On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Some days Blue Jackets forward David Clarkson is able to play with his kids or skate with a high school team. Other days he can barely get out of bed. He hasn’t played a game since last March, and his chronically injured back doesn’t allow him to train his ‘lower-body.’
Clarkson won’t retire as his contract is guaranteed through the 2019-20 season. Insurance picks up 80% of his contract, with the Blue Jackets covering 20%. His $5.25 million cap hit counts against the cap, until he’s on the LTIR.
He may never play again. He’s only played 26 games since acquired by the Blue Jackets in almost two years.
“I know the reality of the situation,” Clarkson said. “But I think it’s my job to try to be a player for as long as I possibly can. I still have that dream inside me. I don’t want it to end on these terms. This is not how any player wants it to.”
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Elliotte Friedman: Coach Mike Babcock on Mitch Marner‘s injury: I don’t know, we’ll figure it out later.
Rob Longley: Marner will be evaluated on Friday. He may have been pulled in the third as a precaution.
On the Florida Panthers …
George Richards: Coach Tom Rowe on Roberto Luongo: “Luongo’s fine. He just cramped up a bit.”
Harvey Fialkov: No official word on Luongo. Have to think that Reto Berra will be on a flight to meet the team in Anaheim .
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Ansar Khan: Goaltender Jimmy Howard suffered a setback to this knee days ago. If he’s healthy enough, he could play a couple games in the AHL next week while Red Wings are on their bye.
On the New Jersey Devils …
Andrew Gross: Defenseman Kyle Quincey isn’t ready to return and is still day-to-day. He plans to skate again today.
Andrew Gross: Forward Beau Bennett could return to the lineup tonight.
On the Los Angeles Kings …
Elliott Teaford: Forward Jordan Nolan, on the IR with a lower-body injury, practiced after most had left yesterday. Had a no-contact jersey on.
On the Winnipeg Jets …
Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Forward Andrew Copp won’t travel with the team on their four game road trip due to an upper-body injury.
Defenseman Toby Enstrom won’t travel with the team due to a lower-body injury.
Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec (lower-body) and forward Marko Dano (lower-body) will travel with the team but it’s not known if they will return to the lineup.
On the Minnesota Wild …
Kent Youngblood of the Star-Tribune: Defenseman Jonas Brodin skated with the team again, but when he will return is not known.
“I have no idea right now,’’ he said. “I’m hoping sooner than later. It looks like he’s skating fine. He started taking slap shots today. I have to believe it’s in the not-too-distant future.’’
Defenseman Matt Dumba has missed the past two games with a knee injury, and is also sick now. Dumba will be out for at least the next three games.