So much for that callup. The San Jose Sharks have sent Mirco Mueller back down just one day after bringing him up to the NHL. The former 18th overall pick was recalled yesterday to likely serve as insurance for a late scratch in last night’s game against the Ottawa Senators. The young defender will return to the Barracuda to continue his development and try to force himself into the Sharks’ plan.
- Good news Chicago fans, the captain is returning soon. According to Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago, Jonathan Toews will be back on the ice with the team tomorrow and could play Sunday against the Dallas Stars. Toews has missed the last seven games with a back injury and was placed on injured reserve on December 2nd. A model of consistency over the past decade, Toews has scored between 23 and 34 goals in every single season of his career, but is in jeopardy of missing that mark this year with just four tallies through the team’s first 28 games. It’ll be interesting to see whether he comes back at %100 and starts putting up the numbers everyone has come to expect since making his debut in 2007-08.
- Not to be outdone, the Winnipeg Jets will welcome back their top center tonight as Mark Scheifele will be back in the lineup versus the New York Rangers. Scheifele has missed three games due to a lower-body injury. Head coach Paul Maurice spoke to the media at the morning skate and told reporters “as soon as he felt strong enough to play, we’re not going to worry about [re-injury]”. Scheifele has formed one of the most dynamic lines in hockey with Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers this season, recording a combined 74 points through the Jets’ 29 games.
- The Colorado Avalanche are on a brutal six-game losing streak at the moment, and they’ll turn to the young Calvin Pickard to try and right the ship. After last playing on November 29th, Pickard will try to continue his excellent play and right the ship for Colorado against the Boston Bruins tonight. The 24-year old netminder has a .920 save percentage and 2.44 goals against average, both marks considerably better than teammate (and supposed #1) Semyon Varlamov. If the play of the two goaltenders continue this way, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Pickard start more and more games through the season. It’s also looking more and more like the Avalanche will need to protect Pickard in the upcoming expansion draft, as he’ll be mighty enticing to a new franchise.