On the Blackhawks …
- Chris Hine of the Chicago Tribune: Duncan Keith has been skating the past few days. Coach Joel Quenneville said that Keith is “close” to returning from his torn meniscus in his right knee. Keith isn’t worried about the knee and either are his doctors.
“He should be good to go,” Gauthier said. “There’s always a risk of injury no matter who you are, but again, treat it correctly and as long as your rehab includes the proper control, strength and balance exercises, he should be as good as ever.”
- Brian Hedger: When asked if he expects to be cleared soon, Keith responds with: “Don’t know. No idea. Have to asked the trainers,” then adds “I could play today.”
On the Stars …
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Ales Hemsky is being bothered by a ‘hiccup’ in his recovery from offseason hip surgery. He was good for their first six games, but then it started acting up, and he missed a game against the Bruins earlier this month.
“It is better than last season, but I got hit a couple of times and it just shut down on me,” Hemsky said. “It’s something I have to go and deal with. The hamstring or your quad shuts down, and you’d be surprised how much it makes a difference.”
- Both Travis Moen (upper-body) and Patrick Eaves (lower-body) hope to play on Thursday.
On the Capitals …
- Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post: Defenseman Brook Orpik lasted one shift in the second period before leaving with a lower-body injury. Coach Barry Trotz said that Orpik would be evaluated today. The Capitals next game is on Thursday.
On the Red Wings …
- George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: Coach Jeff Blashill is hoping that Pavel Datsyuk will be able to return on Friday against the Sharks.
“We’ll see,” Blashill said. “He’s just getting off the ice now. I think it’s one of those things you take day-to-day and see how he feels.”
“I’m looking forward,” Datsyuk said. “Now I skate with team. I need, maybe, more practice, make sure it’s 100 — not 100 (percent) but some percentage up, and I feel more confidence.”
Blashill is planning on Datsyuk playing with Henrik Zetterberg.
- Brad Richards (back) and Brendan Smith (illness) practiced yesterday.
- Landon Ferraro (knee) didn’t practice yesterday, but he did have an off-ice workout.
On the Flyers …
- Sam Carchidi: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare doesn’t rule out returning this week.
On the Predators: …
- Adam Vingan: The Predators have put Carter Hutton on the IR with an upper-body injury. Hutton is eligible to return next Tuesday, so he’ll miss at least their three games this week against the Senators, Maple Leafs and Jets.