Archive for the 'Injuries' Category

Franzen Out 1 More Game

Published
by
Sarah Baker
on May 10, 2008
in 2007-2008, Injuries, Johan Franzen and Playoffs
. 0 Comments

Well that was a nasty surprise at the beginning of the game there, wasn’t it? Just sitting there with my Wings gear, all excited for some Playoff hockey, and the announcer goes and rips my heart out. “By the way, your top scorer/Conn Smythe candidate with hands 10,000 degrees hotter than the sun is not playing tonight. Have fun!” Yeah those weren’t his exact words but they may as well have been. Anyway, looks like the Mule is going to be out at least another game. This gem of a quote from Holland (via Bruce McLeod) explains everything :

He got hit in the Colorado series and he’s been having headaches. Nothing significant, but he’s been having headaches. And finally after Game 1 (Friday) morning, he mentioned to the trainers that he’s having headaches.

In case you didn’t catch that, it appears that Franzen is experiencing headaches. Apparently he’ll undergo tests on Monday to ensure that he’s not concussed from a hit early in the Colorado series. Anyway, here’s hoping he’s back for game 4.

Filppula returns; top two pairings adjusted

Published
by
Matt Saler
on May 7, 2008
in Brad Stuart, Brian Rafalski, Injuries, Nick Lidstrom, Niklas Kronwall, Playoffs and Valtteri Filppula
. 12 Comments

Update (1:30 PM): Helene St. James has more from Babcock on the pairing mixing:

“We did it during different times of the year, and we did it during the Nashville series. We have two real physical guys on the back end who hunt down guys, and we like players we play against to be a little bit nervous. We’re just making sure we’ve got everything covered.”

Okay, but I’m with George Malik in hoping this is just to throw the Stars off. - Matt

Update (12:48 PM): MacLeod has added a post-practice update to the same post:

Filppula was off the ice before special-teams drills as a precaution. Coach Mike Babcock said: “We’re going to find out tomorrow. That was the first time he’s skated in a while. We didn’t want to push it.”

- Matt

Bruce MacLeod reports that Valtteri Filppula has returned to the ice after missing two practices with a twisted leg. That should mean he’s in for Game 1, barring a setback today or tomorrow.

As a result of Fil’s return, the lines have reverted to their second round look. Kirk Maltby is the odd man out again.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom
Franzen-Filppula-Samulesson
Cleary-Draper-Drake
Hudler-Helm-McCarty

Also, MacLeod notes that Babcock has mixed up the top two pairings, putting Brad Stuart with Nick Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski with Niklas Kronwall.

Lidstrom-Stuart
Kronwall-Rafalski
Lebda-Chelios

I’m not a fan of that idea. It didn’t work so well in the first round, if you recall. It’s certainly an odd decision going in to Game 1, as the Wings have home ice advantage and the last change. They should be able to get the matchups they want without splitting up the pairings that have worked so well throughout the run. Here’s hoping it’s just a practice experiment.

5/6 Notes

Published
by
Matt Saler
on May 6, 2008
in Fabian Brunnstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, Injuries, Playoffs, Stars and Valtteri Filppula
. 0 Comments

Update (4:50 PM): Kukla’s Korner has transcripts of the Dave Tippett and Marty Turco/Brenden Morrow calls. - Matt

Update (3:11 PM): Alanah at Kukla’s Korner has the transcript from Henrik Zetterberg’s conference call posted. It’s a long read, but a good one. - Matt

Bruce MacLeod reports that Valtteri Filppula (twisted leg) did not skate for the second day in a row. Filppula told Helene St. James, “I feel better,” and that he’ll try to skate tomorrow.

Although Mike Babcock is telling the media he expects Filppula will play Thursday, the team continues to prepare for his possible absence by using all new second and third lines. This is just prudence in action because Fil’s status for Game 1 is dependent on whether or not he can make the Wednesday skate. If he can’t, it looks like the team will have to go with the adjusted lineup and hope that three practices is enough to gel the units together. Given the experience level of all six forwards involved, that shouldn’t be a problem, however.

On the Stars side of things, Mark at Andrew’s Dallas Stars and NHL Blog, has an update here. On a semi-related note, my series preview is coming Thursday, early in the afternoon.

Paul Kukla has the NHL press release on the officials for the Conference Finals here.

Also, via Snapshots comes the latest on the Fabian Brunnstrom sweepstakes. Basically, we should know where he’s headed in a week to ten days.

Lastly, the NHL hosted media conference calls with Mike Babcock, Henrik Zetterberg, Brenden Morrow and Marty Turco, and Dave Tippett today. I expect transcripts to be made available soon. I’ll post them when they show up on the Media site.

5/5 Notes

Published
by
Matt Saler
on May 5, 2008
in Chris Chelios, Injuries and Valtteri Filppula
. 4 Comments

Ansar Khan reports that Valtteri Filppula missed practice today due to a leg injury he suffered during Game 4. Apparently, he twisted his leg when he hit a rut during the third period. He “downplayed” it to Bruce MacLeod and said that he hopes to be ready for Game 1 of the Conference Finals on Thursday.

Fil may be optimistic about his chances to play, but it looks like Mike Babcock isn’t taking any chances. MacLeod points out that the lines from practice today were juggled in such a way that indicates the team is preparing for the possibility of not having Filppula’s services:

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom
Cleary-Franzen-Samuelsson
Drake-Draper-Maltby
Hudler-Helm-McCarty

Rather than rotate someone in on the second line, Babcock chose to make some adjustments. Notice Johan Franzen has moved to the middle and Dan Cleary has been promoted from the third line. In this arrangement, Kirk Maltby would finally see some playoff ice time.

Of course, this arrangement is dependent on Filppula’s health. If he’s able to go Thursday night, expect the lines to revert to their second round look, with Maltby as the odd man out again. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are extra cautious with him, though. There’s no particular reason to rush him back if there’s any doubt about his leg. In the event that Filppula cannot go, it will be interesting to see how Franzen adjusts.

Ansar Khan also writes that Chris Chelios (lower body) is ready to play. Apparently, something he’s “had for six years” acted up and that, together with lack of urgency in Game 4, resulted in his replacement by Andreas Lilja. He practiced on the third pairing today, so Lilja should be a healthy scratch again.

Lastly, Khan has the times for the third round games:

Game 1: 7:30 ET
Game 2: 7:00 ET
Game 3: 8:00 ET
Game 4: 8:00 ET
Game 5*: 1:30 ET
Game 6*: 8:00 ET
Game 7*: 7:30 ET

Those are all nice and early. Thank you, NHL.

4/30 Avs Injury Update

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 30, 2008
in Avalanche, Injuries, Links and Playoffs
. 0 Comments

Update (4:24 PM): This isn’t injury related, but doesn’t exactly merit a separate post: via Bruce McLeod comes the shocking news that Jose Theodore will start Game 4. - Matt

According to Ansar Khan, Paul Stastny (knee) is not expected back this series regardless of what happens.

Also, Ryan Smyth (foot) is “doubtful” for tomorrow night after not skating today.

Lastly, Peter Forsberg (groin) did not skate, but the Avs are hoping he’ll play in Game 4.

Forsberg skates, feels “great”

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 28, 2008
in Avalanche, Injuries and Playoffs
. 0 Comments

Update (2:54 PM): I should also include the fact that Forsberg skated with Joe Sakic and Andrew Brunette. - Matt

Okay, this is that “something big” I mentioned earlier:

Helene St. James reports that Peter Forsberg participated in practice today. Neither he nor Joel Quenneville would say if he’s going to play in Game 3, but Forsberg told St. James that he “felt great.” Basically, it depends on how he feels tomorrow. St. James  lists him as questionable.

Given what little the Avs have shown in this series, I’m no longer convinced that Forsberg alone will turn things around for them. The Wings have just shown themselves to be far and away the better team thus far and it’ll take a decline in their play for the Avs to make this a series, with or without Forsberg.

Also, St. James confirms that Jose Theodore will start. We’ll see if the show of confidence is enough to bring him back into form. The Wings will need to get to him early in any case.

Lastly, Scott Hannan (foot) is questionable.

Wolski could miss remainder of series; Forsberg “questionable” for Game 2

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 25, 2008
in 2007-2008, Avalanche, Injuries, Links, Peter Forsberg and Playoffs
. 0 Comments

Update (4:46 PM): Forsberg is maintaining that he’s “day-to-day” and that a decision on his status for Game 2 has not been made. - Matt

George Malik summarizes a Joel Quenneville press conference in which the Colorado coach says first line winger Wojtek Wolski is unlikely to return during this series due to an “upper body injury.”

Peter Forsberg is “questionable” for Game 2 with the groin injury that kept him out of Game 1.

Both injuries are obviously bad news for the Avs, but gret news for the Wings.

Datsyuk opts out of practice

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 25, 2008
in Injuries, Links and Pavel Datsyuk
. 0 Comments

According to Macomb Daily reporter Chuck Pleiness (via Bruce MacLeod), Pavel Datsyuk opted out of practice today. The official story is that he’s ill.

MacLeod says “it’s pretty clear that Datsyuk is banged up,” and goes on to point out that it hasn’t stopped him from being effective. As long as that’s true, I don’t mind him missing practices.

4/22 Notes

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 22, 2008
in Aaron Downey, Brad Stuart, Injuries, Kirk Maltby, Lines and Pavel Datsyuk
. 5 Comments

Update (4:00 PM): Ansar Khan says Pavel Datsyuk has the flu. Let’s hope it’s not the same “flu” that Nashville’s Jason Arnott had for Games 5 and 6 of the first round. Khan also quotes Babcock as saying Datsyuk will be back at the Joe tomorrow after spending today at home.

Khan also has more from Babcock on Kirk Maltby and Darren Helm. Basically, Babcock isn’t sure if Malts will be ready to go for Game 1, and he sounds too impressed with Helm to insert #18 anyway.

In another post, Khan reports that Tomas Kopecky (torn ACL, sprained MCL) underwent surgery today in Alabama. He’s expected to take 4-6 months to recover, so it’s possible he’ll miss the start of the season. - Matt

Update (1:14 PM): MacLeod has updated as promised:

Pavel Datsyuk is “sick,” though the team isn’t saying what he’s got. The best bet is that it’s “banged-up-itis” given that Piet Van Zant’s immediate prescription was more home rest. Babcock assured MacLeod that Pavel will “be ready to go” for the second round.

Brad Stuart missed practice because he returned home to California to be with his wife for the birth of their second child.

Kirk Maltby (hamstring) is awaiting medical clearance, but even if he gets it, he’s not a lock to play. Babcock told the media “that he doesn’t like to change the lineup when things are going well.” If Babcock opts to stand pat, he’ll be choosing Darren Helm’s youthful exuberance over Kirk Maltby’s 137 games of playoff experience.

I’m not sure how I feel on that. Do you remember Maltby much this season? Me either. Darren Helm, on the other hand, stood out and has a lot going for him in terms of speed and offensive upside. Then again, Kirk Maltby has a ton of playoff experience and after watching the ramped-up performances of Dallas Drake, Darren McCarty, and Kris Draper, it’s easy to value that above youth. Helm, though, gives the Wings a bona fide fourth-line center, a role Maltby can’t fill. But Babcock won’t be as quick to trust Helm with killing penalties. Of course, Maltby will be returning from a hamstring injury, which likely means a lost step or two. What do you think?

Also, Nick Lidstrom is, predictably enough, a Norris Trophy finalist. His competition is Zdeno Chara and Dion Phaneuf. - Matt

Bruce MacLeod reports from practice:

Pavel Datsyuk was not on the ice, though MacLeod doesn’t think there’s any reason to think it’s worse than normal playoff bumps and bruises. He promises to ask for more information, so expect an update on that later.

Brad Stuart also did not practice. The obvious reason for that is his finger, which is still healing. However, in light of Stuart’s absence, it is interesting that Jonathan Ericsson practiced “with the varsity” rather than separately with his fellow Grand Rapids call-ups. Even with Stuart out, there are eight defensemen participating (Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Chelios, Lilja, Lebda, Meech, and Ericsson).

Kirk Maltby (hamstring) is practicing, so his return could come soon.

MacLeod says the team used the same lines that played in Game 6, though, with Datsyuk out, Maltby and Mark Hartigan working in on the top line. Aaron Downey got reps with the fourth line.

Nichol’s thumb broken

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 11, 2008
in Injuries, Links, Predators and Scott Nichol
. 1 Comment

John Glennon of The Tennessean reports that Nashville forward Scott Nichol will miss the rest of the series with a broken left thumb. He is to undergo surgery today and will have a recovery time of 2-3 weeks.

Glennon points out that Nichol is a key piece of the Predator penalty kill and a face-off specialist. This is a pretty significant loss.