Kesler’s future could be in doubt
Elliott Teaford of the OC Register: Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray said yesterday that he planned on meeting with his medical staff and Ryan Kesler to discuss his hip issues and possibly his future playing hockey.
It’s likely that Kesler won’t play another game this season, and it’s possible that he won’t play another NHL game.
“I’m concerned with his quality of life going forward,” Murray said. “I’m not worried about hockey whatsoever right now. Can we all understand that? I’m concerned with his quality of life. … We’ve got to get him to get control of everything he’s doing in order to play.
“Sometimes it may not be the best thing going forward. I think he’s there (shutting it down for the season). The agent and I both have agreed to have a sit-down. It’s hard. He’s a competitor. You’ve got to convince some of these guys that there is life after hockey.”
Forward Patrick Eaves is suffering weakness again, with symptoms similar to the illness that kept him out last year.
“There’s no new diagnosis or anything,” Murray said of the exam. “This is a very troubling situation and everybody’s doing the best they can with it. He’s struggling again with everything. It’s a little bit like ‘Kes.’ We hope he gets better so he has a normal life.”
Caggiula not traveling
Scott Powers: Chicago Blackhawks forward Drake Caggiula is not traveling with the team.
Bobrovsky questionable
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic: Columbus Blue Jackets Sergei Bobrovsky is questionable for Sunday.
Defenseman Ryan Murray is still out indefinitely.
Kreider out
New York Rangers: Coach David Quinn said that forward Chris Kreider is day-to-day and won’t play tonight.
Defenseman Marc Staal is feeling better with Quinn saying they will see how he feels today.
Gunnarsson getting close
Jeremy Rutherford: St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube said that defenseman Carl Gunnarsson is getting closer to returning. Defenseman Joel Edmundson was given a maintenance day.
Dermott a couple of practices away … Gardiner skates
Kristen Shilton: Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen Jake Gardiner and Travis Dermott were on the ice yesterday. It was Gardiner’s first time back on the ice since they announced his back injury on February 27th.
Dave McCarthy of NHL.com: Travis Dermott on how close he is to returning.
“Probably a couple of more practices, just seeing how it feels day-to-day and kind of working off that,” he said. “I’m still working hard on my therapy and trying to make sure I’m nice and strong before I come back.”
Hughes has a bad bone bruise
TSN Radio Vancouver: Vancouver Canucks coach Travis Green on Quinn Hughes: “CT scan is negative. He’s got a pretty bad bone bruise and he’ll skate when he can. I’d like to play him, but we’re not just going to…he hasn’t skated in a while and he’s going to have to skate for a bit and be comfortable before he goes in the lineup:
Fleury misses another practice
Jesse Granger: Vegas Golden Knights GM Marc-Andre Fleury missed his seventh consecutive practice yesterday.
Kempny out indefinitely
JJ Regan: Washington Capitals coach Todd Reider said they will be without defenseman Michal Kempny indefinitely. He said it was too early to give a timetable for his return.
