Central Notes: Methot, Hanzal, Hutchinson, Cullen

While both Stars center Martin Hanzal and defenseman Marc Methot have resumed skating, it sounds like both will be out of the lineup for a while yet.  Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News notes that Methot (knee surgery) is hoping to get back before the holiday break while Hanzal’s timeline is more uncertain.  Having dealt with four different injuries dating back to the preseason (the current one is a hamstring issue), head coach Ken Hitchcock stated that the plan will be for the 30-year-old to “practice for an extended period of time” before they put him back in the lineup.  That way, they can ensure that he is indeed fully recovered and that he’ll have a better chance of avoiding any recurrences.

More from the Central:

• Postmedia’s Ken Wiebe reports that several teams around the NHL are looking to add some insurance between the pipes. He suggests that as a result, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Jets deal goaltender Michael Hutchinson soon and lists the Panthers (who are without Roberto Luongo) as a logical landing spot.  He’s a nice insurance policy for Winnipeg to have but it’s telling that prospect Eric Comrie is up with the big club while Steve Mason is out.  If they’re comfortable with that approach, then Hutchinson certainly becomes expendable.
• Wild center Matt Cullen is expected to be a healthy scratch tonight against Anaheim, reports Michael Russo of The Athletic (subscription required). His second stint with Minnesota hasn’t exactly gone swimmingly as he has just a single goal in 27 games after recording 16 and 13 the previous two years with Pittsburgh.  He’s also averaging a career-low 11:17 of ice time per night.  Russo speculates that the Penguins could be a team that might want to keep an eye on this situation as it could make some sense for them to try to reacquire the 41-year-old closer to the trade deadline.