Player Notes in the Draft (Nov 14)

The St. Louis Blues didn't exactly need a boost, with the hot streak they are on, but they got a key healthy body back in their line-up on Thursday night, as T.J. Oshie returned from his concussion and made an immediate impact, picking up the opening goal against the Nashville Predators in the Blues' 4-3 win.

The pool's worst forwards and team with the least amount of skater games played, Benson's team, got a boost with the return of Oshie on Thursday.  Oshie played in his ninth game and picked up his first goal of the season and that seemed to wake up a few more of his players, including both of his goalies, who picked up wins as well.  Benson's team has already doubled the total number of points they had in Week Five.

With only 1 assist in 15 games, ranking 602nd in pool scoring, Dallas Stars forward Ales Hemsky hit the news page as a healthy scratch, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given those numbers.  Hemsky was brought on board in Dallas to provide some secondary scoring behind the big line, but that hasn't happened yet for the Stars, so it was time for a press box visit.  There is no indication of how long he will be up there, but a 2-0 victory over the Kings without Hemsky in the line-up, could justify another night off.

Hemsky is a clear favourite for a Waiver Draft drop on Brenda & Seward's team, although he does have some competition for the moniker, when the opportunity comes around.  The pool's second duo has a team ripe with underachievers this year, which explains their current 21st place standing.

Although there was no real confirmation of the sort, it sounded like Los Angeles defenseman Alec Martinez left last night's game against the Stars with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot in the game.  All of the reports after the game were vague, as usual from the Kings, but suggested that the injury was not serious.  Martinez ended up missing out on half the game, which could have been argued that he was needed, as the Kings were shutout.  We'll have him listed as day-to-day, if he misses any more time and we don't see any more updates.

This is rounds out a rough night for Brenda & Seward, who may be facing time with another injury.  Their team already has a couple of longer term injuries on the list, so if there is anything more to this injury, it would likely do its best to keep the pool's second duo in the relative area of the basement.

The Islanders are set for another body to return to their line-up, as they activated forward Josh Bailey from the Injured Reserve on Thursday night. Bailey is coming off a broken bone in his hand and should be in the line-up for the Islanders & Panthers game tonight. Bailey missed the last eight games with the injury and he'll be a good addition to a team that has been rolling well, even in his absence.

Bailey had 4 points in his first eight games before the injury and his return will be a big boost to Scott's line-up, which will go into Friday's action in 15th place, 16 points out of the money.  Scott has been hovering around 14th & 15th in the standings this season and could really use a lift.


An updated list of injuries can be found here.