Buffalo Sabres center Ryan O'Reilly will be out indefinitely after undergoing an appendectomy over the holiday break, the team announced.

The procedure reportedly took place on Dec. 25, according to Mike Harring

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Dan Carcillo is weighing in on a conversation started by Steve Downie.

The latter recently took to Twitter to rip the Arizona Coyotes and Dave Tippett, and later Don Cherry, with a view to exposing how players of his stature are perceived and treated within hockey culture.

Carcillo, a former NHL forward and tough guy in his own right, offered a thoughtful response, urging former players to seek workers compensation in the absence of meaningful support from the NHL and even the Players' Association.

Carcillo, whose career was cut short due to concussions, has since started Chapter 5, a non-profit organization aimed at helping NHL players after their playing days are over.

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Every Tuesday, theScore's editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."

Calgary Flames

Plus: A 7-3-0 record leading up to the holiday break helped the Calgary Flames slide into a Western Conference wild-card spot, and well within striking distance of the three teams ahead of them in the Pacific Division.

Minus: Calgary's minus-nine goal differential is the worst among all teams currently sitting in playoff position.

Take: The Flames' last two wins came with Brian Elliott in net. He'll need to reclaim the starting job from Chad Johnson and play at a high level in order for Calgary to remain in postseason contention.

Edmonton Oilers

Plus: Leon Draisaitl leads the the Edmonton Oilers in December scoring with seven goals and seven assists over 12 games. Both Connor McDavid and Mark Letestu rank second with 11 points.

Minus: Winger Tyler Pitlick will miss the remainder of the regular season with a torn ACL. He'd recorded two goals and two assists in five games prior to the injury.

Take: It's not yet a perfectly constructed roster, but anything less than a 2017 playoff spot would be a massive disappointment after a strong start to the season.

Montreal Canadiens

Plus: Captain Max Pacioretty has stepped up, scoring nine goals over his past 11 contests, and tying Jeff Carter for the league lead so far this month.

Minus: Shea Weber's offensive contributions have dried up. The defenseman has posted just a single assist across 11 December games.

Take: As long as Carey Price is in net, the Montreal Canadiens are the class of the Atlantic Division, and it's not really all that close at the moment.

Ottawa Senators

Plus: Bobby Ryan appears to have found his scoring touch after posting four goals in five games heading into the break.

Minus: Twenty-one-year-old Curtis Lazar has been held without a point in 14 appearances this season, and the Ottawa Senators will need something from their 2013 first-round pick to maintain their surprising success.

Take: General manager Pierre Dorion looks like a genius for grabbing Mike Condon from Pittsburgh. Condon's been used heavily in relief of Craig Anderson (personal reasons) and Andrew Hammond (ankle), while posting a save percentage of .922 across 14 appearances.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Plus: After a rough first month with his new club, Frederik Andersen has been lights out for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Minus: While Auston Matthews' goal scoring has picked up, Mitch Marner and William Nylander have been good for only one apiece through 10 December games.

Take: The Maple Leafs sit five points back of an Atlantic Division playoff spot, but also only three points up on last-place Buffalo. Things could go either way, but count on Toronto remaining a bubble team instead of seeing it burst.

Vancouver Canucks

Plus: N/A

Minus: Yes, things are that bad for the Vancouver Canucks.

With a record of 14-18-3, the Canucks sit 28th in the NHL, and, to make matters worse, they seem to believe things should be better than they are.

A full rebuild is in order, and should have already been initiated.

Take: This isn't how the Sedins should be winding down their legendary careers.

Winnipeg Jets

Plus: Patrik Laine's game seems be be rounding out. The rookie sniper has recorded five assists in his past 11 contests - one fewer than he posted across his first 25 appearances.

Minus: Another split with Alexander Burmistrov could be in the cards after the center recently voiced displeasure over his lack of playing time.

Take: The Winnipeg Jets have some talented, young players on the roster, but general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff still has work to do in terms of building a consistent playoff team. At this point, one can't help but wonder if he's really the man for the job.

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theScore will be giving out fantasy report cards discussing the fantasy value of key players on each of the 30 teams. This edition focuses on the Edmonton Oilers.

ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI | COL | CLB | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA | LA | MIN | MTL | NAS | NJ | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL | TB | TOR | VAN | WAS | WPG

G Cam Talbot

Talbot leads all goaltenders in minutes played, shots faced, saves and goals allowed. While the Oilers' still-porous defense makes life difficult for him, his assured workload increases his fantasy value. He has a .917 save percentage for the second year in a row, and he's just four wins behind last year's total. The improved team has increased his own value. Grade: B

C Connor McDavid

The league leader in points and assists, McDavid has managed to stay ahead in the league's scoring race. Not much more needs to be said. He'll be either the first- or second-overall pick in next year's drafts. Grade: A+

C/RW Leon Draisaitl

While McDavid's production was expected by most, Draisaitl has stepped up as the team's next-best option. He's just five goals behind last year's total, though he has benefited from a shooting percentage over 17 percent. Keeper league owners should be making every effort to retain his services for the years to come. Grade: A

LW Milan Lucic

Lucic has enjoyed success while on the left side of McDavid, as he's on pace for all the numbers owners have come to expect. The biggest difference, as expected with the move from the Los Angeles Kings to Edmonton, is a minus rating for the first time since 2009-10, while with the Boston Bruins. It's a minor setback to an otherwise well-rounded fantasy campaign. Grade: B+

RW Jordan Eberle

Never an elite scorer, Eberle is a solid depth piece with adequate scoring ability. A third of his points have come on the power play. He's far from an elite fantasy option and at 26 years of age, he has fully established himself. This will need to be taken into consideration for future drafts. Grade: B-

C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Nugent-Hopkins has played in every game so far, something which needs to be considered a victory on its own. Alas, he hasn't proven to be much of a fantasy asset, and he's on pace for around 40 points. He's averaging his lowest ice time since his rookie season. Grade: C

C Mark Letestu

At the age of 31, Letestu is having a career year on the offensive end, largely due to exposure on the top power-play unit. Five of his points have come with the man advantage, while he has also scored two power-play goals. He doesn't contribute enough hits or blocked shots to be an option in either season-long format, but he does have daily fantasy appeal. Grade: B

D Oscar Klefbom

A late-November offensive surge brought Klefbom onto the fantasy radar, but his season-long point total has been fairly lackluster. He is on pace for a career high in points, but he isn't worthy of a permanent roster spot. He should only be streamed during four-game weeks for the Oilers. Grade: B-

D Andrej Sekera

At age 30, Sekera is averaging a career high in ice time. He's on pace for a career high in points, while also operating on the team's top power-play unit. His usage will keep him relevant in all fantasy formats. Grade: B-

Player to watch: RW Jesse Puljujarvi

The fourth-overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Puljujarvi is producing at a level far beneath his peers. Still, he's averaging a point every three games. Keep a close eye on the Oilers' lines, as he's worth consideration whenever given exposure beside McDavid.

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Tuesday, Dec. 27 (all advanced stats are at 5-on-5 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):

Triple Threat

• C Tyler Seguin (77K), LW Jamie Benn (69K) and D John Klingberg (37K), Stars (at Coyotes): While Seguin and Benn are each close to point-per-game paces, this Dallas trio hasn't been as potent as it was last season. A trip to Arizona could turn back the clock, as the Coyotes allow the most shots (34.9) and the second-most goals (3.15) per game, and are also tops in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA60).

• C Jack Eichel (45K), RW Kyle Okposo (53K) and D Rasmus Ristolainen (47K), Sabres (at Red Wings): Detroit G Petr Mrazek has been shaky, managing a .899 save percentage and a 3.06 GAA for the season, but the starting role is his with Jimmy Howard injured. Eichel is without a point in his last five games despite 23 shots on goal; if he breaks out, linemate Okposo and Ristolainen, who has 12 points in 11 December games, will surely benefit.

• LW Johnny Gaudreau (60K), RW Kris Versteeg (32K) and D T.J. Brodie (25K), Flames (at Avalanche): This trio plays together on Calgary's first-unit power play; five of Versteeg's seven December points have come on the man advantage, and Brodie has four points over his last five games. Both complement the explosive Gaudreau, while leaving plenty of salary available for a center. See the section below on Chad Johnson for an overview of Colorado's general futility this season.

Goalie Breakdown

• TARGET: Braden Holtby (75K), Capitals (at Islanders): Holtby has beaten the Islanders on two of three occasions this season, allowing a total of six goals. He never had to make more than 26 stops in any one game, so while he likely won't rack up the save points, he looks a solid bet for another victory as he faces the bottom feeders of the Metropolitan Division standings.

• BARGAIN: Chad Johnson (75K), Flames (at Avalanche): Colorado allows the most goals in the league and scores the fewest, providing a matchup very conducive to a Flames victory. The Avalanche produce just 5.45 scoring chances for per 60 minutes and are last in expected goals for per 60 minutes, so both the underlying and traditional statistics are in agreement. On the road, Johnson has a 1.90 GAA and a 7-3-1 record.

• FADE: Cory Schneider (115K), Devils (vs. Penguins): The priciest goaltender on the slate, Schneider may be capable of stealing a game, but he allowed four goals in a loss to the Penguins on Dec. 23. He's won just two of his last 11 starts for the low-scoring Devils, and with Pittsburgh boasting the highest expected goals for per 60 minutes mark of any team, he's likely to come up short again.

• CONTRARIAN: Sergei Bobrovsky (107K), Blue Jackets (vs. Bruins): Bobrovsky has won 10 straight straight starts in the midst of Columbus' 12-game win streak, but his price may nevertheless make many inclined to seek cheaper options. For what it's worth, he allowed nine goals over two early-season starts against the Bruins, but Boston is only middle-of-the-pack in terms of expected goals for per 60 minutes.

Bargain Plays

• RW Ryan Hartman (26K), Blackhawks (vs. Jets): Injuries to Artem Anisimov and Marian Hossa have thinned out Chicago's top-six forward group; the 22-year-old Hartman is featuring on the second line. He's managed four points and seven shots in his last five games, and offers a budget-friendly alternative to prohibitively-expensive teammate Patrick Kane (90K).

• D Justin Schultz (30K), Penguins (at Devils): Schultz has been doing his best impression of the injured Kris Letang, monopolizing first-unit power play time and piling up five goals and 10 assists in 12 December games, going without a point on just three occasions in that stretch. He offers some very low-cost exposure to the high-scoring Penguins.

• C Sam Gagner (25K), Blue Jackets (vs. Bruins): Columbus is unlikely to pump too many goals past Boston's Tuukka Rask, but Gagner has been too productive to ignore, especially at Squad Up's minimum price. A power-play specialist, seven of Gagner's 13 points in December have come via the man advantage. Despite a bottom-six role at even strength, he provides a solid floor by averaging 2.58 shots per game.

Top Fades

• D Roman Josi (53K), Predators (vs. Wild): On top of G Devan Dubnyk's stellar campaign, Minnesota allows a league-low 5.89 scoring chances against per 60 minutes. Josi shoots an average of three times per contest and has a respectable five points in 11 December games, but he and his teammates look hard-pressed to have a productive offensive night against the stingy Wild.

• C Patrice Bergeron (56K), Bruins (at Blue Jackets): While he's no longer among the absolute priciest centers, given Bergeron's lowly output of 10 points in 33 games, he's still being valued based on name recognition and his top-line role. Against an in-form Bobrovsky, Bergeron's breakout performance seems unlikely to happen on Tuesday.

• RW P.A. Parenteau (48K), Devils (vs. Penguins): The well-traveled Parenteau in a solid run of form, recording three goals and three assists over his last eight games, but his price is mystifyingly high. The likes of Phil Kessel (49K), Mark Stone (48K) and Patrik Laine (42K), to name a few, have all been far more productive in terms of fantasy points per game. Parenteau could well produce again, but is far from a safe option.

Contrarian Options

• LW Mike Hoffman (45K), Senators (at Rangers): A road matchup against G Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers isn't as daunting as it seems - New York is among the weakest possession teams in the league and has the sixth-worst mark in terms of xGF60. Hoffman maintains a first-unit power play role and fires three shots on goal per game.

• C Jonathan Toews (58K), Blackhawks (vs. Jets): Injuries throughout the lineup have forced Toews to center the first line of Kane and LW Artemi Panarin - a prime spot for Toews to rekindle some offensive form. He broke out of a 13-game goal-scoring slump on Friday, and will feature alongside both players on the top power play unit as well.

• D Oliver Ekman-Larsson (51K): It's been a down season for Ekman-Larsson, and while his team will likely concede multiple goals to the Stars, there's no reason he can't help Arizona get a few back, particularly with the man advantage, where Dallas ranks 27th in penalty-kill percentage. 10 of his 17 points have come on the power play, and he's assured of his role as the first-unit's quarterback.

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Dylan Strome scored twice and Mathew Barzal led the way with three points as host Canada upended archrival Russia 5-3 in the headliner on opening night at the 2017 World Junior Championship.

Here's what you need to know:

• Canada opened the scoring a few shifts in when Philippe Myers, the towering undrafted defender-turned-elite prospect, wandered into the offensive zone and bought enough time to pick out Tyson Jost. He put a filthy backhand move on Ilya Samsonov, and shoveled it under the bar.
• Mikhail Sergachev tied it moments later. He stepped in off the point, and with a hesitation curl, opened up a shooting lane to beat Hart from the high slot.
• Russia had done tremendous work early closing gaps and taking shooting lanes away from Canadian captain Dylan Strome. But with the system beginning to break down on a Canadian power-play late in the second, Mathew Barzal created an avenue for Strome with a beautiful cross-ice feed to whack into an exposed net.
• Nicolas Roy made it a two-goal advantage before the break. He won a hard-fought battle for a loose puck in the slot while surrounded by defenders, and turned and fired a shot inside the far post when he gained control.
• Canada and Russia traded power-play goals early in the third. After setting up Strome, Barzal was able to stab an inaccurate centering feed over Samsonov. Kirill Kaprizov then answered, as Hart was beaten for a second time with a hard shot from high in the slot.
• Barzal created a second power-play goal for Strome midway through the period. He fired a puck off the shoulder of Samsonsov with a drive from the half boards and the rebound landed on the stick of the captain stationed on the opposite side. This was swiftly answered with a Russian goal for the second time in the period - but that's as close as Russia would come.
• Hart made 14 saves on 17 shots to collect the win, while Samsonov was saddled with the loss after making 32 stops on 37 shots.
• Barzal was named Canada's player of the game; Yego Rykov for Russia.
• Denis Guryanov slammed a turning Noah Juulsen into the boards late in the second with a heavy hit from behind. Juulsen was able to return.
• Canada meets Slovakia on Tuesday, while Russia has a short turnaround versus Latvia.

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The NHL's No. 1 star of the week is exactly who you thought it would be.

Florida Panthers forward and all-time NHL legend Jaromir Jagr took home this week's honors, after recording five assists in three games, propelling him past Mark Messier and into second place on the league's all-time scoring list with 1,889 points. The 44-year-old is second on the Panthers with 21 points in 31 games.

Jeff Carter's scoring tear earned him the second star, as the Los Angeles Kings center scored five goals in three games, resulting in two wins. Carter leads the Kings in points (29) and is tied for second in the NHL with 19 goals this season. His prominence in Los Angeles' attack is a major reason they're holding on to a wild-card position in the west.

Lastly, Edmonton Oilers netminder Cam Talbot is the third star this week after achieving a 2-0-1 record with a 2.26 goals against average and .926 save percentage. Talbot leads all goalies with 32 starts this season.

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The NHL's No. 1 star of the week is exactly who you thought it would be.

Florida Panthers forward and all-time NHL legend Jaromir Jagr took home this week's honors, after recording five assists in three games, propelling him past Mark Messier and into second place on the league's all-time scoring list with 1,889 points. The 44-year-old is second on the Panthers with 21 points in 31 games.

Jeff Carter's scoring tear earned him the second star, as the Los Angeles Kings center scored five goals in three games, resulting in two wins. Carter leads the Kings in points (29) and is tied for second in the NHL with 19 goals this season. His prominence in Los Angeles' attack is a major reason they're holding on to a wild-card position in the west.

Lastly, Edmonton Oilers netminder Cam Talbot is the third star this week after achieving a 2-0-1 record with a 2.26 goals against average and .926 save percentage. Talbot leads all goalies with 32 starts this season.

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