Player Notes in the Draft (Nov 14)

Goaltender participation in the pool is becoming more and more difficult, as the injuries are beginning to mount. On Wednesday night, Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom was forced from the game, due to an upper-body injury, in the 1st period. Backstrom was hit by the Leafs' Nazem Kadri, played for another minute or two and then left the ice under his own power.  Kadri has been summoned to face the Department of Player Safety today (Thursday), in regards to this hit.  There was no word on the severity of the injury, but there has to be some concern about a concussion.

This is not good news for Scott G., who has Backstrom in the pool this year.  Scott's goaltending has been good, when it plays, as it ranks 2nd in the pool for points for every 60 minutes played (1.554), but only ranks 11th in minutes played (1,120).  Scott finished Wednesday night in 10th place, 6 points out of the prizes.

There is some mild concern for Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green, who had missed practice on Wednesday, due to a lower-body injury.  Green has been a productive member of the Capitals this season, picking up 11 assists in the first 19 games of the season, ranking 145th in scoring, through Wednesday.  Green is questionable for Friday's game in Detroit and it will likely depend on how he feels on Thursday.  There is also the chance that there are some maintenance days in here as well, but these days off are suggesting that he isn't playing at 100%.

Green was drafted 76th overall, in the 4th round, by the pool-leading duo of Kristy & Don and are not quite getting their pick value out of him quite yet.  Green was the 6th defenseman taken in the draft, but ranks 15th in defenseman scoring thus far.