The Ducks have seen some of their walking wounded return in recent days (including winger Ondrej Kase tonight) and it appears that they’re getting closer to getting a couple of key centers back. GM Bob Murray told Mike Coppinger of the LA Times that they believe that Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler will be ready to return by the time Anaheim’s next road trip starts (which is December 14th). Getzlaf got off to a strong start to the season with seven points in seven games before suffering a facial injury that required surgery. Meanwhile, Kesler has yet to play in 2017-18 after undergoing hip surgery in June.
That’s not the only good news on the injury front either as Coppinger adds that the Ducks are also expected to welcome back winger Rickard Rakell on Tuesday night. If that happens, he’ll wind up missing four games with his upper-body issue. It wasn’t long ago that Anaheim was lacking for offensive threats but within the next couple of weeks, that should change considerably.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference:
- Although he was acquired more than a week ago, Kings center Torrey Mitchell has been waiting for a work visa before he could suit up. Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider reports (Twitter link) that he has finally received it and will be eligible to play. In a follow-up tweet, Rosen notes that Mitchell will fly to Chicago and meet up with the team there in advance of their matchup there on Sunday.
- Avalanche center Colin Wilson missed his second straight game tonight against the Devils. BSN Denver’s Adrian Dater suggests that head coach Jared Bednar was hoping he’d be able to play but now they’ll target Sunday as a return date from this undisclosed injury. Wilson’s first season in Colorado has been a quiet one as he has just a goal and four assists in 16 games.
- Jets goaltender Steve Mason is feeling better as he recovers from his concussion, head coach Paul Maurice told reporters, including Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun (Twitter link). He has had multiple days with no setbacks which is certainly an encouraging sign although there is no timetable for his return.