- Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Jordan Staal’s fractured right fibula will require surgery and he’ll be out for three to four months.
“Initially, there’s the frustration of it all happening,” Eric Staal said. “I think he’s already over that and now it’s about getting healthy and getting back. … It’ll just take a little longer than we hoped.
“He is in phenomenal shape, the best shape I’ve seen him in. For something as freak as that was to happen is really, really tough, but his spirits have been pretty good. We’re going to come out with a game plan with the doctor and the training staff as to the best approach healing up. You just attack that. I think that’s the way he’s looking at it. And for us, as teammates, to support him and make sure he’s in the loop and wait for him to be back.”
- Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets Nathan Horton and Ryan Murray remain out. Horton hasn’t skated and according to GM Jarmo Kekelainen has a “degenerative” back issue, something that plagues most hockey players.
“Everybody is different, obviously, because there is pain involved and all kinds of things involved with that,” Kekalainen said. “I think Nathan Horton is probably more frustrated than anybody right now as far as trying to find a way to get stronger and get back to being able to play again.
“It’s about getting stronger and managing the pain by getting stronger in the core. Then your back gets stronger and the pain will go away. (He) is the only person that really knows where he is at and how much pain there is involved. It’s impossible for anybody else to know what he is going through right now. He is suffering.”
Murray skated for the first time in full gear since having his knee scoped a few months ago. There is no timetable for his return.
- Ansar Khan: Pavel Datsyuk’s separated shoulder is feeling “much better” three days later. He’ll be skating soon.
- Dave Molinari: Penguins coach Mike Johnston hopes that Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz will be cleared to play tomorrow.
- Pens Inside Scoop: Penguins Pascal Dupuis has been cleared for contact. Coach Johnston: “We’re hoping he’s going to be cleared to play for 1 of our last 2 games, maybe two.”
- NHL.com: Canadiens Michael McCarron will be out for six weeks with a shoulder injury.
- Wayne Scanlan: Senators Marc Methot’s back injury is “similar” to the one he had last spring.
- Don Brennan: Erik Condra has the “most severe” of injuries that involves Methot and Milan Michalek, all which are day-to-day.
