Hockey Hospital: Singing the Columbus Goalie Blues
The Devils are now without their leading scorer, Mike Cammalleri. (en.wikipedia.org)
Happy New Year, everyone! In this week’s edition of Hockey Hospital, we examine the players that were “lucky” enough to be stricken with the first injuries of 2016.
Mike Cammalleri, C, New Jersey Devils: Cammalleri is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
With him out, Jiri Tlusty got some time on the first line but we wouldn’t expect much from him. Tlusty only has four points in 28 games this season and shouldn’t be owned in many Fantasy leagues. By the way, in case you were wondering how Cammalleri likes his stick taped, wonder no more…
Chris Kreider, LW, New York Rangers: Kreider is day-to-day with a hand injury. Jayson Megna has been recalled to replace him and he fired a goal and an assist on Tuesday, so consider him an option if you need some help up front.
Tyler Ennis, LW, Buffalo Sabres: Ennis is considered week-to-week with an upper-body injury. He had just come back from an injury and now he’s on the shelf again.
Jiri Hudler, LW, Calgary Flames: A lower-body injury suffered on Saturday will keep Hudler out of the lineup.
Before the injury, he was having a lot of trouble scoring, with just one goal in the previous 22 games — a big disappointment considering he led the team in scoring last season. Maybe some time off will do Hudler good but for now, a spot on the top line with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan opens up.
Ales Hemsky, RW, Dallas Stars: Hemsky was placed on injured reserve because of a lower-body injury. He is considered week-to-week.
He’s has been very disappointing this season with a very modest 13 points in 37 games and given his history, an injury was bound to happen. One thing Hemsky has proved over his career is that he can’t stay healthy. However, if there’s one good thing to come out of this, it’s less competition for Valeri Nichushkin. Nichushkin’s ice time has been very inconsistent, but he may get more PT thanks to Hemsky’s injury.
Patrik Elias, LW, New Jersey Devils: A knee injury will keep Elias out of the lineup for an uncertain amount of time. It’s been a trying season for the veteran as he’s managed just a single goal while missing extended time.
Dale Weise, RW, Montreal Canadiens: An upper-body injury will keep Weise out of action for the next two-to-three weeks.
Just as Brendan Gallagher returns, Weise gets injured. Weise’s injury allows Devante Smith-Pelly to draw back into the lineup. While Smith-Pelly doesn’t have much potential to produce points but he can really help you in hits.
Brandon Prust, RW, Vancouver Canucks: Prust missed some action because of a leg injury suffered in Friday’s game. He’s expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday.
Johnny Boychuk, D, New York Islanders: Boychuk will miss the next four-to-six weeks because of an upper-body injury.
His injury creates a huge hole on the Islanders defense and so far, it looks like Nick Leddy is going to absorb a lot of the minutes, although it’s worth watching to see if GM Garth Snow will pull the trigger on a trade. Leddy was already on a hot streak before Boychuk go hurt, but now Leddy is really rocking with six points in the past five games.
Erik Johnson, D, Colorado Avalanche: Johnson suffered a lower-boy injury in Monday game against the Kings, and he failed to return to action. He’ll miss Wednesday’s game.
Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Columbus Blue Jackets: Bobrovsky has been placed on injured reserve again after he aggravated a groin injury.
Curtis McElhinney, G, Columbus Blue Jackets: McElhinney will be out indefinitely with an ankle injury.
With both Columbus goalies injured, rookie Anton Forsberg will likely receive the starts. If you need help, Forsberg could provide some value, but bear in mind Columbus has been one of the worst teams in the league this season. We’d suggest looking elsewhere for goalie help (perhaps Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom?) before you add Forsberg.
Darcy Kuemper, G, Minnesota Wild: A mild concussion kept Kuemper from going on the Wild’s four game road trip.
with him out, Niklas Backstrom is now backing up Devan Dubnyk for Minnesota but Backstrom probably won’t see much playing time. There’s a chance Backstrom plays against the Devils in the second game of an upcoming back-to-back but the Wild has shown it’s not afraid to ride Dubnyk for several games in a row.
Now it’s your turn. Let us know in the comments below what Fantasy hockey injuries you’re dealing with and how you’re adjusting.
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