Steven Stamkos (broken effin’ leg) is actually skating already. Yes, you read that right, just one month and three days after he broke his tibia Stamkos was back on the ice. He wasn’t practicing, nor did he wear any gear, but he’s on his feet and looks like he’ll actually make it back before the Olympic break.
Jimmy Howard (knee) has a grain-1 MCL sprain and will be out for 2-4 weeks. I’ve been telling everyone to pick up Jonas Gustavsson for weeks now, so I hope y’all listened! If not, he’s still owned in less than 50% of Yahoo! Leagues. Yar.
Shawn Thornton (assault and battery) was suspended for 15 games for his vicious attack on the Pens’ Brooks Orpik a week ago. That sounds about right.
Brooks Orpik (assaulted and battered about the head) was on the ice alone prior to the team skate yesterday morning. It’s a good sign for Brooksie , but it doesn’t sound like he’s close to returning yet.
Evgeni Nabokov will make his first start since November 16th tonight. He was terrible before getting hurt, I doubt the injury will reset things for him. He was once one of the best, but he’s over the hill now. Punt.
Dion Phaneuf returns tonight, so get him back in your lineups.
Ilya Bryzgalov (concussion) was activated from IR today. Breezy was looking solid to start before he went down and with Devan Dubnyk being himself lately, Bryzgalov’s return is much needed.
Curtis McElhinney (lower-body) left in the first period on Thursday night when Jack Johnson landed on him. He was replaced by Mike McKenna who, frankly, isn’t worth owning. The Jackets also called up Jeremy Smith, who is equally not worth owning. McElhinney was doing a solid job filling in for Sergei Bobrovsky, but the Blue Jackets are a mess. Punt.
Jan Hejda (knee) will be back on the ice tonight vs. the Wild so get him back in your lineups.
Cody Hodgson (lower-body) is a game-time decision tonight after missing Thursday’s game against Ottawa for reasons undisclosed. OoOoOo. Classified ‘n whatnot.
Marian Gaborik (knee) took part in the Jackets’ morning skate but will not suit up tonight against the Blues. He should be back soon, though, to continue disappointing fantasy owners with subpar production.
Francois Beauchemin (upper body) is expected to play tomorrow after missing 10 games. He plays for the Ducks and he was a +15 before this bump in the road, so get him back in there.
Marc Staal (concussion) is working out off the ice, but still hasn’t laced up since suffering his latest concussion. He wasn’t really the same when he came back from the first, or the second, and… well, it seems like Marc is suffering from Lindros syndrome, and that’s a shame.
Evander Kane (lower-body) skated yesterday morning with the team but did not play yet again. He remains questionable tonight against the Stars. If you still own Kane you just have to be patient and hold on for a bit longer before cutting bait. It’s hard, I know. But unless you’re desperate, hold on.
Tim Thomas (lower-body) is day-to-day with an undisclosed something-or-other. Scott Clemmensen started last night and beat the Caps 3-2 in a shootout, so if Timmyboy isn’t 100% the Panters might go with Clemm again tomorrow against the Habs.
