Player Notes in the Draft (Jan 1)

Admittedly, Mason Raymond wasn't playing up to his own personal standards since returning from injury a couple of weeks ago and on Wednesday night, he was a healthy scratch for the Calgary Flames in their New Year's match-up against the Oilers.  In 20 games this season for the Flames, Raymond only has 5 goals and 2 assists, well down in his usual scoring amounts this season and has had his fair share of injury problems as well.

Not good news for Leo, who is watching his team continue to sink in the standings, as they are on the verge of dropping into 20th and below in the next couple weeks.  Leo's team has been steady in 19th over the last couple of weeks.

An undisclosed lower-body injury sidelined Tampa Bay defenseman Radko Gudas on Wednesday night, keeping him from the Lightning game against the Sabres.  Gudas has been an occasional scratch this season, but had seen some steady appearances in the lineup before the injury.  This season, the 24-year old Czech defender has 2 goals and 3 assists in 31 games.

The hottest team in the second segment, belonging to Brenda & Seward, lost a game from one of their defenders on Wednesday night and there is no indication as to when Gudas may be back.  The blueline for the pool's second duo has not bee good this season, amassing only 38 points, well below the pool average of 58.

The New Year's Eve games really brought back a number of players from the dead... NHL player apocalypse!  The zombies have risen!  No, I kid.

Corey Perry of the Ducks returned from a knee injury, much to the delight of Dale C..  Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic each missed one game for the Bruins this week and returned on Wednesday night and Grant K. and Dale B. couldn't be happier.  Josh Jooris missed a few games for the Flames with a lower-body injury and Wyllie got a body back.  Sergei Bobrovsky had a start after coming back from a stomach bug, picking up a win for the Blue Jackets and Wilton in the process.  There was no start for Niklas Backstrom, but he came back from an illness as well, possibly getting a start soon, something Brian could use.  Michael Del Zotto had been a healthy scratch a number of times for the Flyers, but finally saw some time in the line-up, only to receive a huge gash on his neck in the game... no word if Allan's defenseman will miss more time after that.  Christian Ehrhoff was taken off the IR and dressed for the Penguins, giving Brian another body back in his line-up, sadly with no points.  Finally, in Toronto, a couple of returns, as Leo Komarov finally played a game since the beginning of December, after suffering a concussion, while Jonathan Bernier got a start and win for the Leafs against the Bruins, coming back from an illness of his own.  Grant K. and Troy each picked up some points, good news for them!

An updated list of injuries can be found here.