Monday Injury Analysis Feb. 2
By Ray Calder HockeyObserver.com
Goaltenders :
Bostons Tuukka Rask has been demoted to the AHL as Manny Fernandez is ready to return as Tim Thomas backup . Rask recorded a shutout in his last start against the Rangers .
Columbus Steve Mason has been playing with mono for some time according to the Columbus Dispatch . He will try and continue to play through it apparently so there's no need to pull him from your lineups though he'll probably need more games off than he's been getting of late .
New Jersey's Martin Brodeur has been doing on ice workouts by himself and is most certainly on track for a late February return according to the New York Post .He should be cleared to begin workouts with his teammates within 10 days .
Tampa's Olaf Kolzig is done for the season after surgery on a damaged muscle in his left forearm . He should be able to resume his career next season if he chooses, but there is also a chance he decides to hang em up at season's end .
Tampa's Mike Smith will not be traveling with the team for Tuesday's game the team announced Monday afternoon according to the Tampa Tribune . He is not injured but did have a meltdown after being pulled from the game against the Flyers and the temper tantrum means he won't be with the team for at least the Tuesday contest . Karri Ramo was recalled from the AHL (he was in the midst of serving a 6 game suspension) and he along with Mike Mckenna (signed today) will be the clubs two netminders .
Forwards:
Buffalo's Maxim Afinogenov is still some time away from returning with a groin injury . He suffered a setback around January 21st and has been shut down since .
Peter Forsberg announced Thursday he will not make a return to the NHL this season according to the NHL Network . For those who have been holding him hoping for a late season impact it would appear that his NHL career is likely done .
Colorado's Paul Stastny is back on the ice working out and should be ready to go in a week or two according to the Denver Post . He'll definitely give the Av's offense a boost on his return .
Dallas recalled Fabian Brunnstrom from the AHL Saturday . He currently has the flu and may not be ready to go at the start of the week according to the NHL Network .Until you see him get a game or two in and be a contributor I'd leave him on your bench for fantasy / roto .
Detroit will be without Henrik Zetterberg Monday night with back spasms according to the Detroit Free Press . He will be replaced again by rookie Ville Leino .Tomas Holmstrom will also sit Monday evening after having an MRI Monday afternoon on his sore groin according to the Free Press . I would hold Holmstrom out this week if I had better options in roto .
Florida's David Booth is questionable for Tuesday night with the flu according to the Sun Sentinel . He's been battling the bug for several days and definitely won't be back to full strength if he does play . Kamil Kreps would take his place in the lineup if he can't go .
The Kings Oscar Moller is closing in on a return but it might not be this week according to Saturdays broadcast . He has yet to be cleared for contact (fractured clavicle) so the thinking here is he'll need at least a few practices before a return to game action .
Montreal lost both Guillaume Latendresse and Robert Lang in yesterday's game against Boston . Latendresse is day to day with a shoulder injury according to TSN . He took a check late in the third from the Bruins Chuck Kobasew and I would bet he misses at least part of this coming week . Lang's injury is substantially worse as he will be gone for the season with a sliced achilles tendon in his left heel . This injury not only ends his season, but it will definitely make a return next season a question at his age .
The Coyotes Stephen Reinprecht is out at least 4 weeks and possibly as many as 8 with a separated shoulder suffered this past Thursday according to the Arizona Republic .
The Capitals Chris Clark could be out for the rest of the season with his wrist injury according to Capitals Insider .The injury is a torn tendon sheath in his right wrist . That's a pretty big loss for the Caps if he can't return for the playoffs . UPDATE: TSN says he is going to have surgery for the injury and is lost for the season .
Defensemen:
Buffalo will be without Jaroslav Spacek Monday night against Anaheim after the veteran injured his hip Saturday against the Coyotes. The club recalled Mike Weber from the AHL this afternoon according to WGR 550 .
Detroit's Derek Meech is out on a day to day basis with a groin injury according to the Detroit Free Press . Chris Chelios will again play tonight in his place .Brad Stuart will miss at least another 3 weeks with a compression fracture in his back .
Islanders Chris Campoli returned Thursday and should be safe to have back in your lineup .
The Rangers Dmtri Kalinin is out on a day to day basis with a back injury . Look for the recently acquired Eric Reisz from Minnesota to take his spot at least on Tuesday against Atlanta.
The Flyers returned Luca Sbisa to Lethbridge (WHL) on Monday according to the team's official website . Sbisa played 39 games with the Flyers at 19 years of age but with the blueline getting healthy (Randy Jones, Braydon Coburn) it was decided that he'd be best playing every night and plenty of minutes to aid his development as an NHL defenseman .
Pittsburgh's Sergei Gonchar is no more than 2-3 weeks from a return according to the Pittsburgh Post- Gazette . He has begun on ice workouts but cannot yet take slapshots .
Toronto's Tomas Kaberle broke his right hand Thursday and will miss 4-6 weeks according to the Toronto Sun . He's probably staying in Toronto past the trade deadline with this injury but you need to get him out of your fantasy lineups long term . Anton Stralman was recalled from Toronto (AHL) and will take his place in the lineup .