NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Leafs Woll is expected to return soon; Utah’s Ullmark could play Saturday against Tampa Bay; plus more NHL news

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll is expected to return from a lower body injury. Woll has been working out with the goalie coach and skill coaches (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Toronto Maple Leafs Joseph Woll is soon to return following a lower body injury. Woll made his first practice on October 8th. Woll had missed Toronto’s first four games. The last four days he’s been working with the goalie coach and skill coaches. Leafs head coach Craig Berube said that Woll looked good in practice and that Woll is heading in the right direction.

#2 Ottawa Senators Linus Ullmark is expected to return from undisclosed strain. Ullmark has missed the last two games and was evaluated Friday and could play against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night. Ullmark said he’s doing well and that’s he’s been putting in a lot of work.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks Landon Slaggert signed two year $1.8 million contract with the Hawks. The deal is worth $900,000 per season and the contract is expected to start next season. Slaggert played for the Blackhawks last season scoring one goal and three assists. Slaggert right now is in the Blackhawks AHL affiliate Rockford. Slaggert picked up an assist in Rockford’s opener on Sep 29.

#4 The Utah Hockey Club’s John Marino is reportedly months away from joining the team. Marino is suffering from an upper body injury. Utah defenseman Sean Durzi is also out with a upper body injury. Durzi was listed out indefinitely. Utah head coach Andre Touringy said that Durzi should be back with the team sometime this season.

#5 The Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedelijkovic is expected to return to the line up soon. Nedelikovic is suffering from a lower body injury. Nedelijkovic was reassigned to the Penguins AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Nedelijkovic is needed back soon to replace Penguins starting goaltender Tristan Jarry who has been out with an injury since Sep 30.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Letang expected to return to Pens in ten days; Leafs Engvall suspended for one game; plus more news

 Pittsburgh Penguins’ Kris Letang plays during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Boston. It was reported that Letang could return in ten days after suffering a stroke back on Nov 28, 2022 (AP News file)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang was told that he could go back to a normal life Thursday after ten days. LeTang had a stroke back on Nov 28th. Letang 35, was back at practice this week after missing four games and is on a day to day stick tap.

#2 The Toronto Blue Maples Leafs forward Pierre Engvall was suspended for one game for high sticking the Los Angeles Kings defenseman Sean Durzi at 1:02 in the third period Thursday night it was assessed as a match penalty.

#3 Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored an empty netter against the Seattle Kraken on Friday night it was goal number 796 making Ovechkin four goals shy of 800. Ovechkin is now five goals short of reaching Gordie Howe who is second on the all time list with 801. Wayne Gretzky is number one with 894 goals.

#4 Matt, how bad does it have to get for the Colorado Avalanche as Nathan MacKinnon will miss four weeks of action due to a upper body injury. MacKinnon left in first period against the Philadelphia Flyers. MacKinnon winced and favored his left side before leaving the ice.

#5 The Edmonton Oilers Jesse Puljujarvi has doubts about his ability to play in the NHL so far this season Puljujarvi has one goal, five assists in 26 games this season. Puljujarvi feels he’s gone down hill he had double hip surgery four years ago. Puljujarvi has ability if last season was any indication with 14 goals and 22 assists, and 36 points but this season has fallen off.

Matt Harrington does the NHL podcast Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com