Rick DiPietro failed neurological tests and will be out indefinitely with post concussion symptoms. With this injury, a week is the very minimum, so the absolute best case scenario is a return on April 4, but I would say he is done for the regular season and likely the first couple of games of the playoffs if they get that far. The Isles are toast.
Scott Hartnell skated on Monday, but is still about a week away.
Steve Sullivan also skated on Monday but is still nowhere near to returning. The Preds are being very cautious with him and it is my hunch that we will not see him until the playoffs.
Dustin Penner did get into the game last night after all, playing just over 15 minutes.
Now that Jack Johnson has signed (see yesterday's ramblings), it has come to light that Erik Johnson is about to possibly sign with the Blues and get into the last game or two of the season. Stay tuned for that one.
If Jordan Staal scores one more goal, the Penguins will become the first team in NHL history to boast three 30-goal scorers under the age of 21.
Alexander Semin has four goals, seven assists in past seven games.
The Habs play back to back games this weekend and Carbonneau speculated that Halak will play one game...and Cristobal Huet will play the other. Stay tuned...
As I speculated in yesterday's ramblings, Florida's signing of Colin Murphy is expected to bring in a PP quarterback for next year. Jacques Martin expects him to be on the squad and on the first or second PP unit. Three other NHL teams were interested in his services.
Part of the new CBC deal - LESS Leaf games. Coverage will drop from 28 down to 23 Saturday Leafs games. Gee, who will pick up the slack I wonder? (the answer is LeafsTV on pay-per-view, for those of you who don't get my sarcasm)
Daniel Alfredsson was reunited with Spezza and Heatley on Saturday and will remain on that line for tonight's contest.
Any hopes the Hawks had of signing 2006 top draft pick Jonathan Toews in time for him to play a few games this season evaporated Sunday. Toews' North Dakota team upset Minnesota 3-2 in overtime to qualify for the NCAA's Frozen Four on April 5-7 in St. Louis.
Rostislav Klesla should return to the Columbus lineup tonight. He has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy pools that include PIM's, and has actually helped me in the TMR ICE expert's league.
Jay McKee will be out for the remainder of the season. Just in case you were awaiting his return and needed the PIMs on defense - he's done.
Philippe Boucher will miss tonight's game to attend his father's funeral.
Steve Ott could possibly be in the Dallas lineup tonight, having been activated off the IR.