Coyotes injury update
Richard Morin: Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers and fowards Brad Richardson and Michael Grabner were all on the ice today in no-contract jerseys. It was the first time for both Demers and Richardson since their injuries.
Craig Morgan: Richardson could be ready to return from his hand injury within a week. He’ll still needs to be evaluated.
The Coyotes will decide in the next few days if forward Christian Dvorak will go on a conditioning stint.
Craig Morgan: Demers has been out since November with a knee injury.
Craig Morgan: Arizona Coyotes forward Mario Kempe is doubtful for tonight because of an upper-body injury.
Crawford feeling great
Tracey Myers of NHL.com: Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford took part in his first full practice in about two months.
“I feel great, back to normal,” Crawford said after the 30-minute practice at MB Ice Arena. “It’s nice to get back on the ice and practice with everyone and yeah, I’m feeling good. That’s the most important thing right now.”
There is no timetable for him but he’s hoping to return sooner than later.
Jimmy Greenfield: Corey Crawford on if he considered retirement: “No, not at all. I was gonna come back as soon as I felt 100 percent. I’m not worried about that. … I feel good, I feel ready, just going to work our way back into the lineup.”
Chicago Blackhawks: Cam Ward was given a maintenance day yesterday.
Bishop could be back later this week
Sean Shapiro: Dallas Stars goaltender Ben Bishop is out tonight with an upper-body injury.
He could play on Thursday against the Lightning or Saturday against the Hurricanes.
Defenseman Roman Polak returns to the lineup.
Rattie’s foot isn’t broken … Sekera real close
Jim Matheson: Edmonton Oilers forward Ty Rattie doesn’t have a broken foot but won’t be skating for a few days.
Jack Michaels: It is sounding like defenseman Andrej Sekera will play on Wednesday for Bakersfield (AHL) and then could be an option for the Oilers on weekend against the Hurricanes or Islanders, and if not, it would be shortly after.
Carter could be a few days away
Curtis Zupke: Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Carter is “probably a few days away,” according to coach Willie Desjardins. He’s like he’s been like that for a while now.
Sens hopeful Anderson isn’t out long
Brent Wallace: Ottawa Senators Guy Boucher said they are hopeful that goaltender Craig Anderson will be back in “the next few days.” The Senators will need to recall someone if he can’t go.
Brent Wallace: Senators GM Pierre Dorion said that Anderson suffered a “very minor tweak” when warming up yesterday.
Malkin returns and Bjugstad updates his cut
Pittsburgh Penguins: Forward Evgeni Malkin returned to the lineup last night.
Pens Inside Scoop: Penguins coach Mike Sullivan on defenseman Olli Maatta who left early: “Olli will be evaluated tomorrow. I don’t have anything real significant for you at this point. Right now he’s out with an upper-body injury.”
Jesse Marshall: Penguins Nick Bjugstad on his cut: “I wouldn’t look at the gash. I didn’t want to look at it. I just let them stitch it up. It was under my arm. Armpit area. I trimmed some armpit hair.”
Karlsson update
Paul Gackle of The Mercury News: San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson missed his eighth consecutive game.
Coach Pete DeBoer said that Karlsson has been dealing with a muscle injury for the past four weeks. It could be a groin issue.
“Any time you have a muscle injury, there’s always the fear of re-aggravating it if it doesn’t heal 100 percent,” DeBoer said. “That’s where he’s at.”
DeBoer said that Karlsson is “really close.”
Markstrom unable to go
Patrick Johnston: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom wasn’t able to go last night with “lower-body stiffness.”
Irfaan Gaffar: The Canucks put forward Brandon Sutter on the IR.
