Player Notes in the Draft (Oct 3)

On Thursday afternoon, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler was reportedly helped off the ice in practice.  Early indications are that of a lower-body injury, as he wasn't putting any weight on one of his legs on the way off the ice.  The coaching and training staff don't believe that the injury is too serious, but it sounds like Fowler will be held out of Saturday's preseason game and should be likely for the team's opener, away to Pittsburgh, a week today.

Wilton became a healthy team again on Wednesday night, but this injury has a small bit of concern in his side.  Wilton was last season's 3rd place finisher, 2013's 2nd place finisher and 2012's 21st place finisher.  It's all or nothing, it seems, for Derek.

As we grow closer and closer to the start of the regular season, it sounds like Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson may not be ready to go for puck drop. The Leafs will open the NHL calendar with a date with the Habs and the 27-year old defender's knee injury may keep him out. Franson will remain out day-to-day with his bruised knee, but since he hasn't returned to the ice, since the injury, it does seem less and less likely that he'll be ready for Wednesday.

This injury couldn't be much more than another week off, likely due to discomfort more than structural damage, otherwise, more would have been made of the injury, I'm sure.  Cam's first team in the hockey pool may miss out on a game or two, but it shouldn't be more than that.

It also sounds like Jonathan Drouin won't be ready to go for opening night for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who open their schedule on Thursday against division rivals from within the state.  The highly-touted rookie will be kept from the line-up until his fractured thumb is 100%, which is likely going to be about a week into the season, so it isn't the end of the world for the Bolts.

Droun doesn't qualify under the rules of the preseason Waiver Draft, not that Dale C. would choose to drop him at this time, but he was injured previous to the draft, just serving as a reminder.  Looks like he may miss a couple games, possibly another one or two in Week Two as well.

On Monday, there was a note about New York Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky leaving practice with back spasms and as of Friday, he has yet to return to the ice for practice or preseason action, which is beginning to shade some doubt on his availability for next week's opening night.  The Islanders only have one more preseason game remaining on the schedule, which goes tonight against the Bruins in Bridgeport, CT, and it doesn't sound like he'll be dressing for it.

It sounds like Allan is considering a move for his other injured defenseman, but I would imagine he's also waiting to hear some more definitive news on Visnovsky, hoping that he doesn't have to drop a couple of veteran offensive defensemen.  That would be a huge loss to the start of the regular season.

Another note from Leafs camp... at practice on Thursday, their number one player, Phil Kessel, left early with some tightness in his body, according to the coaching staff.  It had been determined on Friday morning, that it is a lower-body injury, but if it is only tightness, it shouldn't be considered too serious.  I'm sure everyone is going to hear about it before too long, so it should make it to the list, I guess.  I would expect him in the line-up for opening night.

This shouldn't be a real concern for Tony and his 10th overall pick in the draft.  Tony is already considering a move for another injury and I'm sure he doesn't want the headache of dropping his 1st round pick.

An updated list of injuries can be found here.