Carried Off the Ice: NHL Injury Report
Aaron
2013-09-19
Training camps are ending soon and pre-season games have started now. Here is the latest news regarding injured players.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Jiri Tlusty was hit hard during a scrimmage and has a head injury. Chip Alexander tweeted on Friday that "Tlusty out another couple of days, Muller said. Was woozy after hit by Woods in Friday scrimmage."
Aaron Portzline blogged on Monday that Dalton Prout has "been cleared for non-contact practice. Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen said Prout was expected out 4-6 weeks and it's been four weeks."
Portzline also blogged on Monday that Matt Calvert is dealing with a groin injury. "Calvert was scratched from Sunday's exhibition opener with a strained groin and did not skate this morning. He's day-to-day."
Johan Franzen is dealing with a sore hip flexor that forced him to miss the first exhibition game. The Detroit Free Press reported "it's doubtful that Franzen would play any earlier than the weekend, and that's probably an outside chance."
Florida Panthers captain Ed Jovanovski says he is feeling good after major hip surgery but is not sure when he will be able to return. The Sun Sentinel reported "Jovanovski said the next step is taking and giving hits on the ice, and he hopes to test the hip in some sort of game action in about a week."
George Richards tweeted on Thursday "Florida Panthers Kevin Dineen say Nick Bjugstad following NHL concussion protocol after Game 3 of rookie tournament."
Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel reported Dineen "was excited about the amazing progress made by Kris Versteeg's ACL surgery and is optimistic he'll be ready for Oct. 3." Versteeg missed most of last season and will be forgotten by many poolies. H he could fall in your draft, giving you a potentially great steal.
Nathan Beaulieu suffered a shoulder injury on Thursday, however he "did skate with the Montreal Canadiens scratches on Sunday, so his shoulder injury doesn't seem serious" according to Dan Kramer's tweet.
Brian Gionta (bicep surgery) and George Parros (rotator cuff surgery) "are skating with the team but not scrimmaging yet" as reported by Pat Hickey of the Gazette.
The Fire and Ice blogged that Jaromir Jagr "has not practiced since leaving after only 10 minutes of his first training camp practice on Thursday because of what the team is calling lower-body soreness." This is fairly common with older players so don't worry yet.
Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin are testing well at training camp but are still not cleared for contact. Blue Shirts United reported "Callahan told reporters on Saturday that he's had no problems with his surgically-repaired shoulder so far and admitted that there is a slim chance he will be ready for opening night."
Philadelphia Flyers website reported that Claude Giroux was firing shots on Friday. "He is getting antsy, but concerned about rushing rehab. He is taking things day-by-day but no timetable yet."
Post-Concussion syndrome issues will keep Marc-Andre Bourdon and Chris Pronger on long-term injury reserve. Tim Panaccio of CSN Philadelphia reported that Pronger would work as a scout this year.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without tough guys Frazer McLaren and Colton Orr for the time being. Jonas Siegel tweeted on Tuesday "McLaren has a fractured pinky finger. Will miss minimum of two weeks." Orr is dealing with a leg bone bruise and will be off the ice for a week.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Francois Beauchemin is training very hard to be ready for the start of the regular season. Eric Stephens tweeted on Thursday that its "obvious how bad Beauchemin wants to be ready for Ducks opener. Skated in two of three sessions today. ACL surgery was May 16."
Jonathan Toews sat out scrimmage on Monday with a minor lower-body injury. Tracey Myers reported for CSN Chicago that "the Blackhawks captain was just held out for precautionary reasons."
Brandon Pirri sat out scrimmage on Sunday with an undisclosed injury. Mark Lazerus tweeted "Brandon Pirri held out with an undisclosed injury. Quenneville equated it to Toews' situation. Not serious."
Neither Michal Handzus or Michal Rozsival are cleared for contact, however Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville was quoted on CSN Chicago saying that "both will be ready to start the season."
Ryan Wilson missed most of last season with an ankle injury and suffered a knee injury on Sunday. The Denver Post quoted Colorado Avalanche's head coach Patrick Roy "the team is optimistic he'll only miss a couple of weeks. So, maybe he'll have a shot at making the opening-night lineup against Anaheim."
Rich Peverley might miss the season opener as he is dealing with an irregular heartbeat. Mike Heika of the Dallas News blogged "Peverley skated with his teammates Tuesday for the first time since he found about the problem. He can skate, but can't have contact."
Heika tweeted on Thursday that Aaron Rome's "hip won't be ready until almost start of season."
After missing the entire season Willie Mitchell is ready to hit the ice again. Lisa Dillman of the LA Times reported "Mitchell has willed himself back into the conversation through a combination of rest, rehabilitation and some good fortune." Mitchell can't stop smiling since the scrimmage on Saturday.
Joshua Copper tweeted on Sunday that Matt Hendricks "suffered a lower body injury. Tortz didn't sound concerned …"
Dave Vest tweeted on Tuesday "Dave Tippets says d-man Rostislav Klesla is at home resting comfortably after being carried off the ice on the stretcher last night vs. Kings."
Brad Stuart has not participated in training camp with an undisclosed injury. The Mercury News reported Stuart "called the problem nothing serious or anything that's going to keep me from getting ready to be in the first game."