Fantasy hockey injury update: December 21
The following is an update on current injuries relevant to fantasy hockey for December 21.
As long as there’s hockey being played there will be injuries, both major and minor for players to deal with. That’s the case right now in the NHL, as several players, including some big names, are on injury reports for this week.
Below you will find a list of injuries that are relevant for fantasy hockey.
Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins (C): Crosby played for the Penguins on Friday night and picked up two assists but suffered a lower-body injury at some point over the weekend. He didn’t practice with the team Sunday morning and there’s n official word on his status for the upcoming week.
Marian Hossa – Chicago Blackhawks (W): The veteran winger played in Chicago’s game on Saturday but then missed morning skate on Sunday. He sat out of Sunday’s game against San Jose with what it being called an upper-body injury. There are no updates on his status or a timeline at this point.
Henrik Sedin – Vancouver Canucks (C): Sedin was injured when be blocked a shot on Thursday night and missed Friday’s game with the Red Wings. He also missed Sunday’s game with Florida. It’s a lower-body injury for the talented center, but there’s no official word on when he’ll return.
Sergei Bobrovsky – Columbus (G): Bobrovsky was hurt during a game on December 8 with what was initially called a lower-body injury. It’s since been disclosed that he’s dealing with a groin injury. The timetable for Bobrovsky’s return was set at three weeks, though he has already been skating, meaning that he could be on track to be back sooner.
Kris Letang- Pittsburgh Penguins (D): Letang is still on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. He is apparently nearing a return because he has been skating finally practiced with the team on Sunday. It’s sounds as if he is nearing a return.
Mike Smith- Arizona Coyotes (G): Smith was placed on injured reserve last week with a lower-body injury and more information has now come out of Arizona. The goaltender underwent surgery on December 15 for a core injury and will officially be out 8-10 weeks.
James Reimer- Toronto Maple Leafs (G): It’s been reported that Reimer has been out with a groin injury. There was a chance he’d practice this past week but was unable to take the ice. He’s officially ruled out past December 25.
Robin Lehner- Buffalo Sabres (G): Lehner is still recovering from a high ankle sprain he suffered in the second game of the season. He’s now been skating in full gear and appears to be nearing a return. It was recently reported that he had suffered a setback but that report seems to have been false. Check for updates on his status as this week goes on.
Tyler Ennis – Buffalo Sabres (C): Ennis returned to the ice for Buffalo on Saturday night and saw 14:59 of ice time. He’s no longer dealing with his upper-body injury.
Martin Hanzal- Arizona Coyotes (C): Hanzal was on injured reserve last week with a lower-body injured but was able to play in Saturday’s game versus the Islanders. He skated for 15 minutes and appears full healthy and ready to deploy in lineups.
Joffrey Lupul – Toronto Maple Leafs (W): Lupul returned to action this week for the Maple Leafs and is no longer dealing with the lower-body issue that forced him to miss five games.
Mike Fisher- Nashville Predators (C): Fisher has been out since early December with a lower-body injury. He was on the ice for the morning skate on Saturday and appears to be very close to a return. Nashville plays Monday evening so check his status prior to the game.
Carey Price (G-Montreal Canadiens), Ondrej Pavelec (G-Winnipeg Jets) and Derek Stepan (C-New York Rangers) are all still out with long-term injuries and they have been no updated timetables.