 22-year-old forward had seven points (3G / 4A) in 24 games with the Lightning before being sent down. Since being sent down he has registered 17 points (7G / 10A) in 16 games with Syracuse.
Bjugstad has 21 points (13G / 8A) in 34 games this season. His 13 goals leads the Panthers and puts him on pace for 31 this season. He is miles ahead of his strong rookie campaign and should continue to get better. His six-year extension will see him in Florida through the 2020-21 season.
Toews left Thursday’s game after being hit from behind by Dennis Seidenberg. Toews said he was fine after the hit and passed all concussion protocol that night, but was held out as a precaution. He will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Isles. Toews has 23 points (11G / 12A) in 29 games.
The Blackhawks return to action on Saturday vs. the Islanders. Toews is expected to be OK after a scary hit on Thursday night. Monitor his status during Saturday’s morning skate.
Toews was hit head-first into the end-board by Bruins' blueliner Dennis Seidenberg. Toews was shaken up and left the game late in the second period. Seidenberg was assessed a two-minute minor on the play, but is expected to avoid suspension. “We’ll see how he is tomorrow,” Coach Joel Quenneville told reporters. “Looks like he’s going to be all right.”
Namestnikov, 22, has skated in 23 games with the Lightning this season, posting three goals and seven points to go along with four penalty minutes. He recorded his first career NHL goal and assist on October 13 against the Montreal Canadiens. Namestnikov has played in 27 career NHL games, all with the Lightning over the past two seasons.
Lowry was suspended for an ugly hit from behind on Sabres’ forward Patrick Kaleta. Lowry will miss tonight’s game vs. the Bruins and is eligible to return on Wednesday vs. Edmonton. Expect TJ Galiardi to dress tonight.
Scheifele took part in the Jets’ morning skate after being injured in Sunday’s game vs. the Devils. He will skate with Adam Lowry and Michael Frolik if he is able to go tonight. It has been a slow start for Scheifele, who has seven points (2G / 5A) in 18 games.
Bjugstad now has 7 points in 15 games this season.
He now has 10 points in 17 games this season.
Nyquist finished Saturday's game on the top-line and it looks like he will start Wednesday's game with Hank and 'The Mule'. Nyquist has picked up right where he left off last season, scoring a goal in each of his first two games.
The Red Wings got good news on Monday when they got good reports on Nyquist's knee injury. He will not play tonight vs. the Maple Leafs, but should be ready to go for the start of the regular season.
The Blackhawks signed Patrick Kane to the exact same contract. The ,deal does not kick in until the 2015-16 season, but the annual cap-hit will make them the highest paid players in the NHL. When Toews and Kane joined the Blackhawks they had not reached the Finals since 1992, but since drafting Toews (third overall) in 2006 they have won two Stanley Cups and reached the Western Conference Final on two other occasions. Toews had 28 goals and 40 assists (68 points) with a plus-26 rating in 76 games last season. Toews has scored on a 74.5 point per 82 game pace in the first seven years of his career. He is one of the most reliable centres in the league and should be a top-15 pick in fantasy drafts next season.
Niederreiter has had himself a strong postseason, and he will be rewarded tonight as he swaps places with Matt Moulson. Nino has two goals and two assists while averaging just 13:16 in the first nine games of the playoffs.
The Blackhawks decided to sit Toews the rest of the regular season and make sure he was fit for the playoffs. ‘’I don’t feel like I lost anything,’’ Toews said. Toews generally is one of the last players to worry about making that adjustment. In 2012 he missed the final 22 games of the regular season with a concussion, then scored a goal 4:04 into the Hawks’ playoff opener against the Phoenix Coyotes. Toews was a plus-4 in the first two games of that series. If anything, it’ll be up to Toews’ teammates to follow his lead.
Toews skated in Chicago yesterday and coach Joel Quenneville said that everything went well. The Hawks are still hoping to have Toews back in the lineup for game 1 of the playoffs.
Niederreiter missed Thursday's game but will be back tonight vs. the Penguins. He has just on goal and one assist in his last 10 games.
Niederreiter left Sunday's game in the first period and did not return. He was able to practice, but the Wild will play it safe with him and rest him tonight with veteran Dany Heatley sitting in the press box the last few games. Niederreiter is day-to-day.