On the Dallas Stars …
Dallas Stars: The Stars put forward Jason Spezza on the IR with an upper-body injury retroactive to February 2nd.
On the Anaheim Ducks …
Curtis Zupka: Defenseman Sami Vatanen didn’t practice yesterday. They don’t think his lower-body injury is long-term, but he not close to returning.
On the Winnipeg Jets …
Ken Wiebe: Coach Paul Maurice said they’ll have a better update on Ondrej Pavelec tomorrow morning. Defenseman Ben Chiarot could be an option for Friday.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Jon Abbott: Coach Willie Desjardins said that Sven Baertschi can travel with the team. No status update was given.
On the Los Angeles Kings …
Lindsay Czarnecki: Sounding like prospect Michael Mersch (knee) is still five to six weeks away from returning according to the Kings hockey ops source.
On the Colorado Avalanche …
Terry Frei: Forward Matt Nieto blocked a Shea Weber slap shot with his leg Tuesday night. He didn’t practice yesterday. Coach Jared Bednar said he wasn’t seriously injured.
“He got hit, X rays were negative,” Bednar said. “He got hit kind of more in the calf, I guess, so he didn’t skate today. He’s pretty sore but we’ll see what he’s like tomorrow. I would say there’s a chance he could play tomorrow. He’ll be in, in the morning and probably go for a skate on his own. To be able to come out of that one, even if he has to miss a game, that’s better than what some of the other alternatives could be.”
Tyson Barrie skated yesterday in a no-contact jersey. He’s missed the past six of eight games with a lower-body injury, but could be able to go.
BSN Avalanche: If defenseman Tyson Barrie is able to return tomorrow, and Matt Nieto isn’t able to go, the Avs could go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
