A Look at the Key injuries from this past week ;
By Ray Calder HockeyObserver.com
Goaltenders ;Blue Jackets Pascal Leclaire has a minor ankle injury that will sideline him at least a few games . Fredrik Norrena takes over as the starter and the team has recalled Dan Lacosta from the AHL to be his backup ... Minnesota's Josh Harding is healthy finally after an eye injury and is ready to resume the backup duties in Minnesota . He may get his first start this week as the team is playing 4 games ...The Islanders Rick DiPietro is to have his knee looked at today but is looking doubtful at least for this evening ...The Senators lost Martin Gerber to a leg injury in Friday's morning skate . He is thought to be day to day but the team has called up Brian Elliot from the AHL and Alex Auld takes over the starting role ...The Blues Manny Legace slipped on the carpet used for the ceremonial puck drop (Sarah Palin) Saturday evening . He apparently felt a pull (hip flexor muscle) and then had the injury flare up during the game . He's day to day so for now Ben Bishop and Marek Schwarz share the Blues crease ...
Forwards:Buffalo should get Tim Connolly back at some point this week . He has been skating for several days and is thought he might get back in against Tampa Bay Thursday .My advice would be to keep him on reserve until he plays 2 games in a row with perfect health . He has terrific skills but he's too risky this week. Teammate Paul Gaustad is good to go and expected to play Monday evening ...Calgary forward Matt Lombardi is day to day with a shoulder injury ...The Canes lost Brandon Sutter Saturday to a heavy hit by the Isles Doug Weight . He is going to be ok after spending a night in the hospital but is not well enough to fly so he'll be taking the train back to Carolina . Bet that he suffered a concussion of some degree and leave him on your bench this week ... Columbus placed Fredrik Modin on Injured reserve with a groin injury . Reserve him this week ..Detroit lost forward Johan Franzen for at least the next 3 weeks with a sprained MCL ligament (knee) ...The Wild's Marian Gaborik is back on the ice but still day to day with a groin injury . If you have safer options even in this 4 game week I think I would leave him on your bench one more week. Teammate Pierre- Marc Bouchard has returned from his back injury ...Montreal got Chris Higgins back in their lineup on Saturday against Anaheim after he had missed the first 6 games with a groin injury ...The Devils Jamie Langenbrunner is day to day with a lower body injury . With the team only playing 2 games this week do the safe thing and reserve him ...The Flyers Daniel Briere had 2 tears in his abdominal wall and he will miss the next month . Reserve him and look for a longer term replacement as he could be out up to 6 weeks .Vancouver's Pavol Demitra suffered fractured rib cartilage and will miss the next 3-4 weeks . He's been known as a bit of a slow healer so get someone you can be comfortable with to replace his production .
Defense :The Sabres Henrik Tallinder is questionable with an ankle injury(laceration) for tonight's game . It's a day to day injury but I'd shelve him for a better option this week in roto leagues ...Carolina lost Joni Pitkanen over the weekend for a month with a knee injury . Get him on reserve right away ...Columbus blueliner Kris Russell was demoted to the AHL this weekend when the team needed another goalie calling up Dan Lacosta to backup Fredrik Norrena. Russell is not injured and should be back in short order ...The Stars Sergei Zubov is back on the ice and set to return Saturday November 1- the first day he is eligible . If you have daily transactions activate him Saturday, if not get ready for next week for his first action ...Detroit had Andreas Lilja return to the ice Saturday after he had missed the start of the season with an appendectomy ...Minnesota's Marek Zidlicky returned this past week . Get him in your lineups for this 4 game week ...The Islanders Brendan Witt is day to day with a knee injury . Jack Hillen replaces him in the lineup while he is out ... The Leafs Jeff Finger returned to the lineup Saturday after missing the seasons first couple of weeks . Also in Toronto Carlo Colaiacovo has been a healthy scratch 4 of the last 5 games - he's not injured the Leafs are looking at all possible blueline combinations and he's been the odd man out more often than not of late - keep him on your bench until the haze clears as to Toronto blueliners playing time ...Vancouver has been without Sami Salo but he skated the last 2 days and is expected back in the lineup Tuesday night against Boston .