The IR – Coming Soon
Dobber Sports
2011-12-22
After two reports of bad news, this week we’ll focus on some good news. Let's take a look at players who are coming back very soon to provide some fantasy relief, or have recently made their triumphant return.
Mike Green, Washington Capitals – Groin – Day-to-Day
After seeing a specialist, Green joined the team on the road but still did not play. He participated in full practice on Tuesday but did not play that night. Expect his return any day.
Marc Staal, New York Rangers – Concussion – Day-to-Day
Larry Brooks reports Staal may receive clearance to resume full contact practice with the team in a few days if all goes well. It is conceivable that he may make his return in the Winter Classic. One year after his brother made his return in the Winter Classic. Poetic.
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning – Eye – Day-to-Day
St. Louis has progressed well, and has been able to return to practice wearing a full face shield, and without the red (no contact) jersey as per TBO.com. Guy Boucher does not expect him back before Christmas, saying “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. We want to let him ease into what he feels that he can do and where he is going to go.”
Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabers – Wrist – Day-to-Day
Myers has returned to practice now that he can grip his stick. Myers did some on-ice stick handling drills. Coach Lindy Ruff told Buffalonews.com “We got good news with his last visit [to the doctor],” Ruff said. “He can handle the puck now and hopefully we can progress him along quickly.” As soon as he can pass and shoot, Myers will be back.
Mike Richards, Los Angeles Kings – Concussion – Day-to-Day
Richards is practicing in the red no contact jersey. He says he feels good and hopes to return any day now.
Erik Gustafsson, Philadelphia Flyers – Wrist – Day-to-Day
Tim Panaccio reports Gustafssons return should come just after Christmas as he is now able to shoot and pass in practice, but it is causing some pain. "Shooting and passing, it's still a little sore," said the 23-year-old rookie. "I don't have full motion. That's the stuff we're kind of working on. As I get motion and strength, the pain will go away [then], I'll be 100 percent and ready to go."
Sam Gagner, Edmonton Oilers – Neck – Day-to-Day
With 11 points in his last 13 games, fantasy owners hope he returns soon.
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Welcome back
Brendan Morrow, Dallas Stars
Morrow has played in six games since returning from injury, and in that time he has four goals, and three assists.
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
Boston's captain made his return against Philadelphia and had the Gordie Howe hat-trick, a fight, a goal, and an assist.
Andrew MacDonald, New York Islanders
Has been back for two games and has two points.
Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild
Returned on Tuesday night and made 28 saves off 30 shots, but the Wild lost the game.
Evgeni Nabokov, New York Islanders
Nabokov played 26 minutes coming in for relief of Montoya (who left the game after a collision with Evander Kane, sustaining a – you guessed it – concussion) and stopped all 19 shots, and two shots in the shootout to earn the win. With DiPietro still injured look for the islanders to ride Nabokov in net.
Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers – Concussion – Day-to-Day
Giroux returned in a fashion that only superstars can – a four-point game. He didn’t like sharing. He’s selfish. He wants the scoring title all to himself, so he left the three other players he was tied with in his dust. In one game. The, uh, concussion seems to be gone now.
Set Backs
Tyler Ennis, Buffalo Sabers – Ankle – Indefinite
Ennis re-injured his ankle on Saturday. No update on his timetable.
Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild – Leg – Day-to-Day
Koivu hoped to be back for Tuesday's game with Calgary but soreness in his leg prevented him playing.
Martin Havlat, San Jose Sharks – Leg – Day-to-Day
Mr. Glass injured himself stepping on the ice for a line change. No seriously! Initially thought to only miss two games, Coach Todd McLellan said the injury could be something that keeps the forward off the ice for a longer stretch than initially thought