Injury Updates: Myers, Nash, Puempel, Couturier, Read, Marchenko

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers has suffered a setback as he recovers from a lower body injury suffered last month.  Head coach Paul Maurice told reporters, including Jeff Hamilton of the Winnipeg Free Press (Twitter link), that Myers has “plateaued” in his recovery and that he’s not likely to return for at least a couple of weeks.

Myers has been out of the lineup since November 11th despite originally being classified as day-to-day.  He was off to a strong start prior to getting hurt with five points in 11 games while logging over 22 minutes per game in ice time.  In his absence, rookie Josh Morrissey has continued to play a bigger role than originally anticipated, something that will continue for at least the next couple of weeks now.

More injury updates from throughout the league:

• Rangers wingers Rick Nash and Matt Puempel accompanied the team to Dallas as they begin a two game road trip and are nearing a return to action, writes Matt Calamia on their team website. Both players have missed the last week with a groin injury and a concussion respectively.  As Calamia notes, their decision to re-assign winger Nicklas Jensen back to the minors is a sign that at least one of the two forwards could be ready to suit up against the Stars tomorrow night.
• Flyers center Sean Couturier (knee) and right winger Matt Read (oblique) both skated for the first time today as they continue to recover from their respective injuries, reports Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirier. Couturier, who expects that he will have to wear a knee brace for the rest of the season, is targeting Philadelphia’s road trip beginning December 28th for his return to the lineup.  Read does not know yet when he will be ready to return; the original prognosis was that he would be out until early January.
• Red Wings defenseman Alexey Marchenko re-aggravated his sprained shoulder last night, just days after returning to the lineup from that injury, notes Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. Head coach Jeff Blashill says it’s a day-to-day issue for the 24 year old.  Through 22 games this year, Marchenko has five assists and is averaging a career high in ice time per game at 17:39.  He’s likely to be replaced in the lineup tomorrow by Jonathan Ericsson who is set to return after missing the last three games with back spasms.