Injury updates from around the NHL ….
- Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago: Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival joined the team at practice over the weekend. He’s still weeks away from returning from fractured left ankle.
“I’m definitely excited to be with the team, get that regular practice feeling, get the passing and shooting and have a goalie in the net,” Rozsival said. “I’ve been skating on my own, which is kind of boring. It’s another step forward for me in my recovery.”
Rozsival said that his ankle has about 85 percent range of motion. He has a small plate on his anklebone. Rozsival was put on the LTIR on October 6th, so he’s not eligible for 24 days and 10 games.
“I can’t tell you how long but it’s definitely not ready now. It may be a few more weeks before I can actually go out and play an NHL game,” he said.
- Sarah McLellan of the AZ Republic: The Coyotes put Joe Vitale on the IR yesterday and recalled Mathias Plachta. Vitale is out with an upper-body injury and didn’t travel with the team on their road trip. He was injured in a fight with Bruins Kevan Miller.
- Joe Smith: Lightning’s Victor Hedman was wearing a regular jersey at practice yesterday, a good sign that he might be able to go tonight.
- Paul Hendrick: Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said that Tyler Bozak is expected to play on Wednesday against the Sabres.
- Jonas Siegel: Maple Leafs Stephane Robidas is still not practicing. GM Lou Lamoriello said last week that he had no idea when Robidas could return.
- Aaron Vickers: Flames Sam Bennett is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, but practiced yesterday.
- Randy Sportak: Flames Joe Colborne practice yesterday without a no-contact jersey on. He’s been out since breaking his thumb in the preseason.
- Rich Chere: Devils Tuomo Ruutu won’t play tonight due to an undisclosed injury.
- Tom Gulitti: Devils coach John Hynes said it is a “possibility” that Jon Merrill plays tonight.
- Bruce Garrioch: Senators Marc Methot missed practice yesterday. He was out Saturday with the flu.
- San Jose Sharks: The Sharks have put Logan Couture on the IR and recalled Bryan Lerg.
- Carolina Hurricanes: Riley Nash practiced yesterday with a no-contact jersey on.