Player Notes in the Draft (Oct 9)

In what is being called a minor groin tweak, Florida Panthers goalie, Tim Thomas, left Tuesday night's game against the Flyers in the 1st period and didn't return.  Now we are awaiting further word on the injury and there is some expectation that the team will be calling up Scott Clemmensen to back-up Jacob Markstrom in the team's next game on Thursday night.  Until any further news drops from Florida, he will be considered day-to-day with a groin injury.

Well, this isn't what Ryan M. was hoping for from Thomas this year, but this was exactly what Clayton was hoping for, in terms of who will be tending the Panthers' net for the next little while.  Ryan sits in 12th and Clayton is in 18th after Tuesday night, but this could flip flop soon with this injury news.

The Minnesota Wild are now awaiting word on the health of their number one goalie, Niklas Backstrom, who left last night's game with a leg injury after Eric Nystrom collided with the goalie after being taken down on a breakaway.  Backstrom is still being evaluated by the team and no announcement has been made for any call-ups, which they may have to do before Thursday's game, home to the Winnipeg Jets.

I know that Scott G. will be waiting with bated breath for any new updates, as he sits in 7th place, only 6 points out of 1st place.  If there is any new updates, he'll likely get his own post.

On Tuesday night, Rick Nash left the game after an illegal hit to the head from Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart. Nash has a history of some concussion problems, so the Rangers are likely going to be very careful from one of their prized assets. Stuart, on the other hand, will get a phone call from the Player Safety department and any suspension will likely take the injury into consideration. Nash will be day-to-day until there is an update from the Rangers that says otherwise.

This is likely a good time to hold one's breath for Wyllie, who is likely banking on Nash to have a big season.  Wyllie is off to a decent start, finishing Tuesday in 12th place in the standings, 9 points out of 1st place, but if this injury is for the long-term, it could be problematic.

Word from Senators camp on Wednesday morning, ahead of their game in Los Angeles, is that Jason Spezza's groin problems may be a bit more significant than earlier believed and they might find it in their best interest to sit him and rest him up instead of playing.  Spezza is considered to be questionable for tonight's game against the Kings and if he does miss the game, he will be considered out day-to-day.

Spezza has been dealing with a wonky groin since training camp and did jump into the line-up early this season, but that may have been prematurely done and now he's paying the price for it.

Not good news for Stuart, who is already near the basement of the standings.  If Stuart loses his 2nd round pick in the draft for any length of time with a groin problem, it could be curtains early this season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are getting all kinds of recall happy early on this season, as they have some cap issues and are all over the map with their personnel.  This would be something you would expect to see from a team that may be struggling for wins, but the Leafs only lost their first game last night against the Avalanche.  Nevertheless, in the new set of recalls, defenseman T.J. Brennan was among those coming up from the Marlies and it will be interesting to see if he makes it into the line-up or not, Thursday in Nashville.

Brennan belongs to Wes in the draft, who finished Tuesday night in 9th place, right in the mix in the top half of the standings.  Wes currently sits among the pool average for skater games played thus far this season, so this recall, if it turns into games played, will be a big plus.