The wounded continue to pile up in the NHL's sick bay and there seems to be no end in sight. Here's the updates, but be sure to check last week's Quick Hits for the old news.
Let's start first with those that are on the verge of rejoining the lineup.
Imminent Returns:
Sergei Gonchar - D - Pittsburgh Penguins
Out since October 20th with a broken left wrist, Gonchar will return Thursday night - and it's none too soon for Pittsburgh. With Kris Letang out (he's skating and is a few days away), Jay Mckee (see below) and Alex Goligoski all on the shelf, Gonchar's presence is much needed. Put him back in your lineup as the Pen's PP has sorely missed its QB and I expect Sergei to pick up where he he left off - remember - he had 2 Goals and 6 Assists with 5 PP points in just 9 games. Activate him post-haste.Milan Lucic -LW - Boston Bruins
Returning Thursday night from a fractured finger that required surgery, Lucic would have returned last game if he hadn't come down with a stomach bug. He'll likely start out on the 4th line, so wait until Monday before activating him so he can get a game under his belt with a few more practices to raise his conditioning.Marc Savard - C - Boston Bruins
Savard is skating with the team, and while he won't start on Thursday, he is a possibility for Monday as both he and Milan Lucic have been taken off of LTIR. Get ready to activate Savard as he may be the anchor that rights the Bruin's listing ship and should help lift their horrible power play out of its doldrums. Savard has been on the shelf since October 20th with a broken foot.
Daniel Sedin - LW - Vancouver CanucksOut since October 7th, Daniel Sedin is skating again and is aiming for a Sunday return to the lineup. He's had a setback before by rushing things, but I'd err on the side of caution and put the twin back in your lineup for Sunday's game. Those who have been enjoying Mikael Samuelsson's flourishing while Daniel's been out - don't fret. Daniel's return lets Sammy anchor a solid second line that will have more opportunities against defensively weaker opponents as opposing teams will have to trot out their top guys to shut down the Sedin twins.
Marian Hossa - RW - Chicago BlackhawksOut since the off-season with shoulder surgery, Hossa has been practicing on the first line in Chi-Town and it seems he will line up there, which we predicted awhile ago. He seems to be just a week away, so hopefully you took our advice and dealt away Dustin Byfuglien, as his 1st line ice time is about to go bye-bye. Hossa is expected to suit up on Wednesday in San Jose, or failing that, the 27th in Anaheim.
2-4 Weeks:Jay Mckee - D - Pittsburgh Penguins
Struck down with a severley Infected Finger, McKee will miss 2-4 weeks. On a squad that has 3 of it's top defenders out the loss of Mckee would be immense, if not for Sergei Gonchar returning tonight. Mckee is a big shot blocker along with Brooks Orpik (who is also out) with a high pain threshold, so it's obviously a very serious infection to shelve the burly defender.
Fantasy wise, be careful with Marc Andre-Fleury is you have him as he'll be facing MUCH larger amounts of shots. While I think he's up to the challenge, his GAA will likely rise over the next week or two.
4-6 Weeks:Ryan Smyth - LW - Los Angeles Kings
After being traded to the Kings in the Off-season, many predicted Smyth's best years were behind him. After landing on Anze Kopitar's wing and jumping out to a hot start with 9 Goals and 14 assists in the first 22 games this season, with 10 of those points coming on the man advantage while managing 67 SOGs. Well, forget all that for the next 4 weeks, as Smyth will miss about a month with an upper body injury. Alexander Frolov will be given the chance to fail upward and takes Smyth's 1st line LW slot. If he's on your waiver wire, the disappointing Frolov might be worth a look.
Brian Gionta - LW - Montreal CanadiensYet another broken foot in the NHL and Gionta will miss at least a month. this is a HUGE blow to the Habs who have been struggling mightily this year. Gionta is officially out indefinitely, but Marc Savard is about to return from a broken foot after just 4 weeks. in the meantime, who rolls up to the top line is up in the air, but Andrei Kostitsyn has played well of late and may get the assignment. Kostitsyn has been a disappointment this year, so keep an eye on him and see what he does with the opportunity.
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