Monday Injury Analysis March 2, 2009
By Ray Calder HockeyObserver.com
Goalies :
Not much information coming out on Buffalo's Ryan Miller . The last word is still that the injury is a high ankle sprain and he's going to miss weeks rather than days . Interesting to see if the Sabres add a veteran goalie Wednesday to support current backup Patrick Lalime .
Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin is likely a bad bet for this coming week . He's been sidelined with a lower body injury and the club has its eyes on what it hopes is a lengthy playoff run and will not rush him .
Florida's Tomas Vokoun is day to day with an ear infection according to the Miami Herald . He should be well enough to play at some point this week .
In case you've been away from the TV for the last few days ....Martin Brodeur is back and you should feel confident using him the rest of the way .
Tampa Bay's Mike Smith (post concussion syndrome) is still likely to be shut down for the season according to Tampa Bay Live . He should not be on your fantasy radar the rest of the way .Karri Ramo will continue to get #1 time as he auditions for a spot in the crease for 2009/10.
Toronto's Vesa Toskala is a safe start . There is some speculation that he'll need surgery on his hip after the season but there is no reason he won't finish out the year just fine .
Forwards:
Boston's Milan Lucic was injured in a fight last Thursday and is day to day with an upper body injury (believed to be a jaw or a slight concussion) according to the Boston Globe . He practiced Monday but in a no contact jersey so don't look for him at least at the start of the week .
Buffalo's Thomas Vanek (jaw) is expected to return Wednesday wearing a face shield to protect the injured area .Also in Buffalo Maxim Afinogenov told the Buffalo News this past week that he's completely healthy but has been sitting as a coaches decision . At this point it appears that barring a trade Afinogenov is someone that cannot be relied upon over the last month or so of the season .
Calgary's Daymond Langkow is close to returning to the lineup after missing time with a bruised hand . There was some thought he'd return last night against the Lightning but did not . The TV broadcast did indicate that he was close to a return - I'd start him this week if I need him .
Carolina's Jussi Jokinen will be away from the team this week following the death of his father according to the NHL Network .
In Colorado Paul Stastny made it back from his forearm this past week . He's a safe start . I'd be less confident in Marek Svatos as he was made a healthy scratch late last week .
The Stars Steve Ott was suspended one game Monday for eye gouging the Ducks Travis Moen according to the teams official website .
Detroit's Marian Hossa is expected back in the Wings lineup Tuesday evening against the Blues according to the Detroit Free Press .
Edmonton's Ethan Moreau took an accidental high stick from Antti Miettinen of the Wild Saturday and certainly suffered some damage to his eye . The Oilers are being tight lipped about the situation but you should know that Moreau is certainly out this week .
Minnesota's Marian Gaborik is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery from hip surgery . It's tough to tell if this is good news or if the team is leaking this in hopes that another team steps up with a strong trade offer for the stars services .
Montreal's Alex Tanguay (shoulder) has not been cleared to return just yet per Saturdays broadcast against the Sharks . I would leave him out of your lineups this week .
Philadelphia's Daniel Briere returned Sunday in the shutout loss against New Jersey . He looks like a safe start for this coming week .
Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby has a groin injury which has him day to day . UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Post Gazette suggests that he should be able to play no later than Thursday but there is also a chance that he can play Tuesday evening .
Toronto's Niklas Hagman has a concussion caused by an elbow to the head from the Islanders Brendan Witt . It's Hagman's second concussion of the season so look for an extended absence .
Vanocuver lost Jannik Hansen for a minimum of 3 weeks with a broken finger according to the NHL Network .
Defensemen:
Buffalo's Jaroslav Spacek suffered an upper body injury Thursday and is day to day .
Calgary's Mark Giordano remains out indefinitely after shoulder surgery . He's probably finished for the season .
Edmonton's Denis Grebeshkov surprisingly was healthy enough to return to the lineup and play nearly 23 minutes Saturday night against the Wild . He had been sidelined for several games with a high ankle sprain but is a safe play now obviously .
Florida's Nick Boynton has been sent home by the team for disciplinary reasons following the game against the Rangers last week . He's a safe bet to be dealt Wednesday but if he's not he may not see the ice again this season .
Minnesota's Kurtis Foster (leg) is getting close to a return after suffering one of the most significant leg injuries seen in years late last season .
New Jersey's Paul Martin returned late last week after missing time with an upper body injury .
The Islanders Brendan Witt was suspended 5 games for an elbow in Toronto's Niklas Hagman . He's not hurt, but he's out for this week and the start of next.
Toronto's Tomas Kaberle (hand) was back Saturday against Ottawa and managed better than 20 minutes of ice . He's probably the highest valued asset the Leafs have to move prior to the trade deadline .