Around the League

Tm	Player	Pos	NOTES
	Jason Spezza	C	Left practice early Wednesday due to 'bumps and bruises'. Already disappointing fantasy GM's with paltry totals early on, adding an injury concern to his somewhat fragile body (full season in '08-9 first in career). Still yet to hit the twine (7-0-4-4), he's riding a three-game assist streak, which includes a game without a shot on goal, something he will do periodically. He'll need to increase the shooting but has been praised for his overall game and diligence to the defensive game, an oddity .. Spezza backchecking ?
	Marc Savard	C	Placed on the LTIR on Wednesday with a broken foot missing 4-6 weeks, a huge blow to the already struggling Bruins along with depleted scoring punch and Milan Lucic out the same amount of time with a broken finger. Started the season on a mission (7-4-3-7) to make the Canadian Olympic team and will now be replaced by an improving David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron tandem. His vision and talent can't be made up, but could be replaced in spurts. Watch for a fading Michael Ryder, and Blake Wheeler.
	Sergei Gonchar	D	Has a broken bone near his hand/wrist and will be gone 4-6 weeks in the second straight season with a major injury. Is a trooper playing through delirious knee pain in the playoffs, but will likely take the required time to heal completely. His hands are what separate him from the rest of the bunch, coupled with vision and skating ability, and the Penguins middling power play (8-for-39, 20.5%) will suffer. Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski , a season more experienced should be taking up most of the slack on the blueline during his absence but don't be surprised to see Evgeni Malkin take a stab as the point man.
	Sheldon Souray	D	Has started exercise without a determined date of when he will start skating. He's out for the long haul, and will require a long term solution. Make sure to keep Dennis Grebeshkov activated.
	Thomas Vanek	LW	Returned to the lineup in the 5-2 win over the Panthers, scoring his fourth goal on three shots and ending a plus-2. Should be activated throughout different leagues, and in fact, if he remains healthy, along with the revitalized Sabres making their early efforts to bank points for a late-season playoff run. Expect Vanek to be a big part of that run.
	Brad Richards	C	Already fighting through two wrist injuries last season, the rejuvenated pivot (7-3-6-9) sat out Monday's game against Los Angeles due to a strained groin for a few more days healing time but didn't make it into the lineup in the 4-2 win over the Ducks. Has fit well into a more clearly defined role this season rather than expectations from the past, while playing with youngsters Jamie Benn and James Neal in his early season success. Be mindful that he is a perpetual injury risk.
	Pavel Datsyuk	C	Likely returns to the lineup on Thursday's away game versus the Coyotes after practicing. His early season struggle (5-0-2-2, minus-1 with 10 SOG) is an eerie reminder of injury-plagued playoffs where he labored offensively (16-1-8-9). The common sign is the over handling the puck early on, while neglecting prime shooting opportunities, just like in the postseason. This could be a frustrating season for Datsyuk's fantasy owners.
	Jason Arnott	C	Will miss one to two weeks with a left shoulder/arm injury. Was second on the Predators in scoring, and is a bump in the Nashville offense. The absence thrusts pointless David Legwand - who registered an assist in 18 minutes against Boston - into a more prominent scoring position, while he's still struggles to satisfy offensive potential. Don't count out an audition of Colin Wilson who scored in the 3-2 loss to the Bruins on Wednesday. Fitness and tenacity could fill a role up front temporarily, and with the play of Patric Hornqvist (8-2-5-7) if they stick together, the audition could prove fruitful.
	Phil Kessel	RW	It wouldn't be an injured list without the mention of the yet-to-make his debut Leafs winger. Resumed skating and participated in practice without contact or shooting. Is about 2-3 weeks away from joining the Leafs and it couldn't be a moment too soon for most fans and some fantasy GM's. Is like to participate in about 60-65 games with the prospect of trying to do everything to justify the price paid to acquire him. Bank about a goal every third game for 20 on the season, and hope for more.
	Martin Havlat	LW	Returned to the lineup in the 3-2 shootout win over the Avalanche, playing over 22 minutes and seemed to be over the groin issue that kept him out of the lineup. While Petr Sykora is still not slated in to return any time soon, the Wild's anemic offense couldn't be without their best scorer for a prolonged period of time. Looks like any ill effects aren't warranted here, but tread careful with the fragile winger.
	Dennis Wideman	D	Returned to the lineup with seconds less than 20 minutes without recording a point in the 3-2 win over the Predators, after missing three games with a shoulder injury. He didn't record a point and aside from three second period shots, wasn't a factor. Will be relied upon for more mobility in the back end with the deficiency up front and struggled before when thrust into a role over his head in his first full season in Boston. Be weary of a drop in production all round.
	J.S. Giguere	G	Left practice and didn't play against the Stars on Wednesday, while the Ducks called up recently acquired, Justin Pogge to back up Jonas Hiller . 'Giggy' is considered day-to-day but if Pogge sticks around until past the weekend, could even play his former team, Toronto, on Monday next week when former GM, Brian Burke returns to Anaheim for the first time as GM of the Leafs. The drama continues.

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