January 23, 2009
Dobber Sports
2009-01-23
Sergei Gonchar is scheduled to return in about seven weeks, however he is so far ahead of schedule that there are rumors that he could be back in four.
The NHLPA has voted unanimously to not reopen the CBA and let it run its course for another two years.
NHL teams are pretty liberal with the players that they list as having an injury when said player is due to appear in the All-Star or Young Stars game. Kris Versteeg (hand) is the latest to likely bow out.
Nikita Filatov (leg) hopes to play in the AHL All-Star game, which is Monday.
The following notable names have been returned to the minors for at least the All-Star break: Drew Miller (ANA), Matt Lashoff (BOS), Martin St. Pierre (BOS), Vladimir Sobotka (BOS), Jonathan Bernier (LA), Kyle Chipchura (MTL), Jack Hillen (NYI), Blake Comeau (NYI), Dustin Jeffrey (PIT), Ty Wishart (TB) and Steve Downie (TB).
Kevin Weekes has won his last two starts and has allowed just two goals in those games (62 shots). Clemmensen is still getting most of the starts, but Weekes is starting to come around.
Since his return, Luongo's numbers are 0-1-1, 3.51, .876. He'll come around, but you may see this for another week or two.
Dan Ellis has lost his last four games and has seen his GAA rise from 2.72 to 2.92 in that span and his SP drop from .907 to .899. Pekka Rinne hasn't been a whole lot better, but his overall numbers are far superior. He has appeared in seven of Nashville's last eight games.
In the AHL, Caps "prospect" Alexandre Giroux has 40 points during his 20-game point streak. That's impressive. He is well into his 20s and is probably a career minor leaguer, but that is a shame – he deserves a real shot.
MTL prospect Ben Maxwell is on an eight-game points streak with 10 points in that span for Hamilton of the AHL. He is ranked 76 on my fantasy prospects list.
Buffalo's Nathan Gerbe continues to show signs of potential stardom. He has nine points in his last six AHL games and 10 in the eight games he has played since being sent back down.
Marek Zidlicky has nine points in his last six games for MIN.
Phoenix rearguard Keith Yandle has four points in his last four games and is starting to see 14-15 minutes of ice time as opposed to 11-13.
Denis Grebeshkov has nine points in his last 11 contests for the Oilers.
At the other end of the spectrum, Dan Girardi is pointless in his last 13 and Matt Hunwick in his last 12. Hunwick's slump coincides with the return of Ference. Girardi, who has one point in his last 24 games, has just lost all confidence.
Martin St. Louis has 19 points in his last 13 games.
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