NHL Player News

Saturday, November 7

• 11/07/09 - 3:28PM ETMike Green : Out for Saturday With Upper Body Injury

  Green (upper body injury) is out for Saturday's game against Florida, according to the Washington Examiner.

  He was hurt Friday. It's not considered anything too serious at this stage and Green does have some time to heal up because the Caps are off until Wednesday. Coach Bruce Boudreau said Green would be re-evaluated at practice on Tuesday.

• 11/07/09 - 1:53PM ETHenrik Lundqvist : Out for Saturday

  The Rangers have flipped their decision, and Lundqvist will not start in goal on Saturday as previously reported, according to New York Newsday.

  Lundqvist has apparently been battling a nagging groin injury. He sums the situation up well when he says, "It's just a minor little thing that's been bugging me, so it's a good time to get a break, we're not playing til Thursday, so a couple days off here and be good to go." Steve Valiquette will get the start instead.

Friday, November 6

• 11/06/09 - 6:40PM ETMike Green : Leaves Friday's Game With Undisclosed Injury

  Green was forced out of Friday's game early in the first period with an undisclosed injury, the Washington Times reports.

  There was some thought that he might return, but that didn't end up happening. Green is probably the most valuable fantasy blueliner out there, so hopefully it's a minor ailment. The Caps are back at it Saturday against Florida.

• 11/06/09 - 2:58PM ETCam Ward : Friday's Starter

  Ward will get the start in goal Friday when the Hurricanes host the Maple Leafs, TSN.ca reports.

  This is one of the few games that the 2-9-3 'Canes will be favored, as they take on a team that has just one win. It's a typical light Friday night slate, so you may have to look in Ward's direction for a start.

• 11/06/09 - 2:34PM ETTuomo Ruutu : (Upper Body) Expects to Play Friday

  Ruutu (upper body) said he is going to play Friday night against the Maple Leafs, the Raleigh News & Observer reports.

  Normally, we would calll this an excellent matchup for Ruutu and the 'Canes since Toronto only has one win. However, the team from Raleigh only has two victories themselves, making this a battle to see who is the worst of the worst. It sounds like Ruutu will play, however, see if you can dig a forward from your bench in his place until Carolina gets back on track.

• 11/06/09 - 2:29PM ETVictor Hedman : Won't Play Saturday

  Hedman (undisclosed) will be held out of Saturday's game against the Canadiens, ESPN.com reports.

  Hedman is day-to-day after getting hit by Chris Neil of the Senators during Thursday's loss. He is being held out of Saturday's game as a precautionary measure.

• 11/06/09 - 2:27PM ETRay Whitney : Game-Time Decision Friday

  Whitney (upper body) will be a game-time decision for Friday night's contest against Toronto, the Globe and Mail reports.

  Whitney sustained the injury on Wednesday against Florida, and the 'Canes really could use him as they are trying to snap a four-game losing streak and will be without Eric Staal, who is sidelined with an upper body injury of his own. Consider your alternatives because even if he plays, he probably won't be working 100 percent.

• 11/06/09 - 12:43PM ETJames Neal : (Groin) Out Friday

  Neal (groin) will miss Friday's game and likely Saturday's as well, the Dallas Morning News reports.

  The Stars have four days off following Saturday's game so they may take the cautious approach with Neal and hold him out an extra game to make sure he's completely healed. Get him on your bench for Friday at the very least.

• 11/06/09 - 12:32PM ETJonas Gustavsson : Will Start Friday

  Gustavsson will start against the Hurricanes on Friday, TSN.ca reports.

  That will make two starts in a row for Gustavsson, although Vesa Toskala could be in line to start Saturday against Detroit.

• 11/06/09 - 12:17PM ETRay Emery : Friday's Starter

  Emery is expected to get the start for Philadelphia's game against the Sabres on Friday, The Buffalo News reports.

  Emery has allowed just seven goals over his last four games. He gets a tough matchup because the Sabres are playing so well, yet there are only six games to choose from Friday night.

• 11/06/09 - 9:58AM ETJean-Francois Jacques : Has MRI on Back

  Jacques had an MRI on his back on Thursday, according to the Edmonton Journal.

  Jacques doesn't believe his current back problems have anything to do with the herniated disc that he had surgery on last year. As for when he can return to the ice, the Oilers are awaiting the results of the MRI.

• 11/06/09 - 9:49AM ETRyan Miller : Expected to Start Friday

  Miller is expected to get the start for Buffalo's game against the Flyers on Friday, The Buffalo News reports.

  Miller is coming off a 3-0 shutout over the Islanders and now leads the league with a .941 save percentage. There is no doubt that this netminder is hot right now, but with back-up goalie Patrick Lalime out with a groin injury, Miller could be facing some fatigue in the near future as he tries to carry the load.

• 11/06/09 - 9:25AM ETEvander Kane : Skates With Top Line

  Kane practiced with the top line Friday morning, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

  This might mean Kane is starting on the top line in Saturday's game against the Islanders. That would mean an immediate spike in value for the youngster. But, that's Ilya Kovalchuk's spot and Coach John Anderson is mixing things up, so it won't last forever.

• 11/06/09 - 9:01AM ETRoberto Luongo : (Ribs) Sets Target Date

  Luongo (ribs) could return to the lineup Tuesday against the Blues, the Vancouver Sun reports.

  Doctors have told Luongo that his rib injury will take six weeks to fully heal but only two weeks for "calcification" to occur, which would reduce the chance of setback. Tuesday will mark two weeks since Luongo last played. He's also expected to wear a modified chest protector to ward off further injury.

• 11/06/09 - 8:50AM ETPeter Forsberg : Return to NHL on Tap?

  Forsberg (foot) is being pursued by the Canucks, the Vancouver Sun reports.

  Numerous teams have shown interest in Forsberg, who didn't play in the NHL last season. He's expected to play in an international tournament this weekend and could sign with an NHL team shortly after.

• 11/06/09 - 4:32AM ETT.J. Oshie : Back in Action

  Oshie returned to action Thursday after missing two weeks because of an emergency appendectomy.

  Oshie led the Blues with six shots on goal and won a face-off in Calgary's end that set up St. Louis' only goal in the third period of a 2-1 loss to the Flames.

Thursday, November 5

• 11/05/09 - 3:17PM ETKevin Bieksa : Could Move to Top Line

  Bieksa's teammate Steve Bernier is battling the flu and did not skate Thursday morning, TSN.ca reports.

  If Bernier can't go Thursday night, that could give Bieksa a one-night assignment on the top line. He's a good scorer from wherever he is on the ice, but he may prove to be an extra sneaky play on Thursday.

• 11/05/09 - 3:07PM ETChris Mason : Will Start Thursday

  Mason will start for St. Louis Thursday night against Calgary, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

  The Blues haven't scored a goal in over six periods, sticking Mason and backup Ty Conklin with some tough losses.

• 11/05/09 - 3:00PM ETT.J. Oshie : Back in Action Thursday

  Oshie (appendectomy) will return to the Blues' lineup Thursday against Calgary, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

  Oshie will line up at right wing on a line with rookie Lars Eller at left wing and Patrik Berglund at center. Oshie has missed two weeks because of the procedure.

• 11/05/09 - 2:48PM ETRob Blake : Placed on Injured Reserve

  The Sharks placed Blake on injured reserve Thursday with an undisclosed upper body injury, the Associated Press reports.

  Blake was injured in the second period of Wednesday's game and will miss at least a week. San Jose recalled Derek Joslin from the AHL to fill the roster spot.

• 11/05/09 - 2:18PM ETAntero Niittymaki : Thursday's Starter

  Niittymaki will start against the Senators Thursday, TSN.ca reports.

  Niittymaki is coming off an excellent 40-save performance in a 2-1 OT victory Tuesday. He has been performing very well lately.

• 11/05/09 - 1:51PM ETMiikka Kiprusoff : In Goal Thursday

  Kiprusoff will be in goal on Thursday against the Blues after missing Wednesday's game with flu-like symptoms, reports Leftwinglock.com.

  Curtis McElhinney stood on his head in Wednesday's victory so the Flames would not hesitate to use him again if necessary. This is a good sign that Kipper is over whatever was bothering him. Stay tuned for more information but it looks like it is safe to roll with Kiprusoff in all leagues.

• 11/05/09 - 1:16PM ETJason Arnott : (Arm/Shoulder) Will Play Thursday

  Arnott (arm/shoulder) will return to the lineup Thursday against Anaheim, the Nashville Tennessean reports.

  Arnott is scheduled to play for the first time since October 17. "It looks like Arnie has good jump," coach Barry Trotz said following practice on Tuesday. Feel free to activate Arnott if you need him.

• 11/05/09 - 9:22AM ETPascal Leclaire : Thursday Start on Tap

  Leclaire will start in goal for the Senators when they play host to the Lightning on Thursday night reports TSN.ca.

  Leclaire's performance has been up and down the past couple of weeks, mainly due to the flu he was suffering from. Leclaire's fully recovered now and will look to get his first win since October 17.

• 11/05/09 - 9:13AM ETJason Spezza : Slated to Return Thursday

  Spezza (undisclosed) will be back in the lineup for Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, confirms TSN.ca.

  This is great news for both the Sens and Spezza's fantasy owners. Spezza missed two games, both of which Ottawa lost. He'll center the first line with Milan Michalek and Daniel Alfredsson flanking him.

• 11/05/09 - 8:52AM ETDavid Krejci : Out Due to H1N1 virus

  Krejci had been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus and will not play Thursday against Montreal, the Boston Globe reports.

  As a result, Vladimir Sobotka is expected to move up Thursday to take his spot between Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder. Consider Krejci day-to-day.

• 11/05/09 - 8:14AM ETEvgeni Malkin : Not Skating Yet

  Malkin (shoulder) has not yet resumed skating with the team, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

  He's expected to miss a "couple weeks" with a strained right shoulder, according to coach Dan Bylsma. Malkin still leads the Pens in power-play points with eight (3, 5) despite missing the team's last three contests.

• 11/05/09 - 8:06AM ETRoberto Luongo : (Ribs) Making Progress

  Luongo (ribs) said he's feeling better and hopes to play on the Canucks' five-game road trip that kicks in Minnesota on Thursday night, the Vancouver Sun reports.

  Luongo has been skating on his own, but won't skate with the team until he's 100-percent pain free. He's eying a return next week, so check his status before setting your lineups.

• 11/05/09 - 8:02AM ETHenrik Sedin : Foot Feels Fine

  Sedin, who was hit in the foot by an Ales Kotalik shot during Tuesday's win over the Rangers, said his foot felt fine on Wednesday, the Vancouver Sun reports. "It is a lot better today," Sedin said. "They told me if it feels better today it's not a problem."

  Sedin was seen walking around without any noticeable problems and should be ready to go for Thursday's tilt against the Wild.

• 11/05/09 - 7:17AM ETEric Staal : Out 2-4 Weeks

  The Hurricanes have determined that Staal will now be out for two to four weeks after he sustained an upper body injury last Sunday in a loss to the Sharks, the Raleigh News & Observer reports.

  Having contributed only five points (3G, 2A) in 13 games and now hurting, Staal fits the idiom of adding insult to injury. Heading into the season, plenty of owners were counting on Staal to be the centerpiece of their fantasy squads, but now all they can do is hope for him to quickly recover.