Monday Injury Analysis Jan. 19, 2009
By Ray Calder HockeyObserver.com
Goalies :
The Kings Erik Ersberg has a groin injury suffered Saturday and the club has recalled Jonathan Bernier on an emergency basis . Put Ersberg on your bench this week .
Montreal's Carey Price will be in uniform tomorrow night (Tuesday) when the Canadiens travel to Atlanta according to the Montreal Gazette . No word on whether Price will start but his ankle has healed and the club has demoted Marc Denis to the AHL to make room for the return of their #1 netminder .
You should not be depending on the Isles Rick Dipietro again this season . There are problems with his groin and hip, and it's likely the team will shut him down for the season and get everything fixed so that he's got a better chance to be healthy for more of the duration of the absurd contract the organization gave him a couple of seasons ago .
Vancouver got Roberto Luongo back this past week and he should be fine to go with from here on out .He's likely to be a bit rusty for the first half dozen or so starts he makes after being out so long .
Forwards:
Buffalo's Maxim Afinogenov has skated 3 straight days as of Sunday per WGR 550 . He could be back right after the All Star Break though what his role will be is unclear at this point.
Calgary's Todd Beruzzi is out on a day to day basis with a hip flexor injury according to TSN . He also has been dealing with a groin injury so he's not a good guy to rely on at the moment .
The Blue Jackets got Rick Nash back this past weekend and he responded with 3 points Sunday . Start him with confidence this week .
Dallas Fabian Brunnstrom will be out this week according to the NHL Network . He is skating but the recovery from his ankle injury is slow .
Edmonton's Ales Hemsky returned Sunday from his concussion and should be a safe play this coming week .Also for the Oilers Robert Nilsson has gone on IR with a concussion and is out indefinitely .
Florida's Rostislav Olesz (groin) will see a specialist Tuesday according to the team's official website . They need to determine whether he is healing and what the next plan of attack is to help get the talented forward back on the ice . Keep him reserved for a while as no return date is in place.
Montreal's Saku Koivu (ankle) had a setback while skating last week and is out this week and possibly beyond according to the Montreal Gazette .
New Jersey will get newly signed Brendan Shanahan in their lineup this week . It's probably a good bet that Michael Rupp will be the odd man out until injuries hit the forward corps. Petr Vrana who was playing in the AHL at the time broke his leg and is likely done for the season . Vrana is a decent prospect who will lose some key development time with this setback .
Ottawa's Jason Spezza had some back stiffness and left practice early Monday according to TSN . He is expected to play on Tuesday despite the minor problem .
Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby missed only one game with a knee injury suffered Tuesday . He's a safe play this week .The worse news with the Penguins is that Mike Zigomanis is out for the season after having shoulder surgery this past week .
The Blues Keith Tkachuk is questionable for Monday's game with a head injury . The team is saying he did not suffer a concussion last week but he's missed a couple of games and is no sure thing this week either .
Tampa Bay's Evgeny Artukhin is out with a knee injury after a collision Saturday night against Florida according to the Tampa Tribune . Artukhin is a dirty player and may be looking at some NHL discipline after he gets healthy . For fantasy don't look for any contribution from him this week .
Vancouver's Pavol Demitra has a groin injury and is almost certain to miss some games . Get him on your bench this week .
Defensemen :
Buffalo's Teppo Numminen has a broken bone in his jaw according to WGR 550 . He has had surgery and will miss several weeks . Also in Buffalo Andrej Sekera is out multiple weeks with an ankle injury . Rookie Chris Butler who has been very good in the NHL should assume a larger role .
Chicago's Duncan Keith is out tonight against Minnesota and may miss the week after it appears he suffered a concussion last week when he collided with the Sabres Drew Stafford . Get him on your bench for this week .
Colorado's Adam Foote (triceps) is not expected back until after the All Star Break according to the team's official website . Hold him out another week at least .
The Kings got Jack Johnson back in their lineup Saturday evening . Also in LA , super rookie Drew Doughty suffered a thigh contusion last week and is out on a day to day basis . I would probably err on the side of caution and bench him this week.
The Islanders Chris Campoli suffered a groin injury Saturday evening and is day to day .
Ottawa's Anton Volchenkov (shoulder) is expected back this week according to the Ottawa Sun .
The Blues Roman Polak broke a bone in his foot Saturday and is out indefinitely according to the NHL Network .Also on the Blues Erik Johnson (knee) is holding out hope that he may be ready for the playoffs if the Blues make it according to comments on the broadcast Thursday .
Tampa Bay's Paul Ranger is day to day with an upper body injury . Don't look for him to play this week and he should be on your bench in roto/fantasy as well .
Toronto's Mike Van Ryn may be back as soon as this Wednesday from his concussion according to the Toronto Star .
Vancouver's Sami Salo is expected to return Tuesday from his rib injury according to the Vancouver Province . My advice would be unless you have no other options to hold him out this week.