Hedman suffered the injury while blocking a shot in Saturday's game against Vancouver. The is a tough blow to the Lightning blueline and Hedman fantasy owners. The 23-year-old blueliner had followed up a breakout season with three goals and four assists (seven points) in five games. Don't expect to see him until late November or early December. Jason Garrison will likely see an increased power-play role with Hedman out.
Hedman, who entered Saturday leading all defensemen with seven points, will be evaluated by team medical personnel in Tampa and could miss a significant amount of time. Early speculation is that Hedman suffered a broken hand, which is tough news for a player who was enjoying a hot start. Expect an update later on Sunday.
Kucherov was "sent down" yesterday as a "paper move" to get the Lightning under the cap, but is back with the Lightning today. He is skating on the fourth line with Vladimir Namestnikov and Brett Connolly. He and Namestnikov were sensational during the preseason.
Kucherov was likely sent down as a "paper-move" to help get under the cap before finalizing their 23-man roster. The Lightning did the same thing with Brett Connolly last season so Kucherov should be back with the team soon and in the lineup on Thursday. Kucherov led all players with six goals in the preseason, so expect him to be back.
Paul, 19, was selected in the fourth-round (#101 overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Paul had 26 goals and 20 assists (46 points) in 67 games with the North Bay Battalion (OHL) this season. Paul had a strong postseason as well, posting 18 points (12G / 6A) in 22 games.
McDonagh missed the final five games of the regular season with a shoulder injury, but will suit up in game 1 vs. the Flyers. He had 45 points (14G / 29A) in 77 games this season, so getting him back is huge for the Rangers.
Hedman was injured on Friday but may not miss any time and play this afternoon in Washington. Hedman has one goal and seven assists in his last six games and 55 points (13G / 42A) in 74 games this season.
Hedman only played 1:42 before retiring to the dressing room for the evening. He has been great on the Lightning blueline this season, so if his injury is serious that would really hurt Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs. Consider him day-to-day until we know more.
McDonagh was on the ice for the morning skate, but will not play. He was reportedly taking wristers while the rest of the team were taking slappers which could be a sign that McD's shoulder is not quite there yet. McDonagh will miss his fifth straight game and is not guaranteed to be ready for game 1.
McDonagh will miss his fourth straight game tonight, but could be back for the final game of the Rangers' regular season. The fact that he is skating and may play Saturday, is a great sign for McD's availability for the first-round vs. the Flyers.
McDonagh will miss his fourth straight game tomorrow. Thursday is there second last game of the year, so it looks like McDonagh won't play until the playoffs.
Rangers' head coach Alain Vigneault said he is not sure whether he will play McDonagh at all before the end of the regular season. We may have to wait until the playoffs before we see McDonagh back on the blueshirts' blueline.
McDonagh has missed the last two games after suffering a shoulder injury last Tuesday in Vancouver. He is expected to return for the final couple of games, but there is no word if he will be back in the lineup tonight vs. Carolina.
This comes as no surprise, we likely won't see McDonagh play until the last game or two of the regular season. John Moore will stay in the lineup while McDonagh is out.
This was expected after the Rangers announced that McDonagh is out indefinitely on Wednesday. John Moore will get back into the lineup and pair-up with Dan Girardi. There is still no timetable on McDonagh's return .
The good news is McDonagh did not suffer structural damage — nor either a separation or dislocation to his shoulder.
There are no further details on McDonagh's injury, but as reported earlier, the early diagnosis is that the injury is not serious. Traveling with the team is a good sign that he is only day-to-day.
McDonagh was crunched by Canucks forward Alex Burrows and skated off of the ice in obvious pain. According to reports, the original diagnosis is that the injury "is not serious". Expect a more detailed update in the next 24 hours.
Girgensons has missed the last 11 games after suffered a lower-body injury on March 6th. The 20-year-old has six goals and 14 assists (20 points) in 61 games this season.
