Monday Injury Analysis Feb. 16
By Ray Calder HockeyObserver.com
Goalies :
Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin is out with a lower body injury according to the Chicago Sun- Times. Cristobal Huet continues to get the bulk of the work with him out and the team did recall Antti Niemi to back up Huet .If you're using anyone this week it should be Huet.
Columbus' Steve Mason is a safe start . He was held out with mono earlier in the month but started back to back games this past week . If the Jackets make the playoffs he'll be reason 1A.
New Jersey's Martin Brodeur is getting very close to being ready and there are multiple published reports which suggest that he could return within 10 days .
The Blues Manny Legace has cleared waivers and is playing in Peoria (AHL) . Chris Mason has taken over in the Blues net so don't look for any meaningful contributions from Legace the rest of this season .
Philadelphia's Antero Niittymaki who had wrestled the #1 job away from Martin Biron earlier this week, is out on a day to day basis with the flu .
Tampa Bay's Mike Smith is dealing with post concussion syndrome according to the team's official website . With the club out of any chance for the playoffs, they will hopefully take their time with him .
Washington's Brent Johnson had hip surgery and is out 6-8 weeks . The team will lean on Jose Theodore to carry them at least through the rest of the regular season . The current backup is Michael Neuvirth .
Forwards:
Boston remains without Michael Ryder (fractured orbital bone) for another couple of weeks . Also Chuck Kobasew is day to day with a leg injury - look at all other options before leaning on him this week .
Buffalo Thomas Vanek will have the wire removed from his fractured jaw one week from Sunday (Feb. 22)according to the Buffalo News . He may be back a little sooner than expected, but for now at least note that he's making a little better than expected progress. Maxim Afinogenov is also improving but remains out this week . Paul Gaustad(shoulder) is out this week and beyond .
Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour returned late this past week after missing a couple of games with a lower body injury . He cannot be relied upon at this point and should be no more than a match up option for you .
Chicago's Patrick Sharp suffered a knee injury Saturday against Dallas and according to the NHL Network , will not be going on the team's 3 game road trip starting Tuesday . Reserve him this week .Also with the Hawks , the team is unhappy with the play of Dustin Byfuglien and he's been made a healthy scratch of late - look elsewhere in the short term for production .
Colorado Paul Stastny (broken forearm) could be back as soon as this coming Friday according to the Denver Post .
Columbus lost Fredrik Modin to a left knee injury suffered against Carolina according to the Columbus Dispatch . He was to have an MRI late on Sunday to determine the extent of the damage and how much time he might miss .
The Kings Oscar Moller is healthy again off his fractured clavicle (World Junior Championship) . According to the team's official website, he has been assigned to Manchester (AHL) on a 2 week conditioning assignment .
New Jersey's Brendan Shanahan is day to day with a bruised ankle/foot after taking a shot off of it Saturday . He did miss Sunday's game against the Sharks, but the injury is not believed to be serious according to the Sunday game telecast .
The Islanders lost perhaps their best trade chip this past week when forward Doug Weight was lost to a leg injury for a period of 4-6 weeks . Don't look for much from him the rest of the fantasy regular season .
Phoenix got Peter Mueller back Saturday night against Calgary . He looks safe to activate . The Coyotes demoted Kyle Turris to the AHL this week more so that he could get regular minutes each game . Look for him to regain a spot on the big club in reasonably short order.
Defensemen :
Columbus Rostislav Klesla is out again indefinitely with a separated shoulder .
Edmonton lost Lubomir Visnovsky for the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery this week . They also have lost Denis Grebeshkov for at least 2 weeks with an ankle injury according to TSN.
New Jersey's Paul Martin is day to day with an upper body injury . He was scratched from Sunday's contest against the Sharks according to the TV broadcast of that game .
The Islanders Mark Streit (shoulder) is questionable for Monday according to Newsday . He's practicing but not sure of readiness for game action .
The Rangers Paul Mara suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday's third period against Philadelphia when he fought Aaron Asham . Something went wrong in Mara's shoulder and the fight was stopped . He left the arena Sunday with the shoulder in a sling according to Newsday . Don't expect him to play this week .Also with the Rangers, Dmtri Kalinin missed his 6th straight game Sunday with his back injury . Hold him out until he plays a few games in a row as back injuries tend to linger .
Pittsburgh's Sergei Gonchar returned Saturday night in the loss at Toronto . Get him back in your lineups this week .Also with the Pens Philippe Boucher has been lost indefinitely with a foot injury that reportedly will require surgery according to the Pittsburgh Post- Gazette.
San Jose's Dan Boyle missed Sunday's game against New Jersey with the flu . He's considered day to day for the moment according to the San Jose Mercury News .