March 27, 2008
Dobber Sports
2008-03-27
Kukla is reporting that Chuck Kobasew is out with a broken leg from that Zdeno Chara shot. He is out from four to eight weeks.
Mats Sundin is reportedly going to be back in the lineup tonight
Brendan Morrison has a torn ACL and is out for the season and playoffs. He is a UFA this summer so he has played his last game as a Canuck.
Roberto Luongo has left the team to be with his wife as she gives birth. As well he should… but why are hockey players on fringe playoff teams trying to get their wife pregnant in July? July should be condom month for hockey players on teams not guaranteed in the playoffs.
Same goes with fantasy players and January – you don't want to miss your draft do you? (haha)
Pittsburgh line combos for tonight's game: Crosby, with Dupuis and Hossa, Malkin with Malone and Sykora
Whispers out of Pittsburgh are saying that Therrien is still unhappy with Whitney's play and that he could be a healthy scratch. He was a left winger last game, while Dupuis was away… but now Dupuis is back.
Kris Beech is back practicing, but will probably not play tonight.
Colorado found a successful scoring line in Stasty, Forsberg and Hejduk last night. The trio combined for nine points.
Jordan Leopold left yesterday's contest with a minor hip injury. Band-Aid Boy. Certified. The extent of the injury is unknown.
Brandon Sutter signed a three-year entry level contract with Carolina and has joined Albany. His upside is only 60 or 65 points in the long term, but he does have a shot at playing for Carolina in the playoffs, given their injury woes up the middle.
Ray Whitney is expected back in about a week.
Justin Williams is expected back in about two to four weeks, despite his hard practices.
Matt Cullen is still not skating.
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If you don't believe me when I say that Pascal Leclaire's impressive numbers this season are the result of the coach and the coach's successfully implemented system, look no further than Fredrik Norrena's 2.70 GAA. He is 28th in that category despite being 39th in SP. The team does not allow offensive opportunities – shots are minimal and from the periphery. If Leclaire wasn't so injury prone, he would be a Top 5 fantasy goaltender because of this. Because he is injury prone, keep your eye on Steve Mason in the fall.
Marc Denis cleared re-entry waivers and will back up Ramo until Smith returns.
Dan Boyle left practice yesterday after getting kicked in the head. He wasn't cut, but his helmet was off and his head was a little sore. I doubt it will keep him out of the lineup.
Scott Gomez will not play tonight, he is still not taking contact and his shooting is limited. He is questionable for Sunday.
Michal Rozsival should be back in the lineup tonight.
Ryan Getzlaf is hoping to return to the lineup tomorrow.
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Nik Antropov is expected back in the lineup tonight for the Leafs
The Flyers announced that Simon Gagne could return to the lineup if the team makes the Stanley Cup Final. Otherwise, he will remain sidelined.
Word out of Ottawa is that center that they just signed – Jesse Winchester – could actually make his NHL debut tonight against Buffalo. He has been a solid producer in college hockey and is 24 years old. I don't see an impact, but keep an eye on his name. His situation is reminding me of Bill Thomas, when Phoenix threw him straight into the lion's den.
The Sabres signed Derek Whitmore, a 23 year old UFA who had 27 goals and 37 points in 38 NCAA games for Bowling Green. It will be tough for him to crack such a deep lineup, but at his age he'll get a long look in the fall.
Pavol Demitra was back in the lineup after missing a game with an undisclosed injury.
Jimmy Howard was returned to Grand Rapids, but Hasek is still not feeling better and Howard may be recalled again tomorrow.
Darren McCarty will make his season debut Friday.
Valtteri Filppula is hoping to play tomorrow and barring a setback, he will.
Ed Jovanovski is sidelined with a calf injury.
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