Monday Injury Analysis February 9, 2009
By Ray Calder HockeyObserver.com
Goaltenders:
Boston's Manny Fernandez is healthy enough to at least back up Tim Thomas as his back injury has cleared up according to the Boston Globe . Go ahead and use Fernandez if you normally would and those with Tuukka Rask should be aware he is back in the AHL at least for the short term .
Columbus' Steve Mason (mono) was placed on injured reserve Sunday but that move was made more for procedure to allow the team to keep Dan Lacosta on it's roster . The target date for Mason to play is Friday against the Red Wings according to the Jackets official website .
Montreal's Jaroslav Halak is day to day with the flu reports TSN.
New Jersey's Martin Brodeur is facing live shots and is stepping up his rehab from the torn bicep injury . The team will pull back slightly on the rehab schedule according to Newsday . Still he should be back in the Devils crease by the end of the month barring any setbacks .
Rangers Henrik Lundqvist missed Friday's game against Dallas with the flu . He is expected to be ready to go this evening against New Jersey according to Newsday.
Tampa Bay's Mike Smith (upper body injury) is expected to be available at some point this week according to the Tampa Tribune . The nature of the injury is still in question .
Forwards:
Anaheim's Bobby Ryan has been dealing with some pain in his right knee but should continue to play according to the game broadcast last Wednesday .
Boston's Michael Ryder (broken orbital bone - eye socket) is out indefinitely and was to undergo surgery Monday according to the Boston Globe . Get him on long term injured reserve in your league.Also in Boston Milan Lucic remains day to day with a foot injury .
Buffalo's Thomas Vanek took a puck to the face Saturday against Ottawa and suffered a fractured jaw . He will be lost to the team for 3-4 weeks according to the NHL Network .In Monday's practice Derek Roy was elevated to the top line to take Vanek's spot according to WGR 550 .Also in Buffalo it appears that Paul Gaustad (separated shoulder) will be out at least a couple more weeks with that injury .
Colorado's Milan Hejduk apparently does not have a fractured jaw and may actually play this week after all according to the Denver Post . Hejduk should be considered day to day for the moment and certainly don't rule him out this week as first thought.
Dallas' Fabian Brunnstrom missed Sunday's game with a lower body injury suffered Friday against the Rangers according to the NHL Network . At this time there is no explanation of what the problem is but do keep in mind he missed a lot of time and needed a rehab stint in the AHL following a high ankle sprain earlier this season .
Detroit's Tomas Holmstrom is out indefinitely after hernia surgery . According to the Sporting News he could miss 3-5 weeks .
Florida's David Booth has lost some weight with his recent bout with the flu .He should be back this week but don't expect big productivity right out of the gate .
Minnesota's Marian Gaborik is back skating a week earlier than expected in rehabbing his hip injury according to the CP . He's still not a great bet for the remainder of this year, but at least this should be seen as a positive .
Montrea's Guillame Latendresse is out 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury according to the Montreal Gazette . He should be reserved for you and you'll need to go to your bench for a capable replacement .
Ottawa's Chris Neil (leg laceration) will not make the team's next road trip according to TSN . Don't look for him to suit up until the Sens return home following the 5 game trip .
Philadelphia's Mike Richards is day to day with the flu according to Philly Burbs . With so many players sidelined with the flu over the past 10 days you really need to assess all your lineup options on our schedule advantage page and try to make the best plays based on # of games scheduled for these weeks .
Pittsburgh's Ruslan Fedotenko (broken hand) will no doubt miss this week and probably a little more . According to the Pittsburgh Post- Gazette , he is back at practice but has not set a target date.
Phoenix' Martin Hanzal is out at least 2 weeks with a separated shoulder according to the team's official website . Also in Phoenix Peter Mueller remains sidelined with a concussion .
San Jose's Jeremy Roenick may be back before the team is finished with its current 5 game road trip according to the AP . Roenick has been out with a shoulder injury since mid December .
St Louis Paul Kariya will undergo surgery on his right hip Tuesday Feb. 10 according to the team's official website . He was already out for the season so I guess there's not much of an impact other than the question as to why both hips required surgery .Andy Mcdonald is closing in on a return from his ankle injury according to the team's official website . Watch for him before the week is over .
Vancouver's Kyle Wellwood is day to day with the flu .
Washington's Viktor Kozlov is day to day with a groin injury according to the NHL Network . Expect him to play at some point this week if you need him .
Defense:
The Sabres Andrej Sekera (high ankle sprain) is questionable for his targeted date which was Wednesday evening this week . I would hold him out for this week just to be safe .Also in Buffalo Henrik Tallinder remains out indefinitely with a shoulder injury .
Colorado's Adam Foote remains day to day with a tricep injury according to the Denver Post . It's a good bet he will return at some point this week .
Edmonton's Tom Gilbert is having some issues with back spasms according to the CBC . I would keep him active though as he is trying to play through it and has had some solid efforts of late .Also with the Oilers get Lubomir Visnovsky out of your lineups as he suffered a dislocated shoulder last week and should miss multiple weeks .
Minnesota's Kurtis Foster (broken leg) is back playing in games and made his season debut Sunday in Houston (AHL). This is one of the really nice stories to follow for the second half of the season as Foster suffered one of the most gruesome leg injuries you'll ever see last season against the Sharks . He's on a 14 day rehab assignment and hopefully after that period he'll be able to resume his NHL career with the Wild .
The Islanders Mark Streit (upper body) remains questionable for Tuesday night according to Newsday . He was back at practice late in the week and even took part in the pre-game skate Saturday so I would say it's likely a return is not far off .
The Rangers Paul Mara (flu) is expected to play Monday against New Jersey . Also in New York Dmtri Kalinin (back) needs more practice time and will not play Monday according to the team's official website .
The Sens Alex Picard (wrist) is on track to return Wednesday evening barring any setbacks according to TSN.
Pittsburgh's Sergei Gonchar has been experiencing some shoulder pain and will get it checked out according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Gonchar is nearing a return from shoulder surgery, but is still maybe 1-2 weeks away assuming the minor pain he's feeling is not a major setback .
Toronto's Mike Van Ryn (knee) was to have an MRI Monday on his injured right knee . I would expect he'll miss at least some time making him a bad bet for this week .