Injury Analysis December 1, 2008
By Ray Calder, HockeyObserver.com
A much lighter week in injuries this week after the losses of Roberto Luongo and Brenden Morrow a week earlier ;
Goaltenders:
Anaheim's Jean - Sebastien Giguere is back with his team after some personal time away . He's expected to be back in the net this evening . Backup Jonas Hiller has been terrific in his absence .
Atlanta's Kari Lehtonen last played the day before Halloween . His back injury continues to keep him off the ice . According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution he should be ready to get back on the ice practicing in the next few days . He'll need more time to get back into game shape so wait at least this week before considering him as an option .
Carolina's Cam Ward has a groin injury that should keep him out at least a few games according to the team's website . Groin injuries are always bad news and even moreso with netminders ...look to backup Michael Leighton this week if you want starts in the Canes net.
Florida's Tomas Vokoun is not hurt but is in danger of losing more playing time to backup Craig Anderson who has been superb when given the start .
In Nashville Dan Ellis is not injured but appears to be losing some starts to rookie Pekka Rinne . Nothing Ellis owners can do right now, but it's something they should watch for .
Pittsburgh's Marc Andre Fleury continues to be sidelined with an undisclosed injury . Dany Sabourin continues to start and look pretty decent as the backup .
Vancouver's Roberto Luongo is expected to get some on ice work this week but even in the best case he's going to be out another 2 weeks . Curtis Stanford is the starter but watch for the team to contiunue giving rookie Cory Schneider more opportunities as he has much more upside long term .
Forwards:
Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk practiced with the teams 4th line this morning . He's not injured but may be finding his minutes cut in the next few games . You can't bench him of course but adjusting your expectations might be wise .
Boston's Marco Sturm is safe to get back in your lineups as he's over his concussion and could be back Thursday evening .
Buffalo's Tim Connolly is out at least one more week with his broken rib . Also in Buffalo Maxim Afinogenov is firmly in coach Lindy Ruff's doghouse and published reports in Buffalo and Toronto suggest he's going to be a healthy scratch in coming days .
I'll say it again ...if you're in a dynasty /keeper league get Nathan Gerbe as he's going to be here sooner or later (currently has 13 goals in his first AHL exposure).
Carolina's Justin Williams is way ahead of schedule in his recovery from an achilles injury that was expected to keep him out until February or March . Per the teams official website he was cleared for contact last week and could return by this coming weekend .
Colorado is going to be without Joe Sakic a while longer as he has had a setback with his back injury . Per the Denver Post he'll get an MRI in the next few days and they'll decide what course of action comes next . He should not be in your lineups this week and I'd have an eye on a longer term replacement if I was relying on him this season .The team got some good news when Wojtek Wolski returned this past week and contributed right away . He's safe for you to play this week .
Dallas Fabian Brunnstrom is becoming a bit player in Dallas and may sit some as a healthy scratch as the team continues to struggle. He played only one shift on Sunday ...pick another option short term while he's on the bench or in the press box .
Detroit's Tomas Holmstrom is expected back Thursday evening after missing time with a back injury .
Edmonton's Robert Nilsson is day to day with an upper body injury . Per the NHL Network he is doubtful for Wednesday nights game .
Florida's David Booth is day to day with a shoulder injury suffered Sunday against the Rangers .
Minnesota's Marian Gaborik remains out . This supposed minor injury has now kept him out since early October . His fantasy value has taken a huge hit and clearly nobody is going to gut their franchise of talent and handicap their salary cap by trading for him .
Montreal's Alex Tanguay expects he'll be ready to return from his neck injury Tuesday evening . Get ready to activate him .
New Jersey's Brian Rolston is aiming for a Thursday night return after being off several weeks with a high ankle sprain . He's practicing with his team and is nearly ready to go per Newsday .Also Bobby Holik may practice Tuesday after missing some time with a finger injury . If he gets back on the ice Tuesday he could return to the lineup within a week barring any setbacks .
Philadelphia's Daniel Briere is nearly ready to return off a groin injury that has shelved him the last couple of weeks . He's hoping Tuesday night against the Lightning will see him back in the lineup .
The Blues Paul Kariya is still out with his hip flexor injury . I'd leave him out this week at least in fantasy lineups. The Blues did get some good news when rookie Patrick Berglund returned to the lineup late week .
Toronto's Jason Blake had a concussion but will return this eve per the NHL Network . Matt Stajan is questionable as he's battling the flu and required an IV Saturday during the win against the Flyers .
Washington's Alex Semin is still out with an upper back strain and may miss the entire week according to the NHL Network . I'd look at all your other options before rolling with him this week .
Defensemen;
Dallas' Sergei Zubov will be out with a lower body injury believed to be related to his hip problem . Look elsewhere for this week at least .
Lubomir Visnovsky of the Oilers left the ice on a small sled Saturday looking like he was badly injured having been hit into the boards . He was back on the ice for Sunday's game and is fine going forward .
The Kings Jack Johnson has resumed on ice workouts but will not return until the All Star Break .Also in LA, Denis Gauthier is out with a foot injury and Peter Harrold should see more minutes in his absence per the LA Daily News .
The Senators returned Brian Lee to the AHL Sunday . Expect him to be back in the not too distant future as he's clearly more capable than some of Ottawa's other blueline options .
Pittsburgh's Ryan Whitney is working out on ice and continues to get stronger . It's possible he could return within 2 weeks as noted on the telecast against Buffalo the other night .
Toronto's Mike Van Ryn is back working out on the ice and could return in as little as 2 weeks per the Toronto Sun .
Washington's Tom Poti is day to day with a groin injury . Look elsewhere at least this week .Fellow blueliner Karl Alzner was injured Saturday against the Bluejackets with what looked to be a shoulder injury . Initial word was that it was not too serious .Mike Green is not expected back in the early part of the week . I'd sit him for this week unless I was comfortable maybe only getting one game out of him for the 7 day period .