March 19th

NUMMINEN RETURNS TO THE RINK

Defenceman Teppo Numminen made an appearance at the Buffalo Sabres' Tuesday practice, but it's unclear whether he'll rejoin the lineup before the end of the season.

Numminen, who underwent open-heart surgery in September, made an appearance at Buffalo's HSBC Arena for the first time since having a bursa sac on his ankle removed in January.

Head coach Lindy Ruff said the training staff is evaluating Numminen's condition, but it was too early to determine whether he'll be cleared to play before the Sabres' regular-season finale on April 5.

There's no doubt that the Sabres, two points behind Philly for the eighth and final playoff spot, and it's defence corps decimated of late by injuries would welcome back Numminen. Dmitri Kalinin (shoulder) is expected to miss another week while Jaroslav Spacek (bruised ribs) and Nathan Paetsch (concussion) are out indefinitely. Buffalo also traded its best blue-liner, Brian Campbell, to the San Jose Sharks at the trade deadline.

Numminen had surgery in September to repair a faulty valve, which was discovered during a routine checkup ahead of his 19th NHL season and third with Buffalo. He rejoined the team in January but was not cleared for contact, and began skating with the team in the hope he could play in February. Doctors told the 39-year-old he would have to rest until mid-March to allow his sternum to fully heal from surgery.

The Finnish player has had a heart murmur since childhood. He was diagnosed with a dilated aorta in March 2004, when he was playing for the Dallas Stars, and missed five games before he was cleared to play. The condition also forced him to miss one game and part of another during a playoff series against Philadelphia in 2006.

Numminen signed a one-year, $2.6 million deal with the Sabres in July. He's spent the season on the team's suspended list, so his contract hasn't counted against the salary cap.

In 154 regular-season games with Buffalo, Numminen has four goals, 69 points and a plus-23 rating.


DIPIETRO'S DONE FOR THE SEASON

According to TSN, New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro has a right hip problem that is going to require surgery, which means that his season is over. The decision was made after DiPietro underwent an MRI Tuesday.

It's expected the surgery could be performed as early as Wednesday.

The Isles are all but out of the playoffs with 71 points (32-35-7) and 11 points behind Philadelphia for the eighth playoff spot in the East with eight games left.


HABS SIGN WYMAN

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward James Wyman to a two-year contract. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Wyman was selected by the Canadiens in the fourth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, electing to spend four years in college before turning pro. The 6- foot-2, 204-pound winger went on to star at the University of Dartmouth, where, as a senior, he tallied personal bests of 15 goals and 30 points.

Wyman will report to Montreal's American Hockey League affiliate in Hamilton on Thursday.


CANUCKS LOSE RAYMOND FOR FOUR WEEKS

Vancouver Canucks winger Mason Raymond was injured in Monday's win over the Phoenix Coyotes when he was hit knee-on-knee by Coyotes defenceman Keith Ballard. No penalty was called on the play.

Raymond suffered an MCL sprain, and will be sidelined for up to four weeks

In his first season with the Canucks, Raymond has appeared in 49 games and has recorded nine goals and 12 assists.