Quick Hits 2.8.09: Goalie Injury Updates. Brodeur Getting Closer, targets Feb 26th!

Lots of injuries in the crease this season - here's a quick look at three top goalies who are ailing and on the verge of returning.

Brodeur readies for a shot, Jan 6, 2007.  Photo By C.P. Storm, via Wikipedia, CC License 2.0

Martin Brodeur -G- NJ Devils

Skating since January 21^st and facing pucks a few days later, Brodeur went through his toughest workout yet, facing “a barrage of shots from all angles from Coach Brent Sutter, assistant coaches John MacLean and Tommy Albelin and left wing Jay Pandolfo yesterday.  According to the Bergen Record, Brodeur showed no rust or hesitation when attempting saves with the catching glove on his surgically repaired left arm.

He went for about 40 minutes on Saturday and took multiple breaks, indicating his conditioning is in need of improvement.  Brodeur himself has targeted a February 26 return at home vs. the Avalanche.   Knowing Brodeur, it won’t be any later than that.

Fantasy Wise, Brodeur is less than 3 weeks away. Scott Clemmensen has played great holding down the fort in Marty’s absence but will end up, at best, in a platoon situation when Brodeur comes back.  At worst, Marty returns like he never left and Clemmensen goes back to manning the bench door. If you own Clemmensen, make a play for Marty soon, or offer Clemmy to the Brodeur owner.  Be proactive - unless the Devils deal him, the sun is setting on Clemmensen’s fantasy value.

UPDATED 2.09.09: 

Brodeur says he's in great physical shape and is only dealing with eldbow pain as he stretches the scar tissue in his arm. Reports The Newark Star Ledger:

"Conditioning won't be a problem. It's whenever that arm feels better," Brodeur said. "Right now I'm at a point where maybe I have 10 percent left in my recovery." More importantly, brodeur said he didn't want to be in a Platoon situation when he gets back. "I don't know what their plan is, but I've never expected to play one game and sit one game," he said. "I'm going to want to play a lot just to get back, and the playoffs are coming really soon after I get back. So I've got to get to the position where I'm able to play as good as I can.

If you own Clemmensen, it appears his value will drop off a cliff when Brodeur returns. Start making plans for adding another keeper now.

Mike Smith -G- Tampa Bay Lightning

Mike Smith has what the Lightning are calling an “upper body injury”, and hasn’t played since a 6-1 drubbing against Philly on January 30^th.  Immediately after getting the hook, Smith went berserk on his equipment on the way to the locker room, and speculation quickly centered on whether he injured himself during his meltdown, which Coach Rick Tocchet denied.  Expected to be back in the lineup this past Saturday, the word on the street in Tampa is that Smith may hit the ice on Monday. Don’t hold your breath.

Fantasy Wise, Smith seems like he will be gone a little while longer. Keep him reserved this week.  With Smith on the shelf and Olaf Kolzig gone for the year with surgery to repair a torn distal bicep, the Lightning signed AHL G phenom Mike McKenna to an NHL contract to back up G Karri Ramo…who was yanked against the Islanders. Ramo was replaced by McKenna who after dropping his debut 4-3 to the Penguins in OT three nights earlier, promptly threw a shutout in his 2^nd NHL start.  McKenna is worth a short term look , but has no value once Smith returns.   

UPDATE 2.9.09: 

TSN is now reporting that Mike Smith is suffering from post-concussion syndrome. Whether or not that is indeed the case, it seems Smith will be evaluated and will likely miss the rest of the week at least like I said yesterday.

Steve Mason –G- Columbus Blue Jackets

The rookie upstart who rose from the minors to lead the NHL is Shutouts has been placed on IR with Mononucleosis.  You’ll remember that Boston’s Phil Kessel had mono earlier this year and returned after missing only two weeks.  The Blue Jackets made his placement retroactive to Feb. 4, meaning they don’t expect him to be out for long. 

Fantasy Wise, Mason is eligible to return on Tuesday, but the Dispatch’s Tom Reed says not to expect Mason back in net until Friday vs. Detroit at the earliest. Columbus will ride Mason as long as they can, with Wade Dubielewicz trading time with him to keep his energy high while the Jackets continue their run to their first playoff berth ever.  If you’ve been leaning heavily on Mason, now is the time to make a move for another keeper, like the widely available Chris Mason, the unrelated namesake who was just handed the #1 gig in St. Louis.