More Player Notes in the Draft (Dec 2)

The Chicago Blackhawks won't have goaltender Corey Crawford in net on Wednesday night against the Blues, as he has reportedly suffered a lower-body injury in an off-ice incident. Indeed, the team has announced that Antti Raanta will be the expected starter for the game and that Crawford will be listed as out day-to-day.  If Crawford is going to be out for any extended period, we'll have it on the blog.

We'll consider this a missed start for Dale C., who is not only chasing down the top two teams, but defending his position in the last money position.  A lost goalie start, albeit one against a tough team like the Blues, has potential to sting his numbers.

It sounds like the Senators are sending Patrick Wiercioch back to the press box tonight, when they take on the Islanders on Long Island. With only 4 points in 15 games, one might begin to wonder if he is struggling, because he hasn't seen much playing time or he's not getting much playing time, because he's struggling. It's not for us to judge, but I suppose that can't stop us from debating that idea.

More bad news for Dale C., another missed game this year.  His team is still 26 games clear of Benson for the Jordan bobblehead, but these missed games in the middle of the year are the kind of thing that can keep a guy's team from winning money, let alone the big prize at the end.

Reports were rampant on Tuesday morning that the Philadelphia Flyers were going to scratch veteran forwrad Vincent Lecavalier that evening, foregoing an appearance in San Jose to face the Sharks. The Flyers have been struggling (understatement of the year candidate) and management isn't going to make any rash decisions on personnel, so it's down to the coaching staff to try and work their magic. Their trick for this evening... make Lecavalier disappear!  It seems doubtful that this move will do much, but if it leads to a win, look for Lecavalier sit more.

When you're the champ, everyone is out to get you... and this year, that includes Allan's own team.  Allan's skater games are hovering around the pool average, but if Lecavalier sits longer, his team could drop below quickly and then the 29 points between his team and the basement may shrink just as fast.

The Penguins are hosting the Devils tonight at the Igloo and they may be doing so without their best player, as Sidney Crosby is questionable with an illness.  He is apparently under the weather and will likely be a game-time decision, same as non-pool defender, Robert Bortuzzo.  The Penguins have made a couple of call-ups, just in case neither can go.

The 1st overall pick in this year's draft, currently ranks 4th overall in pool points going into tonight's game and won't improve that ranking with a game on the shelf.

An updated list of injuries can be found here.