The majority of players who come to camp on a professional tryout (PTO) won't be successful on their tryout attempt, but attending Flames' camp was worth Tyson Barrie's time. Barrie has landed a one-year contract with the Flames for $1.25 million.

The upside for Barrie is that he is able to secure time on the top power play at some point, perhaps based on injury or merit. Mackenzie Weegar seems to be the preferred option on PP1, which would be tremendous for his value. Weegar has been a solid multicategory option dating back to his time in Florida, but the lack of power-play deployment has always been the missing piece. Throwing Barrie on the top power play would throw a monkey wrench into that. 

A more likely spot for Barrie is the second power play along with Rasmus Andersson. This wouldn't be super ideal for Barrie, as Calgary isn't an overly deep team right now. He would also need to get into the lineup every night to be considered in fantasy leagues, which is something that can't be guaranteed either. Barrie can move the puck, which is something coach Ryan Huska has stated he wants on his defense. However, Barrie's defensive shortcomings still put him at risk to be healthy scratched.

Should Calgary also finish where they are expected to in the standings, Barrie is also potential trade bait for a contender. That might not be the best thing for Barrie either, but he needs to make the most of his opportunity.

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If your fantasy team has avoided the injury bug this preseason, congratulations. I don't think I've ever seen a preseason with this many injuries, particularly involving key players. Some of these injuries simply involve players being pulled for precautionary reasons, while others are more serious and will require months of recovery.

Perhaps as a result of these injuries, the NHL may decide to schedule fewer preseason games. I'm in favor of removing two exhibition games from the 6-8 games that are currently scheduled for each team. I know that teams use these games to evaluate prospects in their system and not just the projected opening-night roster, which should really be the focus of these games. However, the NHL regular season is already long enough (82 games to eliminate 16 teams), so I'm not really in favor of adding those games to the regular season. After all, the injuries won't stop if preseason games become regular-season games.

Call this an early Injury Ward of sorts, but I'll run down the current state of affairs for the most fantasy-relevant injuries.

Artemi Panarin

Panarin left Tuesday's game with a lower-body issue. The fact that he left a second preseason game with this injury is concerning, but word after the game was that his removal was more precautionary as opposed to re-aggravating an injury. Panarin was not on the ice on Thursday and probably will not suit up for Friday's preseason game, so he should be questionable for opening night on Wednesday.

J.T. Miller

This one might not be receiving much coverage outside of Vancouver, but Miller has not appeared in a preseason game yet. Miller is resting some sort of minor ailment and wouldn't get into details when asked, but he is expected to play in the Canucks' final preseason game on Friday against Edmonton. Expect him to be ready for opening night on Wednesday. If you think there are too many preseason games, Miller agrees with you.

Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, and Thomas Chabot

The Senators were hit with the double whammy on one play on Tuesday when Arber Xhekaj levelled Stutzle with this late hit to the head, forcing Stutzle to leave the game. Then Tkachuk showed the right intention in standing up for Stutzle by fighting Xhekaj, but the wrong result as he joined Stutzle in the medical room.

According to multiple reports, Arber Xhekaj will not face any supplemental discipline for this hit on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/0JfH5ul6XB

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 2, 2024

Unrelated to that incident, Chabot also left Tuesday's game, making Senators fans wonder why their team doesn't have better luck. Yet Sens GM Steve Staios briefly stated on a Wednesday interview that they would all be okay. Tkachuk has now left two consecutive games with shoulder issues, so his injury situation might be one to watch. The Sens have gotten off to slow starts in recent seasons, so injuries to one or more of these key players could put them behind the 8-ball again.

Jason Robertson

Jason Robertson as preseason finishes up #NHL #FantasyHockey pic.twitter.com/MPXdXP21uN

— Dobber (@DobberHockey) October 3, 2024

I can't resist a good Willy Wonka clip, especially if the Willy Wonka is Gene Wilder. Robertson underwent surgery in late July to remove a cyst on his foot and was expected to miss most of the preseason, which he has. The Stars' opening-night game is not until Thursday, so Robo has plenty of time to get right before then. It's worth mentioning that Robertson did not play in the preseason in his career-best 2022-23 season due to a contract holdout.

John Tavares

Tavares was day-to-day with a lower-body injury. However, he has been practicing recently, particularly with the top power play. Nothing to worry about here, as is the case with William Nylander and Auston Matthews, who have also been dealing with minor injuries.

Macklin Celebrini

The first overall pick left Tuesday's game with a possible ankle injury after crashing into the boards. He is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury. At this point, he should be considered questionable for the Sharks' opening-night game on Thursday, as he won't be in the lineup for Friday's preseason game.  

Erik Karlsson

Karlsson has not participated in training camp or any preseason games, but he still says he plans on playing in the Penguins' season opener on Wednesday. He has at least been skating on his own, with coach Mike Sullivan stating he has been making progress. Karlsson should be considered very questionable for that season opener, though.

Drew Doughty

Doughty is considered month-to-month with a fractured ankle. I covered what Doughty's injury means fantasy-wise in last weekend's Ramblings.

Patrik Laine and David Reinbacher

Laine is expected to miss the next 2-3 months with a sprained knee that won't require surgery. That timeline would put him on track to return sometime in December.  That's a little better news than that of Reinbacher, who will need knee surgery and will need 5-6 months to recover from it. This injury is hardly ideal for Reinbacher, whose development could be delayed a full year because of it. 

Luke Hughes

Hughes has not resumed skating and is expected to miss another 5-7 weeks. That would project Hughes to return sometime in November. As mentioned before, Dougie Hamilton's stock improves, as he should be on the top power play. Once Hughes returns, things could get more interesting.

Jared McCann

McCann was held out of Wednesday's game with a lower-body injury. It could have been a precautionary move, though. The Kraken play on Tuesday, which is one of the earlier opening nights, so this is something to keep an eye on.

William Karlsson

Wild Bill has not played in any preseason games due to an undisclosed injury. The Golden Knights still have one more preseason game on Saturday, so it's still possible he draws in for that game. If not, he should be considered questionable for opening night on Wednesday.

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The NHL regular season starts very early in the day today at 1 pm ET with the Devils and Sabres facing off for the first of two games in Prague. I know this is the NHL's attempt to grow the game in other countries, but I'm not sure I like these games being played as regular-season games while other teams are still finishing off the preseason and not set to start the regular season until next week. Out-of-continent games seem to be the norm for professional sports leagues nowadays to market their leagues worldwide, so we that play fantasy sports have to be aware and adapt. 

These games do provide an opportunity for fantasy hockey leagues to start, so this is your reminder to have your lineups set if these games are included as part of your league. I noticed in one of my leagues that Jack Quinn (21% rostered in Yahoo) has been a very popular pickup as a Sabres forward with upside. Quinn has been on a "kid" (under-25) line with Dylan Cozens and Zach Benson during the preseason, which is something that could stick for this game. Other waiver-wire options for this game include Benson (8% Yahoo) as well as Dawson Mercer (15% Yahoo) and Erik Haula for the Devils (6% Yahoo).

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