On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Tom Gulitti on NHL.com: Forward Bryan Bickell (multiple sclerosis) is getting close to returning. He is targeting their homestand that starts on February 17th.
“I feel good,” Bickell said after a conditioning skate at Verizon Center, where the Hurricanes play the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. “I obviously don’t feel good right now, I just got skated pretty hard, but it’s going to help me down the long run. I think we’re getting there and getting close to getting back in the rotation. We’re shooting for probably after the bye week and then kind of day by day from there.”
He’s been skating for the past month. He gets a monthly IV treatment, with his next one coming next week.
He’s open to a conditioning stint in the AHL if need be, though they haven’t discussed the option yet.
“They haven’t discussed that yet, but if it’s an option I’m sure it would be nice to get some games in down there to prepare myself to jump in the lineup,” he said.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith: Forward Alex Killorn took part in their warmups last night, but wasn’t in the lineup due to an injury.
Joe Smith: Coach Jon Cooper on Killorn’s injury: “That’s a tough one. Hopefully this is just a one game thing.”
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Rob Mixer: Forward Josh Anderson was under concussion protocol and was not given clearance to return to the game.
Rob Mixer: Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said that Brendan Smith‘s hit on Anderson was “definitely a head shot”
On the Philadelphia Flyers …
Adam Kimelman: Forward Travis Konecny is out four to six weeks with a lower-body injury.
On the Boston Bruins …
Steve Conroy: The Bruins put Austin Czarnik on the IR.
Joe Haggerty: Defenseman Zdeno Chara wasn’t on the ice for the Bruins practice yesterday.
