Checking in with the injury report for Week Eight.

I am writing this NHL injury column on the eve of yet another knee surgery; this will be my second knee surgery in the last six months. So as I look forward to another six months of rehab here are the latest tweets with injury updates:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Adam McQuaid (lower body) did not travel with the Boston Bruins on their current road trip and continues to rehab his injury.

Ron Hainsey (flu) was kept off the ice as he is dealing with the flu.

Alexander Semin (concussion) is out indefinitely with a concussion, this appears to be his first.

Jeff Skinner (upper body) was back at practice on Thursday wearing the non-contact yellow jersey. Skinner could return this Thursday.

Marian Gaborik (knee) is out at least four weeks with a sprained knee. Gaborik tweeted "I'll come back better and strong than ever!"

Nathan Horton (shoulder) was back practicing with the Columbus Blue Jacket's the last two days; not ready yet but getting closer to a return.

Stephen Weiss (groin) practiced on Monday and is targeting a return this Thursday.

Daniel Alfredsson (groin) is skating on his own and did not play against the Nashville Predators Tuesday night.

Danny DeKeyser (shoulder) left Tuesday game against the Predators with a possible separated shoulder.

Scott Gomez (groin) is questionable with a strained groin.

Rene Bourque (lower body) is not playing against the Minnesota Wild Tuesday night.

Anton Volchenkov (leg) was placed on the IR retroactive to November 12.

Evgeni Nabokov (groin) has been placed on IR retroactive to November 16.

Thomas Vanek (upper body) will miss his fifth game Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Taylor Pyatt (concussion) is improving but is still considered out indefinitely as he recovers from his third concussion. He did partake in the morning skate on Tuesday.

Phil Kessel (flu) played despite having the flu and scored two goals.

Steven Stamkos (leg) is wearing a removable cast enabling him to start an aggressive rehab.

Mike Green (lower body) is pain free and returned to practice on Tuesday but is questionable for Wednesday game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Saku Koivu (head) was a game time decision against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday and with the Anaheim Ducks sending Rickard Rakell back to the AHL that shows Koivu is very close.

Jakob Silfverberg (hand) broke his hand on October 25 and this type of injury takes 4-6 weeks to heal. It will be four weeks on Friday and six weeks on December 6. So he could be ready soon.

Curtis Glencross (knee) is using a walking brace now and has said he could be back in two and half weeks.

Nikolai Khabibulin (lower body) was placed on long-term IR on Sunday; he is out at least 10 games.

Marian Hossa (lower body) participated in morning skate but didn't play Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche; he could play against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Michal Handzus (upper body) was placed on IR, retroactive to October 25.

Matt Duchene (abdomen) may only miss two games and might return to the Avs line-up sooner than expected; he could possibly return Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings.

Alex Tanguay (knee) has been placed on IR, retroactively to November 2.

Ray Whitney (lower body) practiced on Tuesday and his status is up in the air for Thursday.

Kyle Clifford (head) is back skating, he is making progress after missing the Kings four-game road trip.

Jonathan Quick (groin) has a strained groin and could be out up to six weeks, according to Kings head coach Darryl Sutter.

Jeff Carter (foot) joined his teammates at the end of the workout on Tuesday; he could be out for three more weeks though.

Niklas Backstrom (concussion) is day-to-day with a concussion; this appears to be his first.

Keith Ballard (upper body) was placed on IR on November 12.

Filip Forsberg (upper body) is day-to-day with an upper body injury.

Eric Nystrom (upper body) took a beating by Tanner Glass on Friday and hasn't played since.

David Schlemko (lower body) appears to be fine and should play Thursday.

Zbynek Michalek (lower body) remains out and his status for Thursday is uncertain.

Brent Burns (undisclosed) could return to the San Jose Sharks line-up on Thursday.

Chris Stewart (flu) played even though he had the flu and recorded two assists.

Patrik Berglund (upper body) missed his second game Tuesday night with an upper body injury.

Zach Bogosian (groin) is now listed week-to-week with a groin injury.

Jacob Trouba (neck) skated on Sunday morning and made the trip with the Jets to Minnesota, so he is getting close.