Colorado Avalanche News

Helm was back at practice for the first time since suffering an oblique injury, but he left the skate midway through, so he seems doubtful to be in the lineup on Thursday vs. Columbus.

Nichushkin, who hasn’t played since November 6th, will be traveling with the team, and is expected to return to the Stars lineup next week. He had no points in four games before getting injured.

Helm has missed the last three games and he will miss a fourth straight tonight when the Red Wings take on the Oilers. Helm has been skating, but not with the team. He is expected to miss the Wings’ two games during the week, but could be back for their back-to-back on the weekend.

MacKinnon’s broken foot likely ends what has been a disappointing sophomore season for the 19-year-old. After a 63 point rookie season, Mackinnon registered just 38 points (14G / 24A) in in 64 games this season. The Avalanche sit nine points out of the playoffs, so this injury all but derails any hope they had for the postseason. Despite an average season, MacKinnon remands as an excellent keeper option.

Wagner was sent down yesterday to make himself eligible for the AHL playoffs if need be. He has been recalled but is expected to serve as a healthy scratch in tonight’s contest.

Drouin was bumped up to the Lightning’s third line with Valtteri Filppula and Cedric Paquette in the morning skate. He will take on an increased role with Connolly out of town, which should lead to more production. Drouin has two goals and 24 assists (26 points) in 53 games.

Helm is expected to miss at least the next three games with an oblique strain. However, Red Wings GM Ken Holland said that Helm’s injury is not serious. He will be replaced by the recently acquired Erik Cole.

Helm was not on the ice for practice on Monday after suffering an upper-body injury on Saturday. Monitor his status leading up to Wednesday.

The oft-injured Helm has played in all 61 games this season, but it looks like he is going to be out for “a bit of time” according to the Red Wings general manager Ken Holland. He will have an MRI tomorrow to determine the nature and severity of the upper-body injury.

Wagner played 10:35 on Friday, the only action he saw during his recall. His return to the AHL makes room for Tomas Fleischmann as well as suggests that Nate Thompson should be back in the lineup tonight.

Helm left after playing just 2:41 before retiring to the dressing room for the rest of the game. He took a few had hits in the first period, so that was likely when he got hurt.

Nichushkin, who had hip surgery on November 18th, visited with his doctor last weekend and was told it would still be 4-6 weeks before he can play in an NHL game. “He’s skating before and after practice,” GM Jim Nill said. “We’ll take it slower and just make sure he’s ready for each step.”

Manson, 23, has one assist in 18 games with the Ducks. While in Norfolk he has collected three goals, six assists (9 points) and 23 PIMS in 23 games. His recall likely means the news on Sami Vatanen is not good.

Nichushkin’s original timetable was four months, which would have had him returning in mid-to-late March. If he returns at the front end of the 3-6 week timetable, the Stars will have him back in the last week of February or first week of March.

Johnson rarely had been participating in practice recently and it was apparent he was was banged up. Monday's announcement filled in the blanks. He will be out until at least the middle of February, but could be out until mid-March.

After missing two games to be with his ailing father, who passed away on Thursday, Parise will be back in the lineup this afternoon vs. the Predators. He will skate on the second line with Erik Haula and Thomas Vanek.

Parise missed Tuesday’s game to be with his ailing father and then missed Thursday’s game after he passed away from lung cancer. Parise said he plans to be in the lineup and said that his dad would have been mad that he missed two games. Parise, who has 30 points (14G / 16A) in 32 games will be a huge boost to the Wild lineup.

Parise was on the ice before practice taking shots, but is expected to be a full participant this afternoon. Parise missed the last two games because of the death of his father; his return to practice today suggests that he should be available for Saturday’s game vs. the Predators.

Parise, who missed Tuesday’s game to be with his ailing father, lost his father to lung cancer this morning. Parise is on non-roster status, so if he wanted to play, someone would need to be sent down in order to make room for him.

Parise missed Tuesday's game to be with his ailing father, who is battling lung cancer. There is no telling how long Parise will be away from the team, but at this point, hockey is the least of his concerns. Monitor his status on Thursday in advance of their meeting with Chicago.