- Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: Anze Kopitar will have surgery on his ankle/leg on Wednesday and is likely done for the year, even if they go deep in the playoffs. There was torn ligaments caused by the ankle sprain.
- Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis could be out a week or longer after suffering his 2nd concussion of the year, 4th in his career. He was able to fly with the team to Nashville, watch practice, and planned on going out for dinner with former teammates. Things he may not have been able to do if his symptoms were bad. Mikael Samuelsson won’t play tonight but is possible for Thursday. Alex Edler and Andrew Alberts are expected to skate on Thursday as they begin to get ready for a playoff return. Tanner Glass is day-to-day with a rib injury.
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals defenseman Mike Green skated in full pads for 25 minutes yesterday, but still hasn’t had a full skate with teammates. He’s feeling better but still experiencing some symptoms, and hopes to practice in a week.
“Here and there, but nothing that’s progressing to get worse — it’s always getting better,” Green said. “We’ve done a great job here with the trainers and the staff of taking the right procedures for me to get better. The unfortunate part is that it does take time. It’s nice to get a good skate and hopefully now I can get back on the ice and back playing with the team.”
“I think it would be good” to get several practices in first, Green said. “I think it’s going to take some time to get back in shape. I haven’t skated for a long time. I’ll skate by myself here and hopefully get some practices in with the team and get comfortable again. I don’t want to rush into the game too much. I haven’t played for a while. I want to be in the best shape possible here going into the playoffs.”
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Jason Arnott took part in full practice yesterday. He’s missed the last 6 games with a lower-body injury. “After a day off, it’s a little rough, but not too bad,” Arnott said, before addressing whether he would be able to play on Tuesday against Carolina. “We’ll see how it responds today and go out in the morning skate tomorrow and then we’ll see.” A end of the week return may be the most likely “I think so. We got some good skates while the team gone. We’ll just have to see how it goes.”
- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Francis thinks that Curtis Glencross could triple his $1.2 million salary on the open market this year. He now has 23 goals while bringing toughness and has penalty killing ability. Calgary may not be able to afford him now, especially with Daymond Langkow and his $4.5 million salary have received clearance to return. Langkow’s return may also force out Brendan Morrison as he’ll be looking for a raise on his $725,000 salary.
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Jordan Leopold’s appointment with a hand specialist was postponed because he came down with the flu. Leopold broke his hand on Friday, and if he’ll be able to return for the playoffs could depend on if he needs surgery or not.
- Chris Kuc via twitter: The Blackhawks will finalize a deal with prospect Jimmy Hayes today.
- Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: Jonathan Quick will start in goal for the Kings on Thursday.
