This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the RinkCurrently, my Rotowire Staff team holds a 6-6 record, which is pretty good considering it got off to a 1-5 start. It's a deep league with 14 teams. Each owner starts with $230 to auction off 12 forwards, six defenseman and two goalies. Seven additional reserves and 10 minor leaguers are also drafted. A total of 12 players with more than 25 games of NHL experience can be protected and the minor leaguers can be kept until they play more than 25 games – then they have to be placed among the 12 keepers.
The categories are pretty much standard and could probably benefit from being updated. Goals count as two points, assists count for 1.5 points, plus-minus count as either 0.50 or -0.50, and penalty minutes 0.15. Goalie wins (3.0) and saves (0.07) accumulate while goals-against deduct points (-0.25). The plus-minus and PIM numbers have counted as categories since the beginning. At some point, hits and blocked shots might take their spots.
With that in mind, here's my team.
With 12 goals and 33 points in 38 games, Daniel Sedin (37b) offers the gift of consistency. His brightest days might be behind him, but the goal-scoring Sedin can still be counted upon to produce. Jamie Benn (13d2014) is already in his fifth NHL season. With 29 points in 35 games, there's a chance he sets a career-high in points. The Dallas forward scored 63 points in 71 games in 2011-12.
Tommy Wingels (1a) has 100 hits and 20 points in 36 contests. With just three points in his last 14, Wingels is becoming a fantasy goat.
Some might suggest James Neal (11d2013) is a fantasy devil after his knee-to-head hit on the angelic Brad Marchand, but with 22 points in 18 games, Neal is having the best point-per-game production of his six NHL seasons. Neal's five goals and seven assists on the power-play are pure fantasy gold. He continues to produce with linemate Evgeni Malkin sidelined. Whenever Malkin returns, Neal becomes even more valuable.
Brian Gionta (5a) is hot and cold more often than the weather in Pittsburgh this winter. For a complementary player, 19 points in 37 games isn't great, but it's not horrible, either. His 6.3 shooting percentage is the lowest in his 12 NHL seasons.
T.J. Oshie (12a) has always had the potential, but staying healthy has been an issue for him. So far, so good in 2013-14 for the St. Louis forward. With four goals and 30 points in 35 games, Oshie isn't scoring goals but Alexander Steen is. Oshie's 7.1 shooting percentage is a career low, but it's doubtful fantasy owners are complaining. We're all crossing fingers, trying to keep the forward – who's celebrating his 27th birthday today – on the ice and out of the infirmary.
Brendan Shanahan probable has an assistant whose main responsibility is to watch Brayden Schenn (3b). Whether it's giving hits or receiving them, the Flyers forward is making waves. Schenn led Philly in points the first couple months, but has fallen off. He's got 19 points in 36 games, but only five assists in his last 14. The meager production hurts fantasy poolies more because his teammates have been producing their best output in recent weeks.
Paul Stastny (5a) finally awoke in Week 12. Fantasy owners would be excused if they benched Stastny last week after a stretch of two points in 11 contests. Some teams started Stastny out of necessity due to injuries (cough, cough) and things have worked out well. The Colorado center had a four-point game Monday and has compiled five points in Week 12. Stastny can help fantasy teams as a secondary scorer and should be approached as such. With 10 goals and 22 points in 33 games, his numbers have leveled off after four seasons of declining numbers.
Alex Galchenyuk (3b) and Brendan Gallagher aren't the pair they were when they primarily played together as rookies, but Galchenyuk is a keeper. Current Canadiens coach, Michel Therrien, has benched his at times, and Team USA coach, Dan Bylsma, recently told the Russian-American that he wished Pittsburgh had been able to draft him. The 19-year-old hasn't been hot since a four-game point streak to open the season, but few players that young are consistent.
Anze Kopitar (24b) is good for a little under a point per game. He's got 30 points (11G, 19A) in 37 games. Too bad shootouts don't count. Kopitar has five power-play goals after going goalless on the man advantage last season.
Brandon Saad (3a) was passed over by every NHL team, proving that drafting is as much an art as it is a science. He's on a perfect team, great linemates and doesn't have pressure on him with the likes of Marian Hossa, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in the mix. Saad has 26 points in 38 games and it seems like a bit much to ask him to continue producing the way he has.
Alex Chiasson (3a) was recommended by experts when he scored nine times in his first 10 NHL games and hasn't gotten much publicity since. Five goals in 32 games will cool the red-hot recommendations. Chiasson isn't on the top line in Dallas right now. It was thought he could become a 20-goal scorer when he was at Boston College and that still sounds pretty accurate.
I also have six active defenseman and two active goalies.
My starting blueliners include Dan Boyle (17a), Raphael Diaz (1a), Dan Girardi (1a), Duncan Keith (25a), Johnny Oduya (1a), Dmitri Orlov (1a).
My starting goalies are Jonas Hiller (5a) and Corey Schneider (5b).
Here's the rest of my bench: Beau Bennett (3a), Reid Boucher (m), Joe Colborne (m), Radek Faksa (m), Dan O'Regan (m), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (m), Rickard Rakell (m), Hunter Shinkaruk (m), Jordan Staal (14d2014), Tom Wilson (m), Alexander Edler (21a), Victor Hedman (14d2015), Joe Morrow (m), Danny Dekeyser (1a).
My other goalies include: Reto Berra (5a), Braden Holtby (3a), Antti Raanta (1a).
Feel free to post your comments. Tell me what you think!
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check our Projected Goalies Grid
Phoenix Coyotes (Mike Smith) at Buffalo Sabres (Ryan Miller), 7:00 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs (James Reimer) at New York Rangers (Henrik Lundqvist), 7:00 PM
Anaheim Ducks (Jonas Hiller) at Washington Capitals (Braden Holtby), 7:00 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets (Curtis McElhinney) at Carolina Hurricanes (Cam Ward), 7:00 PM
Pittsburgh Penguins (Marc-Andre Fleury) at Ottawa Senators (Craig Anderson), 7:30 PM
New York Islanders (Evgeni Nabokov) at Detroit Red Wings (Jonas Gustavsson), 7:30 PM
Tampa Bay Lightning (Ben Bishop) at Florida Panthers (Scott Clemmensen), 7:30 PM
Minnesota Wild (Johan Gustafsson) at Philadelphia Flyers (Steve Mason), 7:30 PM
New Jersey Devils (Martin Brodeur) at Chicago Blackhawks (Antti Raanta), 8:00 PM
Boston Bruins (Tuukka Rask) at Nashville Predators (Carter Hutton), 8:00 PM
St. Louis Blues (Jaroslav Halak) at Calgary Flames (Reto Berra), 8:00 PM
Winnipeg Jets (Ondrej Pavelec) at Edmonton Oilers (Ilya Bryzgalov), 9:30 PM
Dallas Stars (Kari Lehtonen) at Los Angeles Kings (Martin Jones), 10:30 PM
Colorado Avalanche (Semyon Varlamov) at San Jose Sharks (Antti Niemi), 10:30 PM
Injury News For Teams Playing Monday
Phoenix Coyotes
Shane Doan, RW - Doan (illness) has finally gotten a diagnosis and is dealing with a form of Rocky Mountain Fever, reports the Associated Press. He is responding to medication. (12/20/2013)
Zbynek Michalek, D - Michalek (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Friday. (12/20/2013)
Buffalo Sabres
Cody McCormick, C - McCormick, who suffered an injury against Calgary, has a broken finger, reports WGR 550 SportsRadio. (12/21/2013)
Patrick Kaleta, RW - Kaleta suffered a torn right ACL during Friday's game with AHL Rochester, Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News reports. He will miss the rest of the season. (11/30/2013)
Cody Hodgson, C - Hodgson's injury, which will keep him sidelined until January, is a broken finger, reports WGR 550 Sports Radio. (12/21/2013)
Rasmus Ristolainen, D - There's speculation that Ristolainen suffered a concussion after being sucker-punched by AHL Lake Erie's Mitchell Heard on Friday night, reports The Buffalo News. (12/4/2013)
J.T. Compher, C - After suffering a broken foot from blocking a shot, Compher will not travel with Team USA to Sweden for the 2014 World Junior Championships, reports Mike Morreale of NHL.com. (12/18/2013)
Toronto Maple Leafs
Colton Orr, RW - Orr (elbow) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail reports. (12/5/2013)
Paul Ranger, D - Ranger is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Jonas Siegel of TSN Radio 1050 reports. (12/16/2013)
Dave Bolland, C - Bolland has been placed on long-term injured reserve, David Alter of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports. (11/8/2013)
Mason Raymond, LW - Raymond missed Sunday's morning skate with a bruised foot, TSN's Jonas Siegel reports. (12/22/2013)
Trevor Smith, LW - Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said after Tuesday's game against Florida that Smith suffered a broken hand, David Alter of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports. (12/17/2013)
Tyler Bozak, C - Bozak (upper body) was on the ice for Thursday's morning skate, Jonas Siegel of TSN Radio 1050 reports. (12/19/2013)
New York Rangers
Ryan Callahan, RW - Callahan (knee) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, TSN.ca reports. (12/12/2013)
Marc Staal, D - Staal (concussion) resumed skating Saturday, Newsday reports. (12/22/2013)
Anaheim Ducks
Sheldon Souray, D - Souray (wrist) skated before Thursday's practice, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports. (11/21/2013)
Luca Sbisa, D - Sbisa will miss the next six-to-eight weeks after suffering a torn tendon in his right hand in Friday's game, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports. (11/23/2013)
Viktor Fasth, G - Fasth (lower body) has left the Ducks' road trip and returned to Anaheim to increase his activities, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reports. (12/19/2013)
Stefan Noesen, C - Noesen is out for the season with a torn ACL and MCL. (10/14/2013)
Washington Capitals
Tomas Kundratek, D - Kundratek has suffered a torn ACL, which will end his season, Katie Carrera of the Washington Post reports. (11/12/2013)
Michael Latta, C - Latta (lower body) was placed on injured reserve by the Capitals on Tuesday, Katie Carrera of the Washington Post reports. (12/17/2013)
Brooks Laich, C - Laich (groin) skated on his own for the fifth consecutive day Friday, Katie Carrera of the Washington Post reports. (12/20/2013)
Jack Hillen, D - Hillen (leg) was placed on long-term injured reserve by the Capitals on Monday, the Washington Post's Katie Carrera reports. (10/8/2013)
Columbus Blue Jackets
Marian Gaborik, RW - Gaborik suffered a broken collarbone during Saturday's game and will be out indefinitely. (12/21/2013)
Nathan Horton, RW - Horton (shoulder) skated in a regular jersey at practice Friday, Dan Kamal of FOX Sports Ohio reports. (12/20/2013)
Derek MacKenzie, C - MacKenzie (lower body) hopes to return by Christmas, Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch reports. (12/18/2013)
Jack Skille, RW - Skille (hand) was held out of practice Friday, Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch reports. (12/20/2013)
Jared Boll, RW - Boll will miss the next 3-4 months after undergoing surgery on his ankle Monday. (12/17/2013)
Matt Calvert, LW - Calvert has a sprained AC joint in his shoulder and will be out for two to three weeks, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports. (12/22/2013)
Sergei Bobrovsky, G - Bobrovsky (lower body) skated on his own Wednesday morning, Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch reports. (12/18/2013)
Dalton Prout, D - Prout (upper body) will miss at least the next two weeks, Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch reports. (12/18/2013)
Carolina Hurricanes
Jay Harrison, D - Harrison left Saturday's game in the first period after playing seven shifts, according to the Associated Press. He apparently suffered a lower-body injury. (12/21/2013)
Anton Khudobin, G - Khudobin (ankle) remains on injured reserve, but has been medically cleared to play, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. (12/18/2013)
Joni Pitkanen, D - Pitkanen (heel) was placed on long-term injured reserve Tuesday, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. (10/1/2013)
Pittsburgh Penguins
Tomas Vokoun, G - Vokoun (blood clot) hasn't ruled out a return to the Penguins this season. "I feel great. I don't have any health issues," said Vokoun. "It's hard to look that far ahead. Definitely if I can (return) I want to try." (11/30/2013)
Brooks Orpik, D - Orpik (concussion) was on the ice for practice Friday. (12/20/2013)
Paul Martin, D - Coach Dan Bylsma said Martin is dealing with a fractured tibia and will be out for four-to-six weeks, TSN's Mark Masters reports. (11/27/2013)
Robert Scuderi, D - Scuderi (ankle) is expected to return Dec. 27 at Carolina, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. (12/21/2013)
Evgeni Malkin, C - Malkin (leg) will not play Saturday vs. the Flames, Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. (12/20/2013)
Kris Letang, D - Letang (elbow infection) is expected to return Dec. 27 against Carolina, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. (12/21/2013)
Tanner Glass, LW - Glass (hand) was on the ice again Sunday, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. (12/22/2013)
Andrew Ebbett, C - Ebbett has a broken ankle and will be out indefinitely, Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. (12/6/2013)
Deryk Engelland, D - Engelland has been suspended five games for his hit on Detroit's Justin Abdelkader on Saturday, Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. (12/18/2013)
Beau Bennett, RW - Bennett will miss the next 8-10 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair his hand and wrist Monday. (11/25/2013)
Jayson Megna, LW - Megna (lower body) will miss the next six weeks of action for the Penguins. (12/19/2013)
Ottawa Senators
Mika Zibanejad, C - Zibanejad (upper body) was not present during Saturday's practice, Wayne Scanlan of the Ottawa Citizen reports. (12/20/2013)
New York Islanders
Radek Martinek, D - The Islanders placed Martinek on injured reserve Thursday with a back injury, Newday's Arthur Staple reports. (12/12/2013)
Lubomir Visnovsky, D - Visnovsky (concussion) still has no timetable for a return to the ice, according to the Newsday. (12/16/2013)
Detroit Red Wings
Stephen Weiss, C - Weiss has chosen to undergo surgery for a sports hernia and will be out until late-February, MLive.com's Ansar Khan reports. (12/21/2013)
Henrik Zetterberg, LW - Zetterberg (back) skated with the team Thusday for the first time since landing on injured reserve, MLive.com's Ansar Khan reports. (12/19/2013)
Henrik Zetterberg, LW - Zetterberg (back) skated with the team Thusday for the first time since landing on injured reserve, MLive.com's Ansar Khan reports. (12/19/2013)
Jimmy Howard, G - Howard believes there's a 75 percent chance he'll be ready to play for the New Year's Day Winter Classic against the Maple Leafs, MLive.com's Ansar Khan reports. (12/21/2013)
Justin Abdelkader, LW - Abdelkader (head) is aiming to play Monday against the Islanders, MLive.com's Ansar Khan reports. (12/21/2013)
Johan Franzen, C - The Red Wings have ruled Franzen (concussion) out until after the Christmas break, Chuck Pleiness of the Macomb Daily reports. (12/19/2013)
Darren Helm, C - Updating a previous report, Helm (shoulder) said he's now targeting a return to the lineup Monday, according to Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News reports. (12/20/2013)
Gustav Nyquist, C - Nyquist (groin) will be back in the lineup Monday against the Islanders, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports. (12/22/2013)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Mattias Ohlund, D - Ohlund (knee) was placed on long-term injured reserve Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Times reports. (10/2/2013)
Eric Brewer, D - Brewer (upper-body) has already been ruled out for Monday's game, Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune reports. (12/22/2013)
Ryan Malone, LW - Malone (ankle) put in an extensive, on-ice conditioning workout Saturday and could return by early next month, reports the Associated Press. (12/21/2013)
Brian Lee, D - Lee (knee) is still only doing off-ice workouts. (11/9/2013)
Steven Stamkos, C - Stamkos (leg) took part in the team's morning skate but will not play Saturday, Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune reports. (12/14/2013)
Keith Aulie, D - Aulie (broken hand) underwent surgery on Friday, according to the team's official website. (12/6/2013)
Florida Panthers
Jesse Winchester, LW - Winchester (hand) is expected to miss three-to-four weeks, Harvey Fialkov of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. (12/18/2013)
Tim Thomas, G - Thomas (lower body) was on the ice Wednesday for the second consecutive day, Craig Davis of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. (12/19/2013)
Ed Jovanovski, D - Interim coach Pete Horachek said Jovanovski (hip) would be out until after Christmas at the earliest, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports. (12/7/2013)
Minnesota Wild
Josh Harding, G - Harding was placed on injured reserve Wednesday due to a new change in the treatment protocol for his multiple sclerosis. (12/18/2013)
Clayton Stoner, D - Stoner suffered a lower-body injury in Sunday's game against the Rangers, Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reports. (12/22/2013)
Darcy Kuemper, G - Kuemper was not recalled from AHL Iowa as expected due to an undisclosed injury, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. (12/22/2013)
Philadelphia Flyers
Marc-Andre Bourdon, D - Bourdon (concussion) has been placed on the non-roster injured reserve list, CSN Philly's Tim Panaccio reports. (9/30/2013)
Erik Gustafsson, D - Gustafsson is expected to miss about two weeks with a left knee sprain. (12/22/2013)
Nicklas Grossmann, D - Grossman is dealing with flu-like symptoms and will not play Saturday vs. the Blue Jackets, Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. (12/21/2013)
Steve Downie, RW - Downie is dealing with an upper-body injury and will miss the next 7-to-10 days, Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. (12/21/2013)
Chris Pronger, D - Flyers GM Paul Holmgren openly acknowledged Tuesday that Pronger's career is over due to his concussion issues, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "I'll say it; Chris is never going to play again," Holmgren said. "I have no problems saying it." (10/15/2013)
New Jersey Devils
Bryce Salvador, D - Salvador (foot) will join the Devils on their road trip set to begin Saturday in Washington, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. (12/20/2013)
Ryane Clowe, LW - Clowe (concussion) will not play Saturday vs. the Capitals, Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record reports. (12/21/2013)
Ryan Carter, C - Carter (leg) resumed skating at Saturday's practice, Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record reports. (12/21/2013)
Peter Harrold, D - Harrold (foot) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record reports. (12/12/2013)
Andrei Loktionov, C - Loktionov (illness) will not play Saturday vs. the Capitals, Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record reports. (12/21/2013)
Adam Larsson, D - Larsson (lower body) has been able to skate the last couple of days, Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record reports. (12/21/2013)
Damien Brunner, C - Brunner will be out for at least four weeks after suffering a knee injury during Friday's game, Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger reports. (12/21/2013)
Chicago Blackhawks
Brad Mills, C - Mills (lower body) was waived by the Blackhawks on Friday, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports. (11/15/2013)
Corey Crawford, G - Crawford (lower leg) is close to returning as Blackhawks' coach Joel Quenneville said that "he's not that far away," on Sunday, the Chicago Tribune reports. (12/22/2013)
Nikolai Khabibulin, G - Khabibulin (groin), who has been out since Nov. 16, is still "a way" from returning to the ice, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said on Friday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. (12/7/2013)
Boston Bruins
Marc Savard, C - The Bruins are expected to place Savard (concussion) on Long-Term Injured Reserve, Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe reports. (7/6/2013)
Daniel Paille, LW - Paille (concussion) was on the ice for the Bruins' Sunday morning skate, Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe reports. (12/22/2013)
Shawn Thornton, LW - Thornton will appeal his 15-game suspension, the Boston Globe reports. (12/16/2013)
Loui Eriksson, RW - Eriksson, who suffered a concussion back on Dec. 7, remains out indefinitely, the Boston Herald reports. "We're careful with that," GM Peter Chiarelli noted Wednesday. "I talked to Loui a little bit (Monday). He's coming along, but he's still experiencing symptoms." (12/19/2013)
Chris Kelly, C - Kelly (leg) was placed on long-term injured reserve Sunday. (12/8/2013)
Adam McQuaid, D - McQuaid (lower body) will not play Saturday vs. the Sabres. (12/21/2013)
Dougie Hamilton, D - Hamilton (lower body) skated on his own Saturday morning. (12/21/2013)
Nashville Predators
Seth Jones, D - Jones left Saturday's game and will not return, after getting hit in the face with a puck, the Tennessean's Joshua Cooper reports. (12/21/2013)
Pekka Rinne, G - Rinne (hip) will remain under limited activity for the next two weeks. (12/20/2013)
St. Louis Blues
Jordan Leopold, D - Leopold (hand) has been able to increase his skating and conditioning activities in recent days, NHL.com's Lou Korac reports. (12/20/2013)
Alexander Steen, C - Steen (upper body) is not expected to play Monday against the Flames, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. (12/22/2013)
Roman Polak, D - Polak will miss at least two weeks with an ankle injury, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. (12/21/2013)
Vladimir Sobotka, RW - Sobotka (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Friday. (12/20/2013)
Ryan Reaves, RW - Reaves (hand) has resumed skating, and hopes to be cleared to shoot soon, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. (12/19/2013)
Calgary Flames
Patrick Sieloff, D - Sieloff is at home in Ann Arbor, Mich., recovering from a staph infection, the Calgary Herald reports. (11/22/2013)
Curtis Glencross, LW - Glencross (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Sunday, Aaron Vickers of NHL.com reports. (12/22/2013)
Dennis Wideman, D - Wideman has a fractured hand and will miss 6-8 weeks. He was placed on injured reserve Thursday. (11/28/2013)
Kris Russell, D - Russell left Saturday's game against the Penguins with a lower-body injury and will not return. (12/21/2013)
Winnipeg Jets
Jim Slater, C - Slater (sports hernia) resumed skating Thursday morning, Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press reports. (12/5/2013)
Mark Stuart, D - Stuart left Sunday's game against the Canucks with a lower body injury, Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun reports. (12/22/2013)
Matt Halischuk, RW - Halischuk (forearm) was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 14 by the Jets on Monday. (12/16/2013)
Grant Clitsome, D - Clitsome (undisclosed) will not play Friday vs. the Panthers. (12/20/2013)
Paul Postma, D - Postma (blood clot) took part in some light skating at Wednesday's practice, according to TSN's Sara Orlesky. (12/12/2013)
Anthony Peluso, RW - Peluso has been suspended three games for his hit on the Stars' Alex Goligoski on Saturday, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports. (12/15/2013)
Edmonton Oilers
Mark Arcobello, RW - Arcobello (ribs) appears unlikely to play Saturday vs. the Blues. (12/21/2013)
Ryan Jones, LW - Updating an earlier report, Jones (undisclosed) was unconscious for almost 10 minutes after running into teammate Andrew Ferrence at practice on Saturday morning, according to a report on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. (12/21/2013)
Dallas Stars
Sergei Gonchar, D - Gonchar has concussion-like symptoms and is expected to miss 7-10 days, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports. (12/22/2013)
Stephane Robidas, D - Robidas underwent surgery Saturday to repair a broken fibia and will be out for the next four to six months, TSN's Darren Dreger reports. (11/30/2013)
Ryan Garbutt, C - Garbutt is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is questionable to play Saturday vs. the Sharks, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports. (12/20/2013)
Trevor Daley, D - Daley (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Friday. (12/6/2013)
Aaron Rome, D - Rome (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Friday, with a retroactive date of Dec. 16. (12/20/2013)
Los Angeles Kings
Jonathan Quick, G - Quick (groin) isn't experiencing as much pain as he was a week ago but admits he's not ready to return to game action, the LA Kings Insider reports. "Every day you kind of push it a little more and more. It's almost at the point where you're looking for the pain. You're trying to find it. It's a good sign when you're trying to look for it and you're not getting it, you know? Obviously there's still a lot of work to do, but everything's been going in the right direction. We've just got to keep going here. There's a lot of work still to be done," he said. (12/22/2013)
Willie Mitchell, D - Mitchell (upper body) was back on the ice for Wednesday's optional skate, Elliott Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News reports. (12/18/2013)
Colorado Avalanche
Alex Tanguay, LW - Tanguay (knee) indicated he was feeling better Saturday but remains without a timetable for his return, Adrian Dater of the Denver Post reports. (12/14/2013)
Ryan Wilson, D - Wilson (back) will not play Saturday vs. the Kings, Mike Chambers of the Denver Post reports. (12/21/2013)
San Jose Sharks
Tomas Hertl, C - GM Doug Wilson said Hertl will undergo more tests over the next few days to determine the severity of his injury, Curtis Pashelka of the San Jose Mercury News reports. (12/21/2013)
Raffi Torres, LW - Torres (knee) skated on his own Tuesday, the David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports. (10/22/2013)
Adam Burish, RW - Burish will undergo back surgery in the coming days and is out indefinitely, CSN Bay Area's Kevin Kurz reports. (10/16/2013)
Hot
Pascal Dupuis – If you haven't noticed, Dupuis is no longer a dud. He's riding a four-game point streak and seven points (4G, 3A) in 10 December contests. He's looks confident on the ice, perhaps a sign that a former injury is all better now.
Jussi Jokinen – If you guessed he has the third-highest power-play assist total over the last two weeks, then you either are a Pens fans or already have him on your team. Jokinen has registered four helpers on the man advantage. With Pittsburgh's injuries, he's also manning a power-play point for the time being. Even when he gets bumped off the top unit, Jokinen will skate with James Neal and Evgeni Malkin, whenever Malkin returns.
Mark Giordano –Four goals and 15 points in 18 games. Really? What happened to Giordano and Robin Regehr on the Flames' backline picking up 20 points in an entire season? Giordano's better than that, but what he's doing now is off the chart. His name might be next to the definition of "sell high."
Cold
Sergei Gonchar – He's been on the hot list so many times since last Monday, I thought I'd be the first to make him cold, too. Actually, a concussion that is expected to sideline "Sarge" for 7-10 days gives him his frosty status.
Cory Conacher – Two goals and eight points in 36 games. That's production from a defenseman not a forward. We won't even mention that goalie who went to Tampa Bay for Conacher. The Sens play Pittsburgh on Monday and Clarke MacArthur gets his shot to add to his point total (23 in 24 games) versus the Pens.
Stephen Weiss – Detroit signed him for five years at $4.9 million per year in the summer of 2013. Think the team might regret that deal, amnesty anyone? Weiss is nowhere near the four-point, 26-game player he's showed with the Red Wings, but he has a lot to prove when he returns from hernia surgery after the Olympics.
Recommended Pickup
Eddie Lack – Roberto Luongo left Sunday's game with the dreaded lower-body injury. Luongo didn't even stick around to sit on the bench. There's no immediate word on Luongo's status, but why not pick Lack up right away? I already stopped writing this article to nab him in one league and TSN's Scott Cullen beat me to him.
