Caps' Niskanen Out Long-Term

Some nasty injuries are really starting to pile up in the hockey pool and another big one hit the Washington Capitals on Friday, as defenseman Matt Niskanen left the game against the Devils with an upper-body ailment, not to return.  There wasn't a lot of post-game updates on the injury, so we were left to the morning to find out more.

On Saturday morning, the Capitals announced that they had placed Niskanen on the Long-Term Injured Reserve, citing the upper-body injury, but that was really the only update.  They know that this is going to be a multiple-week sort of injury and there will be no issue with the 30-year old missing at least 10 games, but there wasn't much more in the way of updates on the condition or even what it is.

The team also recalled Madison Bowey to take his spot on the blueline and there is some suggestion that the Capitals may be in the market for a trade with this injury.

Understandably, this is a considerable loss for Stacey C., who loses a player, albeit not quite as productive as some Capitals, on a productive team. Eventually, some of those points would have the trickle down effect, but it had yet to happen for Niskanen. Nevertheless, Stacey's proxy team has been doing well, tied for 3rd at 41 points, 3 points out of 2nd, but 20 points back of 1st, even without much production from his Capitals defender.  The cries for Waiver Drafts have already begun in earnest.