Draft Player News (Dec. 30)

A rut in the ice caught Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene by surprise in a quick stopping motion and it appears that Duchene suffered an injury in the incident. Duchene had to leave the game against the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2nd period and he wasn't able to return.  The last word that I had seen before this post was that he is due for an MRI on Friday and I would imagine that he would be listed as doubtful for Saturday's game in Anaheim.  Let's call him day-to-day, until there is an update from the team.

In the draft, you have to know that Dale C. is holding his breath waiting for positive news, as he is in the mix for the money, dropping down to 5th place on Thursday night.  Missing a game wouldn't be too bad, since there is still a gap between 5th and 6th, but if this is a long-term problem, this could be huge.

Dallas Stars captain Brendan Morrow reportedly suffered a knee injury after taking a puck to his left leg, a knee that has seen its share of problems over the last couple of seasons.  Morrow left the game in the 3rd period and was not able to return and is scheduled to be re-evaluated on Friday, likely with an update coming either late in the afternoon or on Saturday morning, before they face the Boston Bruins in a New Year's Eve tilt.  It may be fair to also consider him doubtful for Saturday's game, but he'll also be listed as day-to-day until further notice.

Morrow belongs to Benson G. in the draft this year, who's team has hovered in the middle of the standings for the better part of the year.  Benson currently stands in 9th place, only 26 points out of the money, but if this injury is something a little more long-term, then this could hurt his chances of staying in the top 10, let alone jumping up in the morning.

Things haven't been getting much better in the desert and Derek Morris knows this first hand, as he was a healthy scratch again for the club, knowing full well that he has got to be much better for his team, instead of being a candidate for staying up in the press box for games.  Morris only has 7 assists in 35 games this season, which is very poor for him and the Coyotes are trying to spark something in him with the move upstairs.

Morris belongs to Darren S. in the pool this year and his team is currently in the running for the Basement Dweller again in Week Thirteen, with only 8 points through Thursday's action.  The gap between himself and 21st in the standings is now 21 points.

An awkward fall into the boards on Tuesday night against the Flyers is the reported cause of Victor Hedman's upper-body injury, which kept him out of Thursday night's game against the Canadiens.  There is no immediate timetable for the young defenseman's return to the line-up, which obviously means there is no word on his availability for Saturday night's game at home to Carolina.  This is all we know at the moment.

Allan S.'s team plays host to Hedman in the pool this season and his team is having a bit of a drop-off week, as his team has only collected 7 points this week.  Allan's team was trying to climb back into the top 10 with a good week after a meteoric fall down to 14th from the money.  An injured Hedman just adds to a very poor performance from his blueline this year.