- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman is out indefinitely with a leg hematoma. Wideman was hit in the leg by Tuomo Ruutu on Tuesday, muscle damage appears limited.
Blood was drained from his leg to alleviate pressure, he’s been sending pictures to teammates. A hematoma occurs when blood leaks from a broken blood vessel, artery or capillary into tissue where it doesn’t belong, such as a muscle. It can result in compartment syndrome, which involves increased pressure in a muscle compartment that can lead to permanent muscle or nerve damage.
Mike Knuble said Wideman could be out 2 weeks or more. John Erskine left last night’s game and is day-to-day.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Chris Pronger’s broken right hand is not healing as fast as they thought, and he probably won’t get into another regular season game. They had hoped to get him into a game next week. Jody Shelley is healing quickly and could return next week. Brian Boucher is expected to start today against the Devils.
- Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: The Flames quest for the playoffs this year are likely over. Ales Kotalik and Niklas Hagman are not likely to be back next year. Alex Tanguay and Curtis Glencross will be UFA’s at seasons end. If Glencross is looking for a 5 year deal, he may have to look elsewhere. Jarome Iginla has 2 more year left on his contract, and hasn’t given any indication he “wants to seek greener pastures.” Miikka Kiprusoff has 3 years left at a $5.833 cap hit, so he’s not that attractive to other teams, especially if they’d want a good return.Vicki Hall of the Calgary Herald: Ales Kotalik was sent back to the minors yesterday afternoon. He has 1 more year left at $3 million. Daymond Langkow could play tonight, a year since he suffered broken vertebrae.
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Sidney Crosby practiced with teammates yesterday. There is no timetable for his return, and GM Ray Shero doesn’t see that he’ll be given clearance to return before the end of the regular season.
“Whether you’re coming back from injury going into the playoffs or it’s the regular season, you’ve got to make sure that you’re healthy,” Crosby said. “It’s a matter for me of making sure that I’m healthy. If that takes two months, then it takes two months. If it doesn’t, great. I can’t really control that.
“I’ve just got to do the right things to try to feel good and get back to where I need to be. I’m not looking too far ahead at all. I’m just trying to look at these little opportunities as a good chance to get back with the guys. At the same time, it’s a small step with a lot to go.”
- Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Thrashers are planning on alternating goalies down the stretch. Chris Mason started last night, Ondrej Pavelec could start Saturday and back with Mason next week versus Nashville.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche should know next week if Adam Foote is able to get back in the lineup before he retires from the NHL. Peter Budaj will start in net for the Avs tonight.
