The latest NHL injury info on Crosby, Bergeron, Price, Murray, Kronwall, Gaborik and others

Injury Ward

The Big Guns (>80% owned in Yahoo Leagues)

Sidney Crosby – Despite skating for nine straight days, Crosby didn’t join the Pens to open their road trip in Montreal. Without him, they’re not doing too hot having just dropped a 4-0 decision to a Carey Price-less Montreal team right after losing to the Avalanche in overtime. He’s likely to return to practice soon and could be back in the Pens lineup before next week’s edition of this column.

Patrice Bergeron – Bergeron missed the Bruins’ first three games with an ankle injury, but is going to practice with the team and maybe even suit up for Thursday’s game against the Devils.

Jack Eichel – Eichel’s lower-body injury is a moderate ankle sprain. These can take up to eight weeks from the time of injury to heal, but there’s a slim chance he beats that timeline pretty handily. Either way, he’s a great young talent looking to make some noise this year, and if his team can just get healthy, he will be productive.

Kyle Okposo – Okposo returned from a lower-body injury to almost immediate chemistry with top-line center Ryan O’Reilly. He scored a goal and added an assist to help the Sabres rout the Oilers 6-2.

Ryan O’Reilly – O’Reilly’s night was twice as good as his linemate’s, posting two goals and two assists, although it was his second game. He has been a risk to miss time with back spasms but so far hasn’t missed a game.

Kris Letang – Letang left Tuesday night’s game in the third period. Given how much the Penguins have been playing him lately, this should be both expected and a significant blow to the Penguins’ chances of winning. The injury was the result of a late hit by Montreal’s Brendan Gallagher. Head Coach Mike Sullivan didn’t offer any insight immediately after the game, but Letang’s in Norris form. For the Penguins, it would be almost as much a shame to lose him as it is to lose Crosby.

Carey Price – Fear not, those of you who took Price early in your drafts. It’s still early in the season, and Price just has the flu (even though it’s seemingly taking forever for him to get over it). He’s resumed skating, so even though he didn’t play Tuesday, expect him back in before long.

Jonathan Quick – Unlike Price, Quick’s injury is actually troubling. It looked like he tweaked something in his groin last week trying to make a save and is now out for up to four months. 

The Second Liners (50%-80% owned in Yahoo Leagues)

Jonathan Huberdeau – Huberdeau will be out until around December with a lacerated Achilles tendon. In the meantime, the Panthers are filling his spot with Jonathan Marchessault, who is apparently a pretty solid fill-in if you’re looking.

Jaden Schwartz – The Blues’ head coach Ken Hitchcock is looking to test Schwartz’s game-ready state and put him back into the lineup as soon as next game. He missed Tuesday night’s game in his recovery from an elbow injury (Ty Rattie filled in for him), but will soon return to game action.

Michael Stone – Lost in Dylan Strome’s debut was Michael Stone’s continued absence. The blueliner is still a few days away from being able to play, according to Head Coach Dave Tippett. The Coyotes got walloped by the Sens without him with a final score of 7-4.

Matt Murray – The Penguins’ Cup-winning goalie (well, their latest one) is going to return to practice soon, a great sign for his recovery from a broken hand.

The Depth Guys (20%-50% owned in Yahoo Leagues)

Bryan Little – There’s no timeline for Little’s recovery from a lower-body injury suffered on opening night.

Evander Kane – The Sabres are just cursed with the injury bug this year. Evander Kane is the latest to succumb to the epidemic after crashing full-speed into the boards at the cost of a couple of ribs. He’s also got no timeline for a return, though it’s probably going to be measured in weeks, not days.

Niklas Kronwall – Kronwall’s injured knee is still keeping him out of the lineup. He’s still continuing to work out off the ice, and Xavier Ouellet is trying to fill his spot while he’s out. Consider Kronwall day-to-day.

The Mr. Irrelevants (<20% owned in Yahoo Leagues)

Marian Gaborik – Gaborik’s still on the Injured Reserve with a foot injury sustained at the World Cup of Hockey. He won’t be back until late November.

Ryan Callahan – Despite a projected return in November, Callahan was cleared for contact last Friday. He’s still not likely to suit up for another week or so, but this is a great sign.

Conor Sheary – Sheary took a nasty stick to the eye (courtesy of Alexander Radulov) and left Tuesday’s game. He is considered day to day for now.

As always, thanks for reading, and follow me on Twitter for more frequent injury updates and general hockey-related tomfoolery! @AjayDaCosta, in case that address bar is too far away.