I know that's weird but hey, I figured if Square-Enix could replace title from Final Fantasy 10 to Final Fantasy X, I figured I have some precedent to use it. :)
I don't have much for headlines but just some general observations I wanted to throw out to everyone.
First, is it me or has it not been a very good year for some top 20 goaltenders this season? Ilya Bryzgalov, Ryan Miller (yes, he's been injured but he hasn't improved so far this season), Tomas Vokoun, Pekka Rinne, and Cam Ward come to mind right away. Oh sure, some are winning games like crazy but their averages are just horrid. I can understand why teams want to keep playing these guys because they've made some kind of heavy investment in them (the lone exception being the Capitals on Vokoun). Since teams continue to confide in these goaltenders to keep them in the game, so should you thus far into the season. There's a reason you drafted some of the goalies that high and it's best at this point to ride out your investment.
More after the jump...
Second, it seems the three teams that made some coaching changes two weeks ago are still in the adjustment period. Not one of the three teams has a winning record since the move and only the Capitals are ahead due to a .500 since then. Problem is that it was only 6 games ago. Teams are still adjusting things from the new bench boss and it sounds like it may take alittle longer for them to develop the schemes. If you own players that play for the Capitals, Hurricanes and/or Ducks, just be patient.
Injury Report
Martin St. Louis, Lightning - He took a shot off of his face in a practice last week and sustained facial and nasal fractures. The swelling has not gone down so there has been no timetable released.
Kris Letang, Penguins - He seems to have had a concussion since November 26th so he has been placed on the IR and he will be out indefinitely. That may mean a couple of weeks or in a worst case scenario, all season. Here's hoping it's the former guess.
Sidney Crosby, Penguins - He's been held out for the past few games due to a freak collision with Chris Kunitz but it's been repeatedly said he did not have a concussion and he is simply out as a precaution. Then again, they haven't said what exactly is the issue but for now, we know there's something holding him back.
Zdeno Chara, Bruins - He had a leg injury close to the end of the game on Saturday and it sounds like it will sideline him for the next three games or perhaps up to the end of year. No one knows the severity of the injury but be sure to bench him if you're in weekly leagues.
Jeff Skinner, Hurricanes - He got injured somehow but nobody knows what in the world is ailing him but what has been said is that it is not a concussion. Better than nothing, I guess. Consider him day-to-day for now until more info is released.
Ilya Bryzgalov, Flyers - He sustained a lower body injury on Saturday but it's not known what kind nor the severity so keep your ear to the ground and consider him day-to-day for now.
Claude Giroux, Flyers - Seems to have been accidentally kneed in the head by a teammate. So far, it seems that he's doing better since the incident and hasn't experience any concussion-like symptoms so keep your fingers crossed in his recovery. If this holds true, the Flyers truly dodged a bullet with this one.
Brayden Schenn, Flyers - The injuries keep piling up but now Schenn is deal with a mild concussion. It is believe he may be back next week but with any concussion injury, take that timeframe with a grain of salt until he starts skating without issues. Until then, consider him out on a week-to-week basis.
Devin Setoguchi, Wild - He had a knee injury and had to wear a knee cast to prevent any kind of movement. Now that he's placed in the IR, don't expect him back for about a couple weeks.
Sergei Gonchar, Senators - He fell and hurt himself a couple of games back. The upper body injury isn't considered severe and he is being considered day-to-day for now.
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