Hodgson will make his Sabres debut on the newly-formed second line. In 63 games with the Vancouver Canucks, the former 10th overall pick scored 13 goals and 33 points.
The former 10th overall pick has played well in his rookie season with six goals and 15 points on the year. Don't expect the third liner to miss any playing time.
AV on Hodgson's status: "He's fine. He wanted to play, but our medical staff felt he should stay out. He should be okay".
The last thing the Canucks need is another forward injury after playing Andrew Alberts on the fourth line earlier in the week. The former 10th overall pick has played well in his rookie season with six goals and 15 points on the year. Don't expect the third liner to miss any playing time.
In his first game on the third line, Hodgson registered a goal. His offensive skills are much better utilized on a scoring line so expect him to get a few more looks.
For now you'd have to think the logical place for Hodgson is on the third line, perhaps at centre. AV could have Manny Malhotra take the draws and then move to wing with Jannik Hansen on the other wing. All in all, it's a pretty decent assignment for the 21-year old centre.
Look for Hodgson to stay on the third line as long as he adds speed to the third line. In a perfect world his production would make up for losing Raffi Torres.
Hodgson moves back to the second line pivot role after one game on the third. Over his first four games this season he scored one goal with a minus-1 rating. The jury remains out on the former top prospect.
Cody Hodgson will centre the second line — as a stand-in for injured Ryan Kesler, who’s expected to miss the first month of the season recovering from hip surgery — between veteran wingers Marco Sturm and Mikael Samuelsson.
Hodgson holds high potential as a former 10th overall pick. The former 10th overall pick scored 17 goals and 30 points through 52 games for the Manitoba Moose last season. Grab him now if you need a depth center.
They also can see nothing would help Hodgson’s development more than meaningful minutes in meaningful NHL games. So, all things being equal, Hodgson should be the guy. Hodgson has had good moments but hasn’t been great this preseason.
Hodgson has showed very little this preseason but likely still gets a chance at the second line role. The former 10th overall pick scored 17 goals and 30 points through 52 games for the Manitoba Moose last season. He could mesh well with veterans Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm.
As for Hodgson, he has yet to record a point in three outings, but his pace and awareness seem better. His biggest test could come later in the week to see if he can mesh with the veteran core.
Hodgson should remain the frontrunner to replace Ryan Kesler on the second line. The former 10th overall pick scored 17 goals and 30 points through 52 games for the Manitoba Moose last season. He could mesh well with veterans Mikael Samuelsson and Christopher Higgins.
Notably, Vancouver will dress what amounts to three fourth lines to further evaluate the competition for two open spots there, and a nominal offensive line that has Cody Hodgson at centre between veteran Marco Sturm and rookie Nicklas Jensen.
Hodgson could center the second line with Ryan Kesler injured. He scored a goal and an assist through eight games last season. The former 10th overall pick has a good deal of potential and should be given a long look over the next few weeks.
The Vancouver Canucks centre is expected to be a fourth-line fixture with Tanner Glass and the demoted Mikael Samuelsson in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal against the Nashville Predators.