Tavares is done for the remainder of the regular season. With the Islanders sitting 12 points out of the final playoff spot in the East, it seems very unlikely they will make the playoffs without their captain. Look for Tavares at the start of training camp for the 2014-15 season.
Despite not being able to go to Sochi, the two-week break allowed Filppula's broken ankle to heal to the point where he should only miss one game. He missed the first game before the break, but should be back in the lineup on Thursday.
Hillen, 28, played in two games with the Capitals this season before suffering a right tibial plateau fracture on October 3 against Calgary. Hillen has missed Washington’s last 57 games due to the injury. Hillen recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) and 14 penalty minutes in 23 games with the Capitals last season.
They need him as an insurance policy because backup netminder Anders Lindback hasn’t been cleared to play after sustaining an ankle injury. Gudlevskis would likely serve as Ben Bishop's back-up, but his unreal 55 save performance vs. Team Canada in Sochi, shows he can handle the NHL.
Monday was the first time Koivu participated in all of the team's practice drills since his ankle surgery on Jan. 6; he said the hour-long skate was the longest he's been on the ice since the surgery. Koivu again declined to provide a timeline for his injury, but he said his ankle has improved each day since the Olympic break began. "We've made some progress," coach Mike Yeo said of Koivu. "The goal when I talked to him was let's just keep pushing it and doing what we can in practice and see how far we can come in the next couple of days."
Stuart suffered an upper body injury in the Sharks’ final game before the Olympic break on Feb. 7 against Columbus, and has not practiced the past two days. He skated on his own on Monday morning. Head coach Todd McLellan danced around an inquiry as to whether Stuart’s ailment was short term or long term. “Any type of games missed for us, it feels like long term now, because he’s had the two weeks to heal,” McLellan said. “But, he won’t get through this road trip. After that, we’ll see where he is when we get back.”
Monday was his first practice since getting injured on February 7 vs. Chicago. The Olympic break allowed Morris to miss only game while not skating over a two week span. His return to the ice is a good sign, but there is no word whether or not he will suit up on Thursday.
Lain is not fantasy relevant.
Jaskin has skated in seven games with the Blues this season, he has one goal and one assist in those contests. While in the AHL he has 28 points (14G / 14A) in 39 games. Jaskin was the Blues second round pick (41st overall) in the 2011 NHL draft.
McMillan has 11 goals and 16 assists in 46 games with Portland this season. He has yet to suit up in a game with the Coyotes but has tallied 11 goals and 15 assists in 91 career NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks.
Kesler was injured while blocking a shot by Ilya Kovalchuk on Feb. 15 in Sochi. Kesler was in considerable pain on the bench and briefly left with an ice pack on his hand, but returned in the 3-2 eight-round shootout victory over the Russians. He played in the final three tournament games for Team USA with his right hand bandaged and sporting a splint. The question now is, will he play Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Arena? “He was in this morning and had some work done; we’ll see how he is (Tuesday),” said Canucks coach John Tortorella. “I’m not overly concerned about him missing a couple of days of practice.”
Gelinas, 22, played five games for the Albany (0G / 2A / +3) since he was sent down January 31. He had to sit out four AHL games earlier in the month as he was ineligible to play during the NHL’s Olympic break because he spent too much time on New Jersey’s roster. On the season, Gelinas has six goals and 16 assists (22 points in 44 games with New Jersey.
Moser, 24, has appeared in his first three NHL contests with the Predators this season, recording an assist while averaging 11:06 of ice time. He’s also posted 25 points (8G / 17A) in 42 games with the Admirals during his first North American professional season. The Bern, Switzerland native recently returned from the 2014 Olympics, where he scored the game-winning goal in the Swiss’ 1-0 victory over Latvia, and appeared in all four of the nation’s games.
Kampfer, 25, was recalled for the first time this season by Minnesota. Kampfer has five goals, 14 assists and 35 penalty minutes in 49 games for Iowa this season. He has seven goals and eight assists in 61 NHL games, including two goals and an assist in 13 games for the Wild in 2011-12.
Haula, 22, has two goals and two assists in 15 games so far in his rookie season for Minnesota. He was sent back to Iowa to continue playing during the break, falling shy of the NHL-mandated guideline of playing in 16 of the 20 games before the break which would have left him ineligible to return to Iowa.
Tinordi, who is known more for his physical play on the blueline, has no points in six games with Montreal this season. While with Hamilton he has compiled nine points (3G / 6A) and 70 PIMs in 47 games.
Shore has four goals, one asset and a minus-1 rating in 17 games with the Panthers. He was playing some of his best hockey of the season before the NHL shutdown for the Olympics.
Pearson, 21, has appeared in eight games with the Kings this season, recording one point (his first career NHL goal). Pearson has also played in 41 games with Manchester this season, recording 32 points (17G /15A) and 18 penalty minutes. His 17 goals with the Monarchs are tied for the team lead.
Vey, 22, has appeared in 15 games with the Kings this season, recording five points (all assists) and zero penalty minutes. Vey has also played in 31 games with Manchester this season, recording 35 points (11G / 24A) and 18 penalty minutes.
Toffoli, 21, has appeared in 39 games with the Kings this season, recording 19 points (10G / 9A), eight penalty minutes, and a plus-15 rating. Toffoli has also played in 18 games with Manchester this season, recording 24 points (15G / 9A) and four penalty minutes.
