Heatley suffered the groin injury in Sunday's preseason game, but the injury is minor and he should be ready to go for the season opener on October 9th. Heatley, a two-time 50-goal scorer with Ottawa, signed a one-year, $1-million deal with Anaheim. He has contributed two goals and an assist this preseason, primarily playing alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on the first line.
Heatley, 33, had 12 goals and 16 assists (28 points) in 76 games with the Wild last season. The former two-time 50-goal scorer has seen his goal production slip in each season since 2007-08. However, he still possess a heavy shot and his contract is a low-risk move for a team that can surround Heatley with a lot of talent.
Head coach Mike Yeo has been impressed with Heatley in the first round and it has prompted him to move him to the top PP unit. Heatley had one goal and four assists in the only five games he played in the first round.
Heatley was a healthy scratch in the last two games, but will be back tonight with Nino Niederreiter out with an upper-body injury. Heatley is far from his #50in07 performance having recorded just 12 goals and 15 assists (27 points) in 74 games this season. Expect him to skate on the Wild's fourth line.
Heatley will serve as a healthy scratch tonight for what is believed to be the first time in his career. Heatley has not scored a goal in his last 14 games, he has just two assists and a minus-8 rating over that same span. Stephane Veilleux will slide into the lineup for Heater.
Heatley had season ending shoulder surgery. Feel free to drop him.
Heatley is expected to miss most, if not all, of the remaining regular season. Charlie Coyle saw more playing time as a result and he could be a speculative add down the stretch.
The guess is he'll be out at least a week or more. He did make the trip from California with the team for treatment but coach Mike Yeo said the Wild may send him home to see the doc.
The Wild says there is no exact timetable yet, but coach Mike Yeo said Thursday the Wild’s third-leading goal scorer will miss at least the next couple games and General Manager Chuck Fletcher said at least the next couple weeks.
Heatley injured his wrist in a scrum at the end of last night's game. No word on how long he will be out, but he won't play tonight. Good thing the Wild traded for Jason Pominville yesterday. He will replace Heatley in the lineup.
The gritty Desjardins has three goals and 12 points with 31 PIM in 47 games.
Look for the gritty Desjardins to skate on the top line. He has three goals and nine points with 31 PIM over 41 games.
We can only assume that Desjardins needs a practice or two before getting back into a game. The fourth-line center scored three goals and eight points over 40 games this season.
Desjardins won't play tonight but getting back on the ice is a good sign for the fourth line center. He was injured on an illegal hit by Columbus Blue Jackets forward Dane Byers.
Heatley remains on the top line but has two new linemates in Clutterbuck and Koivu. The sniper has 10 goals and 23 points through 36 games.
With both of his linemates injured, Heatley will play with what used to be the second line. Heater has nine goals and 21 points through 32 games which is good for second on the team.
With declining foot speed, Heatley likely looks better as a RW. Regardless, he probably should retain dual-wing eligibility next season due to the switch.
Sounds like Heatley just took a maintenance day yesterday and is OK. Feel free to start him accordingly.
Heater is day-to-day but likely will have a few days to rest his achy groin. Check back for a further update.
With Desjardins out of the lineup, look for the veteran Andrew Murray to move to the fourth line center position.