Wednesday, January 22
Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim Mighty Ducks - Giguere will be the starter for Wednesday's game against the Kings, reports the LA Times.
Ron Tugnutt, Dallas Stars - Tugnutt will be the starter for Wednesday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, reports the Dallas Morning News.
Patrick Lalime, Ottawa Senators - Lalime will be the starter for Wednesday's game against the Panthers, coach Jacques Martin announced on Tuesday.
Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals - Kolzig will be the starter for Wednesday's game against the Hurricanes, reports the Washington Post. In fact, coach Bruce Cassidy expects Kolzig to start the remainder of games for the Caps until the All-Star break.
Arturs Irbe, Carolina Hurricanes - Irbe is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Capitals.
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils - Brodeur is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Sharks.
Tommy Salo, Edmonton Oilers - Salo is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Red Wings.
Curtis Joseph, Detroit Red Wings - Joseph is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Oilers.
Marc Denis, Columbus Blue Jackets - Denis is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Stars.
Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks - Nabokov is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Devils.
Nikolai Khabibulin, Tampa Bay Lightning - Khabibulin is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Canadiens.
Jose Theodore, Montreal Canadiens - Theodore is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Lightning.
Zac Bierk, Phoenix Coyotes - Even though second string goalie Brian Boucher is back, Bierk will make two of three starts this weekend for the Coyotes. He will start in games against the Flames and Canucks, with Boucher getting the nod against the Oilers. As we said yesterday, once Sean Burke is healthy, the goaltending situation in Phoenix will get very interesting.
Chris Osgood, New York Islanders - Osgood departed Tuesday's game against the Rangers with a high ankle sprain after being run over by Bobby Holik. There is no word on how long Osgood will be out for but the wording of the injury is not encouraging as fellow goalies Brent Johnson and Sean Burke took several weeks, if not months, to recover from similar injuries. Expect Rick DiPietro to be recalled if Osgood is out for more than two games.
Marty Turco, Dallas Stars - As we guessed yesterday, the NHL has decided to suspend Turco for one game for his stickwork on Peter Forsberg during Monday's game. He will sit out Wednesday's game against the Blue Jackets but will be back for the next game. This doesn't really have any fantasy significance as Ron Tugnutt was the scheduled starter from the beginning. Corey Hirsch has been recalled and will serve as the backup.
Trevor Kidd, Toronto Maple Leafs - Kidd will undergo an ultrasound in the next day or two to determine the extent of his groin injury. If a tear is revealed, he will probably miss at least a few more games in which case Mikael Tellqvist will remain with the Leafs to backup an almost-healthy Ed Belfour.
Byron Dafoe, Atlanta Thrashers - Dafoe practiced on Tuesday and told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that it was the first time since he got hurt that he has been pain-free. He added that he's hoping to return before next week.
player info
Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche - The Denver Post is reporting that Sakic could miss the Avs' upcoming game on Thursday withh a bruised foot. He suffered the injury after taking a shot off the foot on Monday but later returned to finish the game. The next day at the Avs' practice facility in Denver, he was seen with crutches in his hands, though he did not need them to walk. Coach Tony Granato feels as if Sakic only has a bruise and hopes that he will be back on the ice Wednesday but as we found out earlier this year, foot/ankle injuries can be very bothersome. We will try and update Sakic's status tomorrow.
Chris Pronger, St. Louis Blues - Pronger's rehab from wrist and knee surgeries continues more or less as planned. His wrist is progressing very well according to team officials, but the rehab on his knee continues to be delayed. There is no timetable for his return, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has re-iterated that Pronger won't be back until April at the earliest and perhaps not until next season. Because of this, he has no fantasy value at the moment and the only reason he should be on your roster is if you have the luxury of storing him on your IR slot.
Alexei Kovalev, Pittsburgh Penguins - The Dallas Stars have reportedly taken themselves out of the Kovalev sweepstakes with owner Tom Hicks stating that there is simply no room in the budget for a player of Kovalev's magnitude. Take that for what it's worth.
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings - Lidstrom received a welt on his throat courtesy of an accidental Sean Avery stick. However, the durable Lidstrom said after the incident that he intends to play on Wednesday against the Oilers.
Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings - Chelios sat out practice on Tuesday due to a charley horse, but coach Dave Lewis stated afterwards that he expects the veteran defenseman to play against the Oilers.
Kimmo Timonen, Nashville Predators - Timonen told the Nashville Tennessean that he is hoping to play on Thursday against the Rangers. He has missed the past seven games with a blood clot in his lower left calf and said that even though the clot is still there, it is a lot better and is responding to treatment.
Andreas Johansson, Nashville Predators - Johansson missed the Tuesday's game against the Canucks with the flu. He is listed as day-to-day.
Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina Hurricanes - Brind'Amour may be sidelined for the rest of the regular season and a minimum of two weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. The exact prognosis won't be known until later today when Brind'Amour undergoes exploratory surgery. He has reportedly considered playing through the injury but was warned that by doing so, he would risk extensive damage to not only the tendon in question but adjacent ones as well.
Jamie Langenbrunner, New Jersey Devils - Coach Pat Burns told the New Jersey Star-Ledger that he expects Langenbrunner in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Ducks. He has experienced no physical problems stemming from the minor concussion he suffered on Saturday.
Oleg Tverdovsky, New Jersey Devils - Tverdovsky continues to undergo more tests to determine his recent fatigue and dizziness problems. He did not make the trip to Anaheim and won't play Tuesday and quite possibly until next week at the earliest.
Martin Havlat, Ottawa Senators - Havlat has been diagnosed with a bruised right arm and will be a gametime decision to play on Wednesday. We may possibly have a late update on him so check back later to see.
Vaclav Prospal, Tampa Bay Lightning - Prospal has been suspended for two games by the NHL for his cross check on the Senators' Chris Neil. He will miss the next two Lightning games, but should be ready to go on Sunday.
Dainus Zubrus, Washington Capitals - Zubrus practiced for the first time since suffering a concussion last week but has not been cleared for contract drills. However, he is aiming to return for Saturday's game against Canadiens, which is probably a best case scenario.
Sergei Gonchar, Washington Capitals - Gonchar was held out of practice Tuesday because he felt sore but the Caps expect him to dress for Wednesday's game against the Hurricanes.
Brian Smolinski, Los Angeles Kings - Smolinksi is expected back in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Ducks. He has missed the previous 11 games with an injury to his eye.
Radek Dvorak, New York Rangers - Dvorak was held out of the third period for precautionary reasons after taking an elbow to the head in the second period of Tuesday's game. There was no official word on whether Dvorak suffered a concussion but he will be evaluated today.
Jochen Hecht, Buffalo Sabres - Coach Lindy Ruff announced on Tuesday evening that Hecht has been cleared to engage in full-contract practice and if all goes as planned, could return later in the week. Hecht has been out with a concussion injury.
Maxim Afinogenov, Buffalo Sabres - Like Hecht, Afinogenov has also been cleared to participate in full-contract practice. If he doesn't suffer any setbacks, he could be in the lineup as early as the weekend.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim Mighty Ducks - Giguere will be the starter for Wednesday's game against the Kings, reports the LA Times.
Ron Tugnutt, Dallas Stars - Tugnutt will be the starter for Wednesday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, reports the Dallas Morning News.
Patrick Lalime, Ottawa Senators - Lalime will be the starter for Wednesday's game against the Panthers, coach Jacques Martin announced on Tuesday.
Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals - Kolzig will be the starter for Wednesday's game against the Hurricanes, reports the Washington Post. In fact, coach Bruce Cassidy expects Kolzig to start the remainder of games for the Caps until the All-Star break.
Arturs Irbe, Carolina Hurricanes - Irbe is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Capitals.
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils - Brodeur is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Sharks.
Tommy Salo, Edmonton Oilers - Salo is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Red Wings.
Curtis Joseph, Detroit Red Wings - Joseph is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Oilers.
Marc Denis, Columbus Blue Jackets - Denis is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Stars.
Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks - Nabokov is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Devils.
Nikolai Khabibulin, Tampa Bay Lightning - Khabibulin is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Canadiens.
Jose Theodore, Montreal Canadiens - Theodore is the probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Lightning.
Zac Bierk, Phoenix Coyotes - Even though second string goalie Brian Boucher is back, Bierk will make two of three starts this weekend for the Coyotes. He will start in games against the Flames and Canucks, with Boucher getting the nod against the Oilers. As we said yesterday, once Sean Burke is healthy, the goaltending situation in Phoenix will get very interesting.
Chris Osgood, New York Islanders - Osgood departed Tuesday's game against the Rangers with a high ankle sprain after being run over by Bobby Holik. There is no word on how long Osgood will be out for but the wording of the injury is not encouraging as fellow goalies Brent Johnson and Sean Burke took several weeks, if not months, to recover from similar injuries. Expect Rick DiPietro to be recalled if Osgood is out for more than two games.
Marty Turco, Dallas Stars - As we guessed yesterday, the NHL has decided to suspend Turco for one game for his stickwork on Peter Forsberg during Monday's game. He will sit out Wednesday's game against the Blue Jackets but will be back for the next game. This doesn't really have any fantasy significance as Ron Tugnutt was the scheduled starter from the beginning. Corey Hirsch has been recalled and will serve as the backup.
Trevor Kidd, Toronto Maple Leafs - Kidd will undergo an ultrasound in the next day or two to determine the extent of his groin injury. If a tear is revealed, he will probably miss at least a few more games in which case Mikael Tellqvist will remain with the Leafs to backup an almost-healthy Ed Belfour.
Byron Dafoe, Atlanta Thrashers - Dafoe practiced on Tuesday and told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that it was the first time since he got hurt that he has been pain-free. He added that he's hoping to return before next week.
player info
Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche - The Denver Post is reporting that Sakic could miss the Avs' upcoming game on Thursday withh a bruised foot. He suffered the injury after taking a shot off the foot on Monday but later returned to finish the game. The next day at the Avs' practice facility in Denver, he was seen with crutches in his hands, though he did not need them to walk. Coach Tony Granato feels as if Sakic only has a bruise and hopes that he will be back on the ice Wednesday but as we found out earlier this year, foot/ankle injuries can be very bothersome. We will try and update Sakic's status tomorrow.
Chris Pronger, St. Louis Blues - Pronger's rehab from wrist and knee surgeries continues more or less as planned. His wrist is progressing very well according to team officials, but the rehab on his knee continues to be delayed. There is no timetable for his return, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has re-iterated that Pronger won't be back until April at the earliest and perhaps not until next season. Because of this, he has no fantasy value at the moment and the only reason he should be on your roster is if you have the luxury of storing him on your IR slot.
Alexei Kovalev, Pittsburgh Penguins - The Dallas Stars have reportedly taken themselves out of the Kovalev sweepstakes with owner Tom Hicks stating that there is simply no room in the budget for a player of Kovalev's magnitude. Take that for what it's worth.
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings - Lidstrom received a welt on his throat courtesy of an accidental Sean Avery stick. However, the durable Lidstrom said after the incident that he intends to play on Wednesday against the Oilers.
Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings - Chelios sat out practice on Tuesday due to a charley horse, but coach Dave Lewis stated afterwards that he expects the veteran defenseman to play against the Oilers.
Kimmo Timonen, Nashville Predators - Timonen told the Nashville Tennessean that he is hoping to play on Thursday against the Rangers. He has missed the past seven games with a blood clot in his lower left calf and said that even though the clot is still there, it is a lot better and is responding to treatment.
Andreas Johansson, Nashville Predators - Johansson missed the Tuesday's game against the Canucks with the flu. He is listed as day-to-day.
Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina Hurricanes - Brind'Amour may be sidelined for the rest of the regular season and a minimum of two weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. The exact prognosis won't be known until later today when Brind'Amour undergoes exploratory surgery. He has reportedly considered playing through the injury but was warned that by doing so, he would risk extensive damage to not only the tendon in question but adjacent ones as well.
Jamie Langenbrunner, New Jersey Devils - Coach Pat Burns told the New Jersey Star-Ledger that he expects Langenbrunner in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Ducks. He has experienced no physical problems stemming from the minor concussion he suffered on Saturday.
Oleg Tverdovsky, New Jersey Devils - Tverdovsky continues to undergo more tests to determine his recent fatigue and dizziness problems. He did not make the trip to Anaheim and won't play Tuesday and quite possibly until next week at the earliest.
Martin Havlat, Ottawa Senators - Havlat has been diagnosed with a bruised right arm and will be a gametime decision to play on Wednesday. We may possibly have a late update on him so check back later to see.
Vaclav Prospal, Tampa Bay Lightning - Prospal has been suspended for two games by the NHL for his cross check on the Senators' Chris Neil. He will miss the next two Lightning games, but should be ready to go on Sunday.
Dainus Zubrus, Washington Capitals - Zubrus practiced for the first time since suffering a concussion last week but has not been cleared for contract drills. However, he is aiming to return for Saturday's game against Canadiens, which is probably a best case scenario.
Sergei Gonchar, Washington Capitals - Gonchar was held out of practice Tuesday because he felt sore but the Caps expect him to dress for Wednesday's game against the Hurricanes.
Brian Smolinski, Los Angeles Kings - Smolinksi is expected back in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Ducks. He has missed the previous 11 games with an injury to his eye.
Radek Dvorak, New York Rangers - Dvorak was held out of the third period for precautionary reasons after taking an elbow to the head in the second period of Tuesday's game. There was no official word on whether Dvorak suffered a concussion but he will be evaluated today.
Jochen Hecht, Buffalo Sabres - Coach Lindy Ruff announced on Tuesday evening that Hecht has been cleared to engage in full-contract practice and if all goes as planned, could return later in the week. Hecht has been out with a concussion injury.
Maxim Afinogenov, Buffalo Sabres - Like Hecht, Afinogenov has also been cleared to participate in full-contract practice. If he doesn't suffer any setbacks, he could be in the lineup as early as the weekend.
