Fantasy Hockey: Key Injury Updates
There are a lot of key fantasy players around the NHL who are dealing with minor or major injuries. Here is the latest on some of the most important sidelined players.
Craig Anderson – G – Ottawa Senators
After being stretchered off of the ice last Sunday, Anderson missed three games with a sore neck but will start tomorrow versus Philadelphia. He could see a reduced schedule going forward with his backup Robin Lehner playing lights-out right now (3-2-2 / 2.13 GAA / .945 SV%)
Cam Ward – G – Carolina Hurricanes
Ward has been skating in full equipment for the last few days, including Monday. Ward appears to be nearing a return, which is great news for the Hurricanes. If he does not start on Tuesday vs. Colorado his next chance would be Friday against the Ducks.
Pekka Rinne – G – Nashville Predators
The Predators released this following statement on Sunday:
“Pekka Rinne underwent a MRI earlier this week and he continues to progress in his recovery from a bacterial infection in his hip which was initially identified and addressed with arthroscopic hip surgery on October 24. There have been no setbacks – and we and the doctors are thankful they have identified the infection – so now it is simply a matter of time for recovery and allowing treatment to take its course. Pekka will remain on crutches and antibiotics for at least the next couple weeks before a follow-up MRI in late November. We expect a full and complete recovery and will provide additional updates when appropriate”
Rick Nash – LW/RW – New York Rangers
Nash skated before his teammates on Monday, it was the third day in a row he has done so. There is still no timetable for his return but Nash gave us some insight on what he is dealing with.
“Probably about four weeks behind,” Nash said. “This year the symptoms just held on, it seemed like I just couldn’t shake them…It was definitely a lot different than last year.”
Jeff Skinner – C/RW – Carolina Hurricanes
This morning Hurricanes head coach Kirk Muller said that Skinner is still “a couple of weeks away”. Skinner has missed seven games with an upper-body injury and will be out until late November.
Jeff Carter – C/LW/RW – Los Angeles Kings
There has been very little news on Carter’s injury. The only thing we have heard is he is dealing with a foot injury and he was seen wearing a walking boot. Based on the walking boot alone, you would think he will be sidelined for awhile. Continue to monitor his status, as soon as we hear anything we will update you!
Brent Burns – RW/D – San Jose Sharks
Burns was not originally expected to be out longterm, but he has now missed nine games with the mouth injury. He is currently on the Sharks road trip and could play this week.
*** 4:19 pm EST – Burns did not skate on a regular line on Monday, is not expected to dress on Tuesday. ***
Ryan Getzlaf – C – Anaheim Ducks
Getzlaf was a late scratch in Sunday’s contest with an upper-body injury. The injury is not expected to be serious. he is listed as day-to-day . Getzlaf is traveling with Ducks on their current Eastern Conference road trip, so he is expected to play and could be in the lineup on Tuesday vs. Florida. Monitor his status after tomorrow’s morning skate.
Dave Bolland – C – Toronto Maple Leafs
Bolland will be out for a long time. He talked to the media today for the first time since suffering the injury. Bolland said he will be on crutches for a month and has no timetable for his return.