Florida Panthers netminder Roberto Luongo will be out longer than initially thought, as he's scheduled to miss two-to-four weeks with a Grade 1 MCL injury, head coach Bob Boughner said Monday.
On Sunday, it was reported that Luongo would miss at least a week after teammate Frank Vatrano fell on his leg in the Panthers' season opener.
With Luongo out, James Reimer will take over the starter role. Michael Hutchinson has been recalled from the AHL to serve as the backup.
The 39-year-old Luongo missed 27 games with a lower-body injury last season while posting a .929 save percentage across 33 starts. His health going forward will be a key factor for the Panthers and their playoff hopes.
Van Riemsdyk took a puck off the leg in the first period and was unable to return.
After posting a career-high 36 goals with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, the Flyers inked van Riemsdyk to a five-year, $35-million contract on July 1.
The Columbus Blue Jackets will be without Brandon Dubinsky for the next four-to-six weeks after the forward strained an oblique muscle during practice, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced Sunday.
It marks the second consecutive season Dubinsky has been forced to miss a significant chunk of time. In 2017-18, he missed 20 games as he dealt with a broken orbital bone and other personal issues. He finished the season with a career-low 16 points.
Dubinsky, 32, was off to a strong start to begin the new campaign, registering a goal and an assist in the Blue Jackets' first two games.
Every Monday, theScore will be rolling out a weekly fantasy hockey column: 5 moves you need to make. Ownership percentages (as of Oct. 6) and position eligibility courtesy Yahoo.
Heading into the season, Evander Kane was expected to slot in alongside Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski, but it turns out Meier has been handed that role. He's a former ninth overall pick coming off breakout, 21-goal season, despite averaging less than 15 minutes per night. Even in a limited role, he still finished third on the team with 210 shots.
The Sharks are one of only three teams with four games this week. Of those three, they're the only club that doesn't play on Saturday, when you'll likely have a full lineup anyway. Meier needs to be added in all leagues.
Scoop up Curtis McElhinney
Jamie Sabau / National Hockey League / Getty
Team: Hurricanes Position: G Ownership: Six percent
McElhinney was claimed on waivers by the Hurricanes after the Maple Leafs opted to go with the younger Garret Sparks as their backup netminder. The decision was made even though McElhinney was coming off a career year, in which he posted a .934 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average.
The veteran goaltender has never threatened to be a starter in his career, but with Scott Darlingout to begin the season and Petr Mrazek struggling so far, McElhinney could seize the No. 1 gig. The Hurricanes have one of the league's best blue lines, and allowed the fewest shots in the NHL a year ago, so continued success isn't too far-fetched for the journeyman netminder.
Drop Tom Wilson
Team: Capitals Position: RW Ownership: 30 percent
Even though Tom Wilson has great value in leagues that include hits and PIMs, he can be dropped due to his 20-game suspension. He's appealing his ban, but getting it reduced by a significant amount seems doubtful given his history.
Having a player take up a roster spot for a quarter of the year could torpedo your season. It's doubtful anyone will pick him up, so you could re-add him when there's only four or five games left in his suspension.
Pick up Elias Lindholm
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Team: Flames Position: C/RW Ownership: 28 percent
When Lindholm was sent from Carolina to Calgary in a blockbuster deal on Day 2 of the NHL Draft, the first reaction from fantasy pundits was that an opportunity to play alongside Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau could finally help the former fifth overall pick reach his potential. However, James Neal was signed as a free agent about a week later, presumably stealing Lindholm's first-line real estate.
To start the season, it has been Lindholm, not Neal, playing with Calgary's two best players - both at 5-on-5 and on the power play. If the skilled Swede takes this opportunity and runs with it, he could be a staple on your fantasy team all season long.
Acquire Troy Terry
Team: Ducks Position: RW Ownership: 6 percent
Ducks rookie Troy Terry has been gifted a glorious opportunity to skate alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell on the team's first line. Don't view him as a long-term solution to your fantasy team, as his role could quickly diminish as the Ducks get healthy.
Anaheim plays four games this week, and all of their opponents (vs. Red Wings, vs. Coyotes, at Stars, at Blues) either have question marks in the crease, or on the back end. Terry, who represented USA at the Olympics, could have himself a productive week as long as he remains on the Ducks' top line.
Florida initially deemed it a lower-body injury, but head coach Bob Boughner said postgame that Luongo will undergo further tests on his right knee.
A source told Richards that it may not be much more than a sprain. The IR designation requires Luongo to miss at least seven days, but it could be retroactive to Saturday's contest.
The Panthers are off Sunday and will practice Monday. Michael Hutchinson was reportedly recalled Sunday in a corresponding move.
Quick was initially deemed day to day earlier in the afternoon after sustaining what the team called a lower-body injury in Saturday's practice.
As a result of the IR designation, the netminder will miss at least a week. However, the designation could be retroactive to Friday, when he last played in an overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks.
The Kings recalled Peter Budaj from the AHL on Sunday in a corresponding move.
Quick was initially deemed day to day earlier in the afternoon after sustaining what the team called a lower-body injury in Saturday's practice.
As a result of the IR designation, the netminder will miss at least a week. However, the designation could be retroactive to Friday, when he last played in an overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks.
The Kings recalled Peter Budaj from the AHL on Sunday in a corresponding move.
