Monday Injury Analysis
By Ray Calder
Here is this weeks Injury analysis starting with the two most significant ones according to my mailbag ;
- According to last nights broadcast against the Panthers , Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo is not even sure when he's going to start skating (practice) never mind when he'll return to game action . Keep rolling with Cory Schneider and Curtis Stanford if you have them and I wouldn't expect Luongo to be back until at least early 09 .
- The Wild's Marian Gaborik is expected back this week as he's been skating with the team the last few days according to the teams official website . I would leave him out of your lineups until you see he's fine for 2 games in a row and assuming he has no setbacks- get ready to have him back for next week .
Now on to the position by position look ;
Goalies ;
Montreal's Carey Price is dealing with the flu and according to the Montreal Gazette , he may end up being out until after Christmas . Stay clear this week obviously .
According to Newsday The Islanders Rick Dipietro was expected to begin practicing with the team today and could be back this coming weekend or more likely in the back to back games Dec. 26 and 27 .
Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury is ready to return this week as the club has returned John Curry to the team's AHL affiliate . This was a groin injury so keep an eye on his first couple of games to ensure he has no setbacks .
Washington's Jose Theodore has some general soreness and is day to day . The team actually dressed their web designer Brett Leonhardt Friday evening because Simeon Varlamov who was being recalled to backup, could not get to the game in time as he was in Houston for that nights AHL contest . Brent Johnson will continue to be the starter but watch for Varlamov to get more opportunities off of a brilliant effort Saturday night against the Canadiens .
Forwards:
Buffalo's Maxim Afinogenov is not hurt but his spot on the depth chart continues to slide . He played just over 5 minutes Saturday night and is firmly entrenched in coach Lindy Ruffs doghouse . I put him here because there were so many emails this past week wondering if the team was hiding an injury ...I don't believe that's the case - he's just not producing and since he's a poor defensive forward and doesn't kill penalties , he's been passed by others .
Colorado's Joe Sakic lost a battle with a snowblower this past week while already sidelined with a back injury . He suffered three broken fingers and tendon damage to at least one finger according to the NHL Network . He's out until at least March and it would be a terrible shame if this was the way his Hall of Fame career was to close .
Fellow forward Marek Savtos has a back injury and I would shelve him this week as he looks very iffy for the early going at least .
According to the team's website David Booth is close to returning for the Panthers . He was going great guns before suffering the shoulder injury so his return will be a welcomed sight for his roto owners.
Montreals Chris Higgins is in need of shoulder surgery and is expected to miss the next 5 weeks per the Montreal Gazette . Saku Koivu is out the next 2 weeks with a foot/ankle injury .
The Blues Paul Kariya has been out since November 5 with a hip injury . The team's website reports he's making progress but no return date is set .
San Jose's Jeremy Roenick is out for at least the next 3 weeks with a shoulder injury according to the AP . Don't look for him to return until early 2009. Fellow forward Joe Pavelski suffered a lower body injury Saturday but is probable to play this evening against the Kings .
Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis suffered an 8 stitch cut (could have been a lot worse) on Saturday night when he accidentally was struck by a linesman's skate . He will wear a visor according to the St Petes Times and should be fine for the clubs next game .
Toronto's Niklas Hagman practiced Monday according to the Fan 590 in Toronto and could return for Saturday's game .
Defensemen;
Buffalo's Craig Rivet is out 2 weeks with a shoulder injury per the Buffalo News .
Carolina's Tim Gleason and Dennis Seidenberg both returned against the Rangers Saturday night in New York . Feel free to use them if you need them.
Dallas Sergei Zubov remains out with a hip problem and there are some published reports suggesting that he may be in line for more surgery . Don't look for him to return for some time and if surgery becomes the choice his year could be in jeopardy .
Detroit got Chris Chelios back this past weekend and it appears that Brett Lebda will be the odd man out until the team suffers an inury on the blueline .
Montreal's Mike Komisarek (shoulder) could play as soon as this Tuesday night .
Ottawa's Anton Volchenkov (lower body) is expected to play Tuesday evening and should be a safe activate this week.
Vancouver's Sami Salo is questionable for Wednesday evening as he is dealing with a groin injury . I'd hold him out this week and if you have Salo you know he's not a fast healer .
Washington's Mike Green returned Friday against Ottawa and seems safe to use again .