Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Injury

Hurricanes Notes: UFAs, Noesen, Svechnikov

at CDT | by 5 Comments

The Carolina Hurricanes had one of the most shocking playoff exits in recent memory, swept out of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers after dropping just three games in the first two rounds combined. The combination of key injuries and some outstanding performances from star Panthers left them searching for answers again.

Now, with free agency right around the corner, news poured out of the Hurricanes’ locker cleanout day:

  • It started with captain Jordan Staal, who explained that he doesn’t plan to play anywhere but Carolina next season. The pending UFA will be 35 before the 2023-24 campaign kicks off, but loves being a Hurricane and wants to come back. He even went so far as to say that he wants to finish his career in Carolina.
  • Frederik Andersen, a pending free agent, also wants to return. That’s his “priority” as the two-year deal he signed in 2021 comes to an end. Both Andersen and fellow veteran goaltender Antti Raanta are set to hit the open market, while Pyotr Kochetkov’s new four-year deal kicks in.
  • There was also some injury news, though, with Stefan Noesen explaining that he suffered a grade three shoulder separation. Fortunately, it isn’t expected to require surgery, meaning he’ll be ready for the start of next year. Noesen, 30, finally found a home in Carolina, scoring 13 goals and 36 points in 78 games.
  • Andrei Svechnikov, who had to watch the entire playoff run after suffering a serious knee injury, was optimistic about his recovery timeline and told reporters he’d be on the ice in a month. His absence was certainly felt in the Florida series, after scoring 23 goals and 55 points in 64 games this season.

Evgenii Dadonov Out For Game 4

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Dallas Stars will officially be without winger Evgenii Dadonov as they try to stave off a sweep tonight, head coach Peter DeBoer confirmed to reporters.

Luckily, the team will avoid a third absence tonight in addition to Dadonov and suspended captain Jamie Benn. Joe Pavelski was also absent from this morning’s skate, but DeBoer said it was for maintenance reasons only.

Yesterday, DeBoer said Dadonov’s status for tonight’s Game 4 was doubtful. Dadonov left Dallas’ Game 3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights after colliding with teammate Roope Hintz. He sustained a lower-body injury on the play.

Without Dadonov in the fold, it’s expected both Joel Kiviranta and Fredrik Olofsson will draw into the lineup as the team also deals with Benn’s absence. It would be Olofsson’s playoff debut, so it’s a possibility defenseman Colin Miller draws into the lineup instead, and the Stars only ice 11 forwards.

Dadonov has been as effective as hoped for since Dallas acquired him from the Montreal Canadiens late in the season. The 34-year-old veteran has 10 points in 16 games, tied for sixth on the team in scoring with defenseman Miro Heiskanen. He also notched 15 points in 23 regular-season games down the stretch with Dallas.

Injury Updates: Barkov, Dadonov, Howden

at CDT | by 1 Comment

Florida Panthers team captain Aleksander Barkov has been given the green light to hit the ice in tonight’s potentially series-clinching Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, head coach Paul Maurice said today. Barkov’s status update comes after he missed most of Florida’s 1-0 Game 3 win, sustaining a lower-body injury on a first-period hit from Hurricanes forward Jack Drury.

The 27-year-old Finnish center’s leadership and two-way acumen have proven invaluable to the team’s success, displayed most recently by a highlight-reel goal in Game 2. His four goals and eight assists for 12 points are third on the team in playoff scoring behind linemate Carter Verhaeghe and Hart Trophy finalist Matthew Tkachuk.

The 2021 Selke Trophy winner will log heavy minutes tonight as he looks to advance to the first Stanley Cup Final of his career.

Jani Hakanpaa To Miss Game One

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

As the Western Conference Finals begin this evening, the Dallas Stars will be out a defenseman, as Tracey Myers of the NHL reports that Jani Hakanpaa will miss Game One, and Colin Miller will take his place in the lineup. Hakanpaa has not played since Game Six against the Seattle Kraken, and may still be out with the lower-body injury that hampered him during that semifinal series.

This will be the third game that Hakanpaa has missed for the Stars so far this playoffs but has proven to be a serviceable defenseman when he has played. In 11 games in this postseason, Hakanpaa has scored one goal and one assist, averaging nearly 21 minutes a night in the process.

Miller, who will be replacing Hakanpaa in the lineup against the Vegas Golden Knights, managed to play in five games for Dallas when they took on the Kraken. In their previous series, Miller added one assist, averaging just over 15 minutes a game.

The Stars’ ability to replace a player in their lineup with seemingly a similar caliber player is a testament to the depth that this team has put together. With currently eight defensemen on their playoff roster, Dallas has built up a formidable blueline staff and is a major reason for their progression in this year’s playoffs.

West Notes: Lehner, Burakovsky, Iginla

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

One name oft forgotten in the Vegas Golden Knights goalie carousel this season is Robin Lehner, who spent the entire 2022-23 campaign on long-term injured reserve. After missing the tail end of the 2021-22 campaign with a significant shoulder injury, it was actually off-season hip surgery that kept Lehner out for the year.

The Swedish netminder remains one of the best around when healthy, but Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon today didn’t have any update on Lehner’s status moving forward. McCrimmon noted Lehner is still undergoing rehab on both of his hips, but didn’t have a recent update on his progress. Lehner’s absence hasn’t hindered the Golden Knights much this season, and he could be a trade candidate if he does get healthy to clear some cap space. The 2019 Vezina Trophy nominee is locked in at a $5MM cap hit through 2025, making him an affordable option for a team in need of a starting netminder.

  • Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis offered some clarity today on the injury that kept star winger Andre Burakovsky out of the lineup down the stretch of the season. Per Francis, Burakovsky tore his groin on his first shift after the All-Star break and suffered multiple setbacks in his recovery, sidelining him for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs. The 28-year-old was having a spectacular first season in Seattle before the injury, scoring 39 points in 49 games in a top-six role.
  • After selecting him in 12th overall in last week’s WHL Prospects Draft, the Edmonton Oil Kings have officially brought 14-year-old Joe Iginla, son of Calgary Flames legend Jarome Iginla, into the organization on a scholarship and development agreement. Iginla posted monster numbers at the U15 level this season with his dad coaching, scoring 65 points in 27 games, and even got some looks in U16 and U17 play. Iginla is not NHL draft eligible until 2026 and is not expected to join the Oil Kings until the 2024-25 season.

Laurent Brossoit Not Expected Back For Western Conference Final

at CDT | by 4 Comments

Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy indicated today that goaltender Laurent Brossoit is unlikely to be available for their upcoming Western Conference Final series against the Dallas Stars. Brossoit has not played or practiced since sustaining a lower-body injury in Game 3 of their Second Round win against the Edmonton Oilers.

Brossoit had performed spectacularly down the stretch for Vegas, posting a 7-0-3 record and .927 save percentage in 10 starts after an early-season injury slipped him down the depth chart and earned him an extended stay in the minors for the first time in years. He carried that over into the postseason, and while his .894 save percentage in eight playoff starts isn’t exactly flattering, he did provide some needed big saves and played a key role in guiding Vegas to the NHL’s final four.

The team’s backup to start the season, Adin Hill, came in and finished the job in Brossoit’s absence, currently leading all playoff netminders with a .934 save percentage. In Game 6, he allowed Edmonton’s first two shots on goal but saved the next 38 en route to a series-clinching win. Even if Brossoit had been available to them, the team would’ve likely kept Hill in the starter’s crease.

One option that could become available, though, is Logan Thompson, who led all Vegas netminders this year with 36 starts and 21 wins. Thompson has missed much of the last three months with a lower-body injury that was aggravated in March, but Cassidy’s comments today alluded to the possibility of Thompson becoming an option during this series. He didn’t explicitly state Thompson had returned to practice, however.

Thompson did perform well in his first season as an NHL starter and could’ve outlasted Edmonton Oilers counterpart Stuart Skinner for a Calder Trophy nomination had he not faced injury issues down the stretch. If his regular-season performance with the Golden Knights during this season and last is any indication, he’s a better backup option at this point in time than veteran Jonathan Quick, who Vegas has dressed on the bench in Brossoit’s absence.

Snapshots: Landeskog, Reinbacher, Agents

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Outside of the playoffs, one of the major questions in the hockey world is if we will ever see the return of Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog. On May 10th, Landeskog opted to receive a cartilage transplant on his right knee, which will likely sideline him for the entirety of the 2023-24 NHL season.

This will mark two straight years that Landeskog will fail to play a game in the NHL, and serious doubts are being raised about his ability to return to the ice following this surgery. Talking to doctors and experts about the surgery, Bennett Sousa of The Denver Post says the jury is still out on that specific question.

Dr. Rachel Frank, a team physician for the MLS Colorado Rapids team, said, “We’ve seen this done before in patients and athletes at all levels, including the high school, the collegiate and the professional athlete. But at the elite level, it’s a bit less predictable because, quite frankly, it’s not as common.” Although the surgery has been quite successful in the past, Frank was quick to point out that the surgery is typically given for quality-of-life scenarios, not returning to their original form in athletics.

The only other major athlete to receive the surgery in recent memory would be Chicago Bulls guard, Lonzo Ball. In March of 2023, Ball opted to receive the surgery and has yet to make his return to the court at this time, missing the entirety of the 2022-23 NBA season. Due to the lack of comparables in the world of sports, Landeskog’s future in hockey is still up in the air.

Other snapshots:

  • In their loss against Team Sweden at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, Team Austria received even more negative news during the game, as top draft prospect David Reinbacher would not return to the game (Tweet Link). Receiving a hip check from Washington Capitals’ defenseman Rasmus Sandin, Reinbacher left the game with a lower-body injury. Clocking in at 20th overall on the draft board by TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Reinbacher scored three goals and 19 assists playing for EHC Kloten of the National League this season.
  • Although not pressing news, an interesting factoid was provided by PuckPedia today, as they announced that two agents have now crossed over the $1B mark in active contracts, as both Craig Oster of Newport Sports and Pat Brisson of CAA Hockey have crossed the threshold. Oster represents NHL talent such as Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, and Matthew Tkachuk, while Brisson represents players such as Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, and John Tavares.

Maple Leafs/Panthers Notes: Samsonov, Knies, Lomberg

at CDT | by 5 Comments

Another day of morning skates for the Toronto Maple Leafs brings more updates on their duo of injured players, who are both ruled out for Game 5 against the Florida Panthers tonight but making progress in their recoveries. This morning, The Hockey News’ Mike Stephens relayed that netminder Ilya Samsonov was skating on his own this morning, practicing in isolation with Toronto’s skills coaches.

This is Samsonov’s first practice since sustaining an upper-body injury two games ago when Toronto defenseman Luke Schenn collided with him whilst defending a rush. While signs are pointing to Samsonov not being out much longer, Toronto’s season can end at any point, down 3-1 in their series. In the meantime, the starter’s net is filled by rookie Joseph Woll, who stopped 24 of 25 shots in a must-win Game 4 road win on Wednesday.

  • Rookie forward Matthew Knies is also practicing for the first time today since his concussion in Game 2 of the Florida series, says The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel. Knies was injured on a play behind the net, forced to the ice by Panthers forward Sam Bennett. While he won’t play tonight, Knies’ status is day-to-day and he hasn’t been ruled out for a potential Game 6 on Sunday.
  • The Hockey News’ David Dwork believes forward Ryan Lomberg is doubtful to return to the lineup in the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, should they advance. Lomberg has not played since Game 4 of the First Round against the Boston Bruins and is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. The physical winger had already racked up 18 penalty minutes through four games, 14 of which game in Game 2.

Injury Notes: Samsonov, Knies, Raanta

at CDT | by 7 Comments

The Toronto Maple Leafs are still in Stanley Cup contention after staving off elimination, winning last night’s Game 4 against the Florida Panthers 2-1. The victory came in large part due to the strong play of rookie netminder Joseph Woll, who stopped 24 of 25 shots and saved 2.02 goals above expected (MoneyPuck).

They’ll have to turn to Woll again for Game 5, as head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters this morning that starter Ilya Samsonov remains unavailable with an upper-body injury. Samsonov left early in the second period of Game 3 after Maple Leafs defender Luke Schenn barrelled into him while defending a Panthers rush. Toronto’s starter for much of the season, Samsonov had been largely passable in the postseason, making key saves despite a .898 save percentage on the whole during the postseason. While Woll has just 14 combined regular-season and playoff games in his NHL career, he has a combined 10-3-0 record and has posted save percentages well over .900.

Other injury notes from the playoff landscape this morning:

  • Keefe also revealed to reporters forward Matthew Knies’ concussion symptoms are improving after missing Games 3 and 4, but he’s not yet ready to return to the lineup. Knies was knocked out of Game 2 in the first period, sustaining the concussion on a hit from Panthers center Sam Bennett. The rookie forward had cemented himself in a top-six role by the time of his injury, recording four points in his first seven playoff games.
  • Carolina Hurricanes netminder Antti Raanta said he’s recovered from an illness that kept him out for the past three games, meaning he’ll back up Frederik Andersen tonight for a potentially series-clinching Game 5. Raanta started the first five games of Carolina’s First Round series against the New York Islanders but has since been superseded by Andersen, who’s posted a 4-0-0 record and .930 save percentage in five starts.

Gabriel Landeskog Unlikely To Play Next Season

at CDT | by 18 Comments

The Colorado Avalanche announced today that captain Gabriel Landeskog will undergo a cartilage transplant in his right knee, likely causing him to miss the entire 2023-24 season.

This is a devastating blow for the Avalanche, who hoped to have their leader back on the ice for the upcoming season. Landeskog missed the entirety of the 2022-23 campaign due to a previous knee injury dating back to the season prior when Landeskog and his Avalanche lifted the Stanley Cup.

Colorado felt Landeskog’s absence deeply this season. Combined with other rashes of injuries, Colorado was plagued with inconsistency but seemed to get hot at the right time going into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Without Landeskog (and eventually Valeri Nichushkin) in the fold, though, the Avalanche’s depth couldn’t keep up, and they were eliminated by the Seattle Kraken in a seven-game First Round series.

The decision to undergo a cartilage transplant is a serious one, and it’s clear that Landeskog and the Avalanche are taking a cautious approach to his recovery. The procedure is a substitute for a joint replacement, involving a lab process where biopsied cartilage is allowed to grow and multiply before being inserted into the knee.

Despite the on-ice setback for Colorado, the team now knows Landeskog’s $7MM cap hit can remain on long-term injured reserve next season, giving them ample breathing room to make needed additions to their forward corps.

Off the ice, the focus now shifts to Landeskog’s long-term health in a personal sense, not just on the ice. Chronic knee pain is evidently becoming a serious issue in Landeskog’s life, and the team is inarguably making the right choice by supporting procedures such as this that prioritize Landeskog’s long-term comfort.

At this point in his career, Landeskog has skated in 738 regular-season and 69 playoff games, all with Colorado. He recorded 22 points in 20 games and a league-leading +15 rating en route to 2022’s Stanley Cup win and has amassed 248 goals and 571 points in his regular-season career.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top