Will Crawford be back this season? Plus updates on more players.

This week we check in on a few long-term injuries, with a few short-term updates as well. For the latest injury news and new line combinations that affect your fantasy hockey roster, follow @BrennanDeSouza on Twitter!

The Big Guns (>75% owned in Yahoo Leagues)

Corey Crawford – Still no concrete update on the Blackhawks’ goaltender. The most coach Joel Quenneville has revealed is that Crawford will be back at some point this season. The Blackhawks currently hold the second wild card spot in the Western Conference, with Calgary, Minnesota, Colorado and Anaheim nipping at their heels. Considering the team is in the middle of such a tight playoff race, something major must keeping Crawford out of the lineup. He has missed the last seven games with an ‘upper-body injury’ without a timetable for the future. It might be a good idea to follow me on Twitter @BrennanDeSouza to find out more information on Crawford as it becomes available. Anton Forsberg has stopped 57 of the 60 shots he has faced over the team’s last two games, both of which were wins.

Josh Bailey – 50 points in 42 games. That’s more than Connor McDavid! That’s more than Sidney Crosby! Unfortunately, a lower-body injury could keep Bailey out even after the team’s bye week (January 8 to 12). At this point there’s still no concrete timetable, and all we really know is that he’s feeling a little sore and shouldn’t be out long-term. With that being said, Coach Doug Weight also added that news on the injury isn’t horrific, but it’s certainly not good.

Shea Weber – Last week, we looked at how Weber’s absence affects the team, so this week I’ll keep it short and sweet. He’s doubtful until after the All-Star Game (January 28) and is still in a walking boot.

Filip Forsberg – The Predators’ forward will miss four to six weeks with an upper body injury. He was having a great season with 34 points in 37 games, Nashville is going to need their depth to step up in his absence.

Jaden Schwartz – Was spotted walking without any restrictions or noticeable discomfort! We still have a ways to go considering he hasn’t started skating yet, but this is a good sign! We’re about four weeks into the original six-week (minimum) timetable.

The Second Liners (40%-75% owned in Yahoo Leagues)

Jeff Carter – Still no timetable for his return, but he is able to walk without any aid and should be back before the end of the season.

Semyon Varlamov – A muscular injury to the lower-body has the Avalanche goaltender listed as day-to-day. With Colorado in the midst of their bye week (next game January 13), Varlamov should have plenty of time to rest. Backup Jonathan Bernier has gone 3-0 since the injury, allowing a total of four goals in those three games.

Jake Muzzin – The Kings decided to give their defenseman some time to rest, as he had been playing through an undisclosed injury. The bye week comes at a good time for Muzzin, who will be eligible to play in the team’s next game against Anaheim (January 13). He has 23 points in 41 games this season.

Jimmy Howard – Detroit’s goaltender is day-to-day with a lower-body, but should be ready to go after the team’s bye week. The team’s next game is January 13 against the Penguins, which should give Howard a chance to recover from what seems to be a minor issue. Prior to the injury, he had gone six straight games allowing two goals or less.

Chris Kreider – A blood clot is his right arm will keep Kreider out until late February at the very least. Doctors are still selecting the best course of action, and what they decide will determine just how long Kreider is out for.

Nino Niederreiter – A lower body injury will keep the Wild forward out for the next week. With Minnesota’s bye week quickly approaching (January 15 to 19), expect Nino to be back against Tampa on January 20.

The Depth Guys (10%-40% owned in Yahoo Leagues)

Artem Anisimov – Has missed the past six games with an upper-body injury. Coach Joel Quenneville revealed its possible Anisimov doesn’t get back on the ice until after the team’s bye week, which runs from January 15 to 19. In Anisimov’s absence, Nick Schmaltz has moved to center between Patrick Kane and Ryan Hartman.

Roberto Luongo – The Luong wait has an end in sight! Coach Bob Boughner is hoping to have his top goalie back in early February, but will not rush things. While this is the first tangible timeline we’ve received, it’s still subject to change based on Luongo’s progression.

Andrew Ladd – Considering coach Doug Weight didn’t think the injury would have a long-term timeline, Ladd might be available to play on Satuday (January 13) when the Islanders take on the Rangers. 

Chris Kreider – Out indefinitely after rib resection surgery. It should be safe to drop him in most one-year leagues as it will take six weeks for him to be reevaluated.

Bo Horvat – The team is hoping to see him return around the end of January. Horvat had 20 points in 28 games before the injury.

Bobby Ryan – The number of hand injuries Bobby Ryan has suffered this season is starting to rival the number of goals he has scored. You should already know why he won’t be in the lineup Wednesday against the Leafs (it’s a hand injury). We still don’t know how long it will keep him out.

The Mr. Irrelevants (<10% owned in Yahoo Leagues)

Jaromir Jagr – It’s been a weird season for the 45-year-old, as he’s only played 22 games, hopping in and out of the lineup with injuries. According to Elliotte Friedman, it looks like Jagr’s time in Calgary is coming to an end. He did not travel to Minnesota with the team as they began a four-game road trip, and is officially day-to-day with an injury.  

Kevin Hayes – Left Sunday’s game against the Golden Knights after a hit from Nate Schmidt. The bye week should give him a chance to recover from this lower-body injury, but we don’t have any updates on when he’ll be back.