On the Dallas Stars …
Mark Stepneski: There is no time frame yet on when forward Ales Hemsky could return to the lineup. He’s getting close. They will see where he’s at on Thursday.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Sarah McLellan: Lawson Crouse didn’t play last night, but coach Dave Tippett hasn’t ruled him out for later this week.
Craig Morgan: Goaltender Mike Smith left last night’s game early shortly after he was hit by Jakob Silfverberg.
Craig Morgan: Coach Dave Tippett said that Smith was in concussion protocol and that he is fine.
Craig Morgan: Tippett said that Smith wanted to come back into the game, but there wasn’t really enough time. They expect Smith to be at practice today.
On the Minnesota Wild …
Minnesota Wild: Coach Bruce Boudreau on Matt Dumba: “Dumba is physically ready to play, I haven’t talked to the trainers yet.” Boudreau added that he’s not sure if it’s in his best interest to give today off.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Edmonton Oilers: Coach Todd McLellan expects Darnell Nurse to play on their road trip. Likely not against the Lightning or Panthers, but possibly on Friday against the Capitals.
Edmonton Oilers: Coach McLellan on defenseman Kris Russell: “He’ll be evaluated in the morning & we’ll make a decision.”
On the San Jose Sharks …
San Jose Sharks: The Sharks activated Dylan DeMelo from the IR.
On the Colorado Avalanche …
Ryan Boulding of NHL.com: Defenseman Nikita Zadorov is done for the season after fracturing his ankle in a collision with Mikko Rantanen. at practice.
“He got tangled up with Mikko,” head coach Jared Bednar said after practice. “He actually fell on top of Mikko, but his leg got trapped underneath Mikko and he fell awkwardly.”
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Defenseman Erik Johnson took part in his first full practice yesterday since breaking his leg on December 6th. He hasn’t been cleared to return to the lineup yet, but he could be ready to go for Thursday or Saturday.
On the LA Kings …
Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider: Goaltender Jonathan Quick has been skating regularly and has increased his intensity lately. There is optimism that he should be able to return from his major groin injury.
There had been some internal talk if they should set a cut-off date on whether he could return or not – if they should need to acquire another goalie to give Peter Budaj a break.
Target day for Quick’s return is the first half of March.
“We’re going to do it day-by-day in simulated games and see exactly where he’s at, and then I’ll say, ‘this is the game you’re playing,’ and that’s what we’ll do,” Sutter said. “In terms of deadlines or any of that other stuff, that doesn’t involve him and I at all. That’s how we deal with that.”
