By Ray Calder,Hockeyobserver.com
Goalies : The Islanders Rick DiPietro returned to the nets Saturday evening for his first game after having surgeries on his hip and left knee this past offseason . He's a safe play at the moment,but we'll keep an eye to see if he experiences any swelling in the knee ...Chris Mason,St Louis backup,is out at least 2 weeks following an appendectomy . The team has switched Ben Bishop in for Marek Schwarz (back to AHL) as the current backup . Manny Legace will continue to start for the Blues who are off to an exciting start .
Defensemen: The Canes Frantisek Kaberle has a hairline fracture in his foot and will miss at least the next couple of weeks ...Jackets defenseman Christian Backman is day to day with a lower body injury . He's not much of a fantasy option but should be back later this week if you do need him ...Dallas Sergei Zubov (hip) is not eligible to return to the team until after Oct. 31 as the team asked for and received a long term injury claim from the NHL. Keep him benched for at least the next 2 weeks ...Detroit's Brad Stuart is day to day with a minor knee injury. Saw the game against the Rangers Saturday and Wings coach Mike Babcock didn't seem concerned with Stuart' injury ...The Panthers Bryan Allen is contemplating more surgery on his knee and will likely miss significantly more time . Don't look for him in Florida anytime soon and he may be done for months not weeks if surgery becomes the choice ...Tom Poti of the Caps suffered a groin injury late this past week and was unable to go Saturday night against the Devils . Reserve him immediately as Poti is known as a slow healer .
Forwards:Carolina's Rod BrindAmour looks to be fine after having knee surgery just over a month ago . Feel free to roll with him. Tuomo Ruutu however is still dealing with pain from a groin injury he suffered early in training camp - leave him out of your lineups this week ...Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg has a groin injury and has been termed out week to week . Even if he sneaks in later this week the injury is going to slow him ...Minneosta's Marian Gaborik is day to day with more hip trouble . This is not good news and he appears to be out most of if not all this week . Also in Minnesota , Owen Nolan is expected back late this coming week after dealing with a right hip injury . Pierre Marc Bouchard has gone on the IR for the Wild with a back injury . He's out this week at a minimum ...Andrei Kostitsyn Montreal appeared to suffer a concussion Saturday evening against Phoenix . He's been ruled out for Monday already (vs Florida) so with only one other game for the Habs this week replace him in your lineups ..There was some news about Steve Sullivan in Nashville this past week but he's a guy that shouldn't even be on your radar at the moment . The very best his owners should expect is a return around Christmas time if he has no setbacks (back injuries are among the most unpredictable).. The Devils Bobby Holik broke his pinky finger against Washhington Saturday and is day to day .Also in Jersey,Brian Rolston has a high ankle sprain and should be out of your lineup for at least the next couple of weeks . High ankle sprains can last 6 weeks or more so any noise suggesting he'll be back quickly is likely just someone being optomistic ... ...Blues outstanding rookie Patrick Berglund has a shoulder injury suffered Thursday and while he has practiced , it has been with a red no contact jersey on . I would expect they'll be cautious with this huge talent and I would not play him this week unless I had next to no other options with my fantasy team...The Sharks Milan Michalek has an upper body injury and is day to day . Vancouver' Kyle Wellwood cleared waivers and was sent to Manitoba (AHL) . His conditioning (or lack thereof) is still an issue and I would drop him in any league that did not have a significantly deep bench . To those who emailed ...he should be absolutely dropped in anything that is not a keeper format .
Last Updated : Sunday Oct 19 9:08 pm