Monday Injury Analysis Updated 7:46 Monday 12th Jan.
By Ray Calder HockeyObserver.com
Goaltenders:
Boston's Manny Fernandez is day to day with an undisclosed injury . The team briefly recalled Tuukka Rask Saturday but later returned him to the AHL . Look for Tim Thomas to maybe get an extra start or two in the short term rather than the normal rotation .
Columbus' Pascal Leclaire (ankle) is making progress from his injury but is likely out through the end of January according to the NHL Network .
Montreal's Carey Price is slow to recover from his lower body (knee) injury and should probably be held out this week . There have been published reports suggesting he's close and others suggesting that he may not return until after the All Star Break .
The Islanders Rick Dipietro is having more trouble with his knee and is out for tomorrows game against the Rangers according to Newsday .
Ottawa's Martin Gerber looks as though his days with the Sens may be numbered . The team is looking to deal him and he has gone through waivers already . The club has promoted prospect Brian Elliot and he is set to get some starts this coming week according to the team's official website.
The Flyers Antero Niittymaki is day to day with a groin injury but could play as soon as tomorrow against the Penguins according to the NHL Network .
Tampa's Olaf Kolzig will not dress Monday against the Kings, but could return late in the week according to the Tampa Tribune . I wouldn't be in any hurry to get him back into your roto lineups as he's no better than the backup to Mike Smith at this moment .
The Canucks Roberto Luongo has been taking shots in practice and may return by the end of this week according to the Vancouver Sun . The belief is that the club will keep newly acquired Jason Labarbera as Luongo's backup and offer Curtis Sanford around in trade .
Forwards:
Boston's Marco Sturm will have knee surgery later this week according to the Boston Globe . He'll miss the rest of the regular season, but they hold out hope that he may be able to help in the playoffs.UPDATE : Forward Phil Kessel was placed on IR late Monday with mononucleosis according to TSN . He will be out indefinitely . Get him on your bench for this coming week and no doubt beyond .
Buffalo's Maxim Afinogenov (groin) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from his injury . He may be back in a couple of weeks according to WGR . A few weeks ago a Buffalo News report suggested he might be finished for the season .
Buffalo's Tim Connolly returned Friday and looked very good in 15 plus minutes of action . I'd use him this week if you've been waiting for him .
Columbus Rick Nash went on IR late last week with a lower body injury . He is not expected to miss much time according to TSN but the club needed the roster spot so he was placed on the injury list . In fantasy leagues I'd be holding him out just for this week and check this spot next Monday .Also in Columbus, Raffi Torres should be back late this week from his knee injury according to the team's official website .
Dallas Fabian Brunnstrom (high ankle sprain) is out of his walking boot, but likely needs another week before he's ready to return to game action.Also on the Stars, they got Joel Lundqvist back in their lineup Saturday after he had missed several weeks with a shoulder injury .
Edmonton's Ales Hemsky is on IR with a concussion . I don't think he'll be out long but I would keep him out for roto this coming week .
Florida's Rostislav Olesz (groin) had a setback last week in practice and will be out indefinitely according to the Miami Herald .
The Kings Oscar Moller broke his clavicle while playing for Sweden in the WJC and will be out indefinitely . Don't look for him to return until some time in the middle of February in a best case scenario .
Montreal's Saku Koivu is closing in on a return from his ankle sprain according to the NHL Network . He may be back later in the week . I'm holding him out until next week in leagues where I have him as I want to see him get through a couple of contests with an injury that often takes 6 weeks or more to recover from .
Nashville's Steve Sullivan returned to the NHL Saturday after being out with back troubles since early 2007 . He makes a very good waiver flier if you just lost someone who's normally a 45-60 point producer .Also on the Preds, Jason Arnott is day to day with a lower body injury according to the team's official website . Keep him on your bench for this coming week .
The Islanders Doug Weight is out for 2-4 weeks with a lower leg injury . A huge blow to an already weak Isles offense.
The Rangers Markus Naslund missed practice Monday after tweaking his groin in Saturday's contest according to Newsday . Probably more of a day off than something to worry about at this point.
Philadelphia's Daniel Briere is very close to returning from his groin injury . According to the Philly Inquirer he was hoping to play Saturday but was not quite ready - it does look as though he'll return this week at some point . Also in Philadelphia Claude Giroux (head) is recovering from a concussion but should probably be benched in roto leagues this week .
Pittsburgh's Ruslan Fedotenko is out 4-6 weeks with a broken hand according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The Blues Paul Kariya had hip surgery January 5 and is lost for the season . Andy Mcdonald (ankle) is probably a week or so away from a return .
The Canucks Taylor Pyatt will get an x-ray Monday on his broken foot to ensure it's healing correctly . He feels he's getting close but won't be back this week according to the broadcast Saturday .
The Caps welcomed back both Sergei Fedorov (ankle) and Tomas Fleischmann (pneumonia) on Friday . Feel free to use both guys .
Defensemen:
Carolina's Tim Gleason is traveling with the team and could play Tuesday against Ottawa according to the NHL Network .
The Rangers Michal Rozsival avoided serious injury when he fell into the dasher boards Friday in Buffalo and suffered a facial laceration . He was able to play Saturday evening and should be fine .
Ottawa's Filip Kuba returned Saturday against the Rangers after missing several games with a groin injury .Also on the Sens front, Anton Volchenkov is likely out until after the All Star break with an upper body injury (believed to be a shoulder). Leave him on your bench for the time being .
The Coyotes lost Kurt Sauer to a lower body injury over the weekend . He'll miss the next 4 weeks at least .
The Canucks Sami Salo is close to returning from a rib injury according to the NHL Network . Leave him on your bench this week because he's so injury prone and see how he manages his first contests back .
Washington's Tom Poti went on long term IR late last week with a groin injury . Hold him out this week and likely beyond .