NHL Rumors. Your #1 Source for NHL Trade Rumors, Free Agent Rumors, Injury Updates, and Fantasy News.
HNIC Hotstove video … Downie back on Tuesday … Leafs get offer for Versteeg … Zidlicky’s shoulder injury serious
Mark Easson
Tampa Tribune: The Tampa Bay Lightning could get winger Steve Downie back in the lineup on Tuesday. Downie has been out since Dec. 2nd with a high ankle injury, had been lobbying to get in the lineup last night. Goalie Mike Smith is also close to returning, he’s been out since Dec. 20th with a knee sprain. Randy Jones missed last night’s game (last 2 of 3) with an upper body injury.
Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Pierre LeBrun mentioned in last night’s Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove (video is at bottom of this post) that the Toronto Maple Leafs received an offer for Kris Versteeg.
Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Marek Zidlicky’s shoulder injury may be more serious than originally hoped. GM Chuck Fletcher, “I’ll just say right now he’s going to be out for a while. We still have to speak with the doctors and look at the alternatives we have here. But it’s a significant injury.” Surgery could be an option.
Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel: The Florida Panthers will continue to look at trading Steve Reinprecht if no one claims him off waivers by Monday. He’s in his 2nd year of a 3 year, $6.52 million deal.
Eric Stephens via twitter: Ryan Getzlaf will see a specialist on Tuesday or Wednesday where a timetable for his return could be determined. Getzlaf has a nasal sinus fracture.
Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: The Edmonton Oilers received some good news when it was revealed that Jordan Eberle’s ankle was not broken. When he’ll return is not known yet.
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers are still carrying 3 goalies, as they don’t want to put Michael Leighton or Brian Boucher on waivers, and Sergei Bobrovsky has been playing really well despite playing only 3 games in the last 9. “It’s all about timing. When someone has a goalie go down, I’m sure our phone will start ringing,” said a Flyers official. “Three goalies just don’t work, long-term. It’s just not good.”
Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove Video: Ron MacLean, Eric Francis, Glenn Healy & Pierre LeBrun