Injury Analysis December 8, 2008
By Ray Calder HockeyObserver.com
Goaltenders:
Boston's Tim Thomas had some flu like symptoms in the last week or so . He's fine now though and both he and Manny Fernandez continue to push each other in the B's crease .
Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin is expected back the middle of this week if he suffers no setbacks .
Dan Ellis in Nashville has an undisclosed injury and is in danger of losing some playing time to last weeks top performer in the nets Pekka Rinne. If you own Ellis you should be watching this situation very carefully .
The Pens Marc- Andre Fleury skated with his teammates at practice today for the first time since suffering a lower body injury (believed to be a groin) November 15 . Expect Dany Sabourin to continue to start this week .
Vancouver's Roberto Luongo could be back in as little as 10 days . Keep him benched this week as rookie Cory Schneider is playing well enough that they won't aggressively push Luongo back into the crease before he's ready .
Forwards:
Buffalo's Tim Connolly (rib) is likely out most of if not all of this week still .
Colorado's Joe Sakic is out another 5-6 weeks with a herniated disc in his back . The hope is that rest will allow the injury to settle down and he'll be able to play perhaps after the All Star Break .
Florida's Rostislav Olesz suffered a groin injury Thursday and is day to day .
Minnesota's Owen Nolan is out again with a lower body injury . Don't count on him this week if you normally would .Also in Minnesota, Marian Gaborik has been skating on his own but is still some time away from game action .
Philadelphia's Daniel Briere is out long term . No change in his status and you should treat him like Joe Sakic in one year leagues (that is have a replacement you'll be comfortable with for the long term).Simon Gagne missed one game last week with dehydration but he should be safe to roll with this week .
Pittsburgh's Tyler Kennedy sprained his knee this past week and is lost for the next 4-6 weeks . He was having a pretty nice under the radar fantasy season .
According to the radio broadcast the other night, Paul Kariya is still likely weeks away with his hip injury.
Tampa Bay's Chris Gratton is still weeks away with his ankle injury and he's been placed on waivers by the team who appears to have misfired on several of their offseason moves .
Toronto's Niklas Hagman is day to day after taking a knee to the head Saturday evening against Washington . He's almost certainly out this evening according to the FAN590 in Toronto and he should be treated as questionable for the week.
Washington's Alex Semin could be back by this weekend ...if you're short of options he's a worthwhile risk as even if he plays the Friday /Saturday contests .
Defensemen;
The Canes Frantisek Kaberle is out this week (2 games) with a lower body injury . He'd missed 19 games with a broken leg before returning and going out again . Tim Gleason and Denis Seidenberg also will be out this week on the Canes blueline.
The Stars Sergei Zubov is out at least one more week with his hip injury .
The Rangers Wade Redden is day to day with a leg injury . It's not believed to be serious but he could miss another game or two this week . The team recalled Corey Potter from it's Hartford affiliate and he made his debut Sunday evening against the Flames .
Pittsburgh's Ryan Whitney is getting closer to a return . It won't be this week, but it could be early to middle of next week .
Toronto's Luke Schenn suffered a knee injury Saturday evening that will see him miss at least the next 2 weeks .He'll undergo an MRI in the next couple of days to further assess the damage.Fellow blueliner Mike Van Ryn is at least one more week from rejoining the Leafs. He's recovering faster than expected from the concussion , wrist, and other injuries.
Washington's Mike Green could also be back Saturday from his shoulder injury . That would give him just one game this week ...I'd be inclined to keep him on your bench just a little longer .