On the Colorado Avalanche …
- Terry Frei of the Denver Post: There is still no update on the status of Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon and their knee injuries. Patrick Roy said again that he won’t talk about their injuries. They are both out until at least Sunday, missing their game against the Wild. Eric Gelinas missed last night’s game with an elbow injury.
On the Washington Capitals …
- Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post: T.J. Oshie will likely miss tonight’s game due to an illness. John Carlson could be ready to return tonight after missing 13 games with a lower-body injury.
On the Anaheim Ducks …
- Curtis Zupke: Ryan Kesler (personal reasons) and Simon Depres (injury) have left the team and returned home.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
- Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins suffered a mild concussion and will continue to be evaluated.
On the Winnipeg Jets …
- Shane Hnidy: Defenseman Tyler Myers had knee surgery yesterday, and once his rehab is over, he’ll have hip surgery. He’s done for the year and is expected to be ready for training camp.
On the San Jose Sharks …
- Kevin Kurz: Joel Ward hasn’t skated the past two days.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
- Jenn Menendez of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Beau Bennett returned to the Penguins lineup after missing 42 of their past 43 games with a shoulder injury.
On the New Jersey Devils …
- Tom Gulitti of the Record: The Devils have only eight games left, but they are still hopeful that Patrik Elias can return to the lineup. He had knee surgery back on January 12th. Elias and coach John Hynes said they should know by the end of this week if there is still a chance.
“We’re still hoping he’s going to be able to come back,” Hynes said. “As we said. Michael is done for the year, but Patrik is a guy that I think in his mind and our mind, hopefully, he’s going to be able to come back and get back in the lineup. This week, I’m not sure, but, hopefully, in the next two weeks.”
On the Florida Panthers …
- Harvey Fialkov of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Panthers defenseman Willie Mitchell suffered his second serious concussion in the past two seasons earlier this year, and after a brief comeback, he shut it down on January 18th. Mitchell is still deciding on whether to attempt another comeback or retire.
“It’s a decision we’re all seeing what’s best for Willie,” Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said Thursday afternoon. “He’s got to make a decision which he thinks is best for him and for all parties. That’s where we’re at.”
“Obviously, he’s a Stanley Cup champion and a steady influence on those teams, so it’s important, but all our consideration is for his long-term health. … He’s torn obviously, it’s not an easy decision. … It’s up to him basically.”
The 38-year old Mitchell is in the last year of his deal.