Monday Injury Analysis March 30 , 2009
By Ray Calder HockeyObserver.com
Goaltenders:
Atlanta's Kari Lehtonen (upper body ) was injured Thursday night and did not play over the weekend . The team does not play again until Wednesday and have recalled Dan Turple from Chicago (AHL) to backup Johan Hedberg . If you're a Lehtonen owner you already know the drill - he's not a safe play to hurry back . I'd look elsewhere this week simply because as the week starts we don't know enough about the injury or the teams plans .
Buffalo's Ryan Miller is back from his high ankle sprain and looks very safe to use.He was stellar Saturday night against the Canadiens and the main reason the Sabres secured the extra point in the lengthy shootout.
Dallas Marty Turco is healthy, but the team indicated Monday it may sit him against Phoenix Monday evening in favor of Tobias Stephan according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram .
The Islanders Joey Macdonald was back in the net this past week after missing 5 games with a lower body injury . He's not really fantasy relevant at this late point in the season .
A definite watch list guy for the last 2 weeks of the season is Al Montoya in Phoenix . Montoya was recalled from the AHL last week and the thought is that they'd like to have a late season look at him to see what role he can fill going forward . Keeper leaguers should keep an eye on this situation as Montoya was a very high first round draft pick of the New York Rangers in the 04 NHL Draft and has served a lengthy apprenticeship in the AHL already .
Tampa Bay's Mike Smith has not been cleared to play or ruled out for the season . That said he's still dealing with post concussion syndrome so don't look for him to play again this year despite the fact that the team refuses to just shut him down .
Toronto's Martin Gerber was suspended this past week for contact with an official . He can't return before Friday so look for Curtis Joseph to get more time in the Leafs net . Rookie Justin Pogge is clearly not ready at this point .
Washington recalled Simeon Varlamov on Monday from Hershey (AHL) . No word yet on whether he'll see some starts in favor of starter Jose Theodore .
Forwards:
Atlanta's Jim Slater is a safe play after missing time with a head injury .
Buffalo's Patrick Kaleta (concussion) may be able to play Wednesday after all which might make Maxim Afinogenov a healthy scratch again according to WGR radio in Buffalo . Afinogenov is so deep in coach Lindy Ruff's doghouse there's no way you should rely on him the rest of the way or into the playoffs assuming the Sabres can claw their way in .
Calgary's Todd Bertuzzi returned late this past week after missing time with an ankle injury . He's safe to use . Rene Bourque remains out and a guy you should avoid in the critical part of your fantasy season .
Carolina's Matt Cullen remains sidelined on a day to day basis with a foot injury .
Colorado's Paul Stastny was found to have a fracture in his foot and is sidelined for the rest of the year . He's safe to drop in one year leagues .
The Kings Alex Frolov (lower body) is expected to be out much of if not all of this week . Keep him on your bench .
Minnesota's Mikko Koivu (knee) was back in the lineup Sunday amazingly after it was thought he would miss multiple weeks with a significant injury . He logged better than 19 minutes of ice in the win over the Oilers, and is a safe start this week if you need him .
Montreal's Andrei Kostitsyn (flu) is expected to play Tuesday against Chicago according to TSN .
Nashville's Jason Arnott (concussion) and David Legwand (facial injury) are both very questionable for this coming week . Arnott has now missed 8 contests . Leave both out of your lineups this week .
New Jersey's Patrick Elias should be fine this week . He sat this past Monday with a minor lower body injury but because the team did not play until Friday, there was some thought it was just a rest for one of the team's key offensive contributors.
San Jose's Jonathan Cheechoo (lower body) is nearing a return, practiced Saturday and is questionable for this evening against Calgary . Ryane Clowe (lower body) is not a safe play this week .Patrick Marleau (lower body) is day to day, and did not make the trip for games in Calgary and Edmonton . He's a shaky play this week as well .
Defensemen:
Chicago's Cam Barker missed only one game with a lower body injury last week . He's safe to use and is finishing strongly .
Dallas Mark Fistric is out for the next two games with an upper body injury according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Not a fantasy guy anyway, but he's a top physical defender who makes the Stars netminder's job easier .
Detroit's Brian Rafalski sat out Sundays game against Nashville with a strained hamstring according to the NHL Network . He should be considered day to day for now, but look for the team to be conservative as Jonathan Ericsson can step in and play some minutes to allow the veteran some time to rest up for the playoffs.
Minnesota's Brent Burns (concussion) is looking less and less likely that he'll suit up again at least in the regular season . He is nowhere near ready for game action.
The Rangers Michal Rozsival (knee) is out at least at the start of the week, and the team has recalled Corey Potter from Hartford (AHL) for tonight's game against the Devils . Michael Sauer played two games last week and he's been returned to Hartford for the time being .
San Jose's Rob Blake (hip) is still day to day but far from a decent play this week . He last skated on March 21 and the team did not take him on their trip to Alberta that started last night in Calgary .
Toronto's Tomas Kaberle (hand) is aiming for a return Wednesday against the Flyers according to the Toronto Sun . It's a bit risky to start him this week as he's been close to a return and then pulled back a couple of times already . Evaluate what you need out of the lineup spot before pulling the trigger and getting him back into your starting group .