WILD SERGE
Following a bad month of December in which they went 4-9-1 (9pts) and suffered through a franchise worst six game losing streak, the Minnesota Wild have started the New Year on the right track going 2-0-1 (5pts), and counting their New Years Eve Win over the Sharks have beaten the top team and each conference (San Jose & Boston) and lost to the number two team in the West in overtime (Detroit).
There are several reasons on why the Wild are playing better in January and had a horrible December, which range from the question of Marian Gaborik's status to the club not signing veterans and instead having several rookies going through growing pains having to develop in the NHL instead of in the AHL like in past. In all sports what tends to get overlooked is that every team goes through at least one or two slumps during the course of a season, and sometimes that slump happens in the playoffs. Usually the bottom five teams will suffer through 4-6 dry spells over a miserable season that puts them out of the playoff hunt and the chance for winning record a 1/2 to 2/3 into the season.
For the last several years it seemed like around late February/early March the Wild would suffer a slump, and with an unusual bad early month in the season it caught us all by surprise. With the Flyers, Blackhawks, Ducks, Maple Leafs, and Canucks among the remaining games in January, we should know come Feb 1 how the rest of the season will shape up as Marian Gaborik elected to have surgery and won't be back until the last half of March with about 13 games left in the season.
While it took almost the first half of the season to know what was wrong with Gabby, it is a little disconcerting that he won't be ready to skate again until after the trading deadline which puts Minnesota in a bit of a pickle. With rumors flying around about how he reportedly turned down a contract offer from the Wild, you wonder what's going to happen when he does come back. Will Doug Risebrough try to trade him him before the deadline to get something for the free-agent to be, put him on Long Term Injury status (LTI) and add his $6.33-million cap hit to the payroll, or resign him to maybe a lesser multi-year contract with the uncertainty of his future after the surgery.
Keep in mind that whoever signs Gaborik will only have a handful of games to determine if he's worth an Alexander Ovechkin type contract in terms of years and money that he was reportedly asking close to, or if it'll be just a multi-year deal of say 3-4 years for $24 to 40-million now that he's had surgery on both his hips.
Wether it's with the Wild or someone else, Gabby will be well rested and fully recovered for the 2009-10 season, and the main question that will have to wait a few years to be answered is, Will the 40 goal 80 point scorer emerge or will he just be another player that had the potential to be one of the games best but was cut down by injuries?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
January 2nd
GABORIK COULD OPT FOR SEASON ENDING SURGERY
Marian Gaborik's injury plagued season, and tenure with the Minnesota Wild could both be coming to an end.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that Gaborik has a hip deficiency that's causing his groin problems, and he's contemplating season ending surgery.
Gabby, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has only played in six of the Wild's 36 games this season scoring three goals and registering two assists.
The 26-year-old met with the same specialist over Christmas who performed his hip surgery this past June. While that previous surgery repaired the right side, Gaborik must now decide whether to fix the left side with surgery or play the remainder of the season in pain.
Tom Lynn, Minnesota's assistant general manager, said a decision on the surgery will likely be made in the next few days.
Gaborik, the number three overall pick in the 2000 entry draft, is the only remaining skater left from the inaugural opening day roster, and is the franchise's all-time leader in several categories including goals (209), assists (210), Points (419), and games played (491).
Marian Gaborik's injury plagued season, and tenure with the Minnesota Wild could both be coming to an end.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that Gaborik has a hip deficiency that's causing his groin problems, and he's contemplating season ending surgery.
Gabby, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has only played in six of the Wild's 36 games this season scoring three goals and registering two assists.
The 26-year-old met with the same specialist over Christmas who performed his hip surgery this past June. While that previous surgery repaired the right side, Gaborik must now decide whether to fix the left side with surgery or play the remainder of the season in pain.
Tom Lynn, Minnesota's assistant general manager, said a decision on the surgery will likely be made in the next few days.
Gaborik, the number three overall pick in the 2000 entry draft, is the only remaining skater left from the inaugural opening day roster, and is the franchise's all-time leader in several categories including goals (209), assists (210), Points (419), and games played (491).
Thursday, January 1, 2009
January 1st (HAPPY NEW YEAR!)
KHL FIRES OMSK DOCTORS
As a result of the latest revelations regarding the death of Avangard Omsk forward Alexei Cherepanov last October, the KHL Disciplinary committe has removed the team's doctors from that role with the team.
In Addition, the committee requested the suspension of Avangard General Manager Anatoly Bardin and team president Konstantin Potapov until the investigation being conducted by the Russian Federal Prosecutor's Office is concluded, as the Prosecutor's Office released a statement indicating that performance enhancing drugs had been found in Cherepanov's system.
The KHL revealed more details in their own press release Tuesday.
"As the federal investigation's report clearly shows, Alexei Cherepanov, had been suffering from chronic myocarditis for at least a year," the KHL release stated, "This disease should preclude participation in professional sports, such as hockey. Further, kordiamin, a drug used to treat cardiovascular disease and to stimulate the cardiovascular and respiratory systems was found in Cherepanov's blood.
"It was found that Cherepanoc had been injected with kordiamin three hours before the start of the game between Vityaz and Avangard on October 13, 2008."
Kordiamin is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The KHL Disciplinary Committee will meet again on this matter January 5, and any further findings are expected to be made public on January 15.
Cherepanov, 19, had played 15 games this season for Omsk Avangard, before he died shortly after collapsing on the bench during a KHL game on October 13.
As a result of the latest revelations regarding the death of Avangard Omsk forward Alexei Cherepanov last October, the KHL Disciplinary committe has removed the team's doctors from that role with the team.
In Addition, the committee requested the suspension of Avangard General Manager Anatoly Bardin and team president Konstantin Potapov until the investigation being conducted by the Russian Federal Prosecutor's Office is concluded, as the Prosecutor's Office released a statement indicating that performance enhancing drugs had been found in Cherepanov's system.
The KHL revealed more details in their own press release Tuesday.
"As the federal investigation's report clearly shows, Alexei Cherepanov, had been suffering from chronic myocarditis for at least a year," the KHL release stated, "This disease should preclude participation in professional sports, such as hockey. Further, kordiamin, a drug used to treat cardiovascular disease and to stimulate the cardiovascular and respiratory systems was found in Cherepanov's blood.
"It was found that Cherepanoc had been injected with kordiamin three hours before the start of the game between Vityaz and Avangard on October 13, 2008."
Kordiamin is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The KHL Disciplinary Committee will meet again on this matter January 5, and any further findings are expected to be made public on January 15.
Cherepanov, 19, had played 15 games this season for Omsk Avangard, before he died shortly after collapsing on the bench during a KHL game on October 13.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
December 31st
CANUCKS GET LABARBERA FROM KINGS
The Vancouver Canucks, still missing top goalie Roberto Luongo, added some insurance Tuesday night by acquiring Jason LaBarbera from the Los Angeles Kings for a seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft.
Labarbera will join the starting rotation of Curtis Sanford and rookie Cory Schneider who've been sharing Vancouver's goaltending duties since Luongo was placed on the injured list Nov.23 because of a groin injury. Luongo did resume skating on his own Tuesday, but isn't expected to be ready for game action for at least three weeks.
Sanford will also be out for a while after suffering a groin injury in Tuesday mornings skate. Although he did feel well enough to start that night's game, a 3-2 home loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, he was replaced at the start of the second period by Schneider, and was then placed on the injured list following the game.
Both Sanford and Luongo are considered week-to-week.
LaBarbera went 5-8-4 with a 2.83 goals-against average, an .893 save percentage and posted two shutouts in 18 games with the Kings this season. Following the improved play by Jonathan Quick, who posted a pair of shutouts last week and was the NHL's number-three star of the week, the 28-year-old became expendable.
LaBarbera was selected in the third round of the 1998 entry draft by the New York Rangers, and in 98 NHL games has posted a 34-42-8 record with a 3.00 GAA, .901 SV %, and four shutouts.
CUJO GETS 450TH WIN
It took a while, but Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Curtis Joseph got win number 450 Tuesday night as the Maple Leafs beat the Atlanta Thrashers 4-3 in overtime.
The win didn't come easy for Cujo, who made 29 saves as the Thrashers took an early 2-0 lead, and after Toronto rallied to go ahead 3-2 Thrashers winger Colby Armstrong scored a power-play goal with 6:43 left in regulation to tie it 3-3. Pavel Kubina scored the game winner in overtime for the Leafs.
Joseph got his 449th win back on April 5, as a member of the Calgary Flames, and the 41-year-old will have a chance for win number 451 on Thursday when Toronot hosts the Buffalo Sabres.
GAGNE INJURES "UPPER BODY"
Philadelphia Flyers forward Simon Gagne sustained an upper body injury in the first period of Tuesday's game against the Vancouver Canucks and didn't return.
Gagne, who was limited to just 25 games last season due to a concussion, was hit hard into the boards by Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa on the first shift of the game. Gagne went to the bench favoring his left arm and shoulder.
The Flyers took exception to the hit, although no penalty was assessed, and captain Mike Richards immediately challenged Bieksa toa fight.
In 35 games this season Gagne has scored 18 goals and 22 assists.
BRUINS PLACE BERGERON ON IR
Having not played a game since suffering a concussion against the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec 20, the Boston Bruins placed forward Patrice Bergeron on Injured reserve.
The Boston Globe reported Tuesday that Bergeron is still experiencing some headaches, following the severe concussion that forced him to miss almost all of last season.
In 31 games this season, Bergeron had four goals and 14 assist, and in 270 career NHL games has scored 76 goals and 131 assists.
There is no timetable for Bergeron's return to physical activity
Boston also announced that centre Martin St. Pierre, who scored his first goal as a Bruin in Tuesday's win over Pittsburgh, has been sent back to the Providence Bruins of the AHL, where he has 35 points in 30 games this season, tops for Providence.
The Vancouver Canucks, still missing top goalie Roberto Luongo, added some insurance Tuesday night by acquiring Jason LaBarbera from the Los Angeles Kings for a seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft.
Labarbera will join the starting rotation of Curtis Sanford and rookie Cory Schneider who've been sharing Vancouver's goaltending duties since Luongo was placed on the injured list Nov.23 because of a groin injury. Luongo did resume skating on his own Tuesday, but isn't expected to be ready for game action for at least three weeks.
Sanford will also be out for a while after suffering a groin injury in Tuesday mornings skate. Although he did feel well enough to start that night's game, a 3-2 home loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, he was replaced at the start of the second period by Schneider, and was then placed on the injured list following the game.
Both Sanford and Luongo are considered week-to-week.
LaBarbera went 5-8-4 with a 2.83 goals-against average, an .893 save percentage and posted two shutouts in 18 games with the Kings this season. Following the improved play by Jonathan Quick, who posted a pair of shutouts last week and was the NHL's number-three star of the week, the 28-year-old became expendable.
LaBarbera was selected in the third round of the 1998 entry draft by the New York Rangers, and in 98 NHL games has posted a 34-42-8 record with a 3.00 GAA, .901 SV %, and four shutouts.
CUJO GETS 450TH WIN
It took a while, but Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Curtis Joseph got win number 450 Tuesday night as the Maple Leafs beat the Atlanta Thrashers 4-3 in overtime.
The win didn't come easy for Cujo, who made 29 saves as the Thrashers took an early 2-0 lead, and after Toronto rallied to go ahead 3-2 Thrashers winger Colby Armstrong scored a power-play goal with 6:43 left in regulation to tie it 3-3. Pavel Kubina scored the game winner in overtime for the Leafs.
Joseph got his 449th win back on April 5, as a member of the Calgary Flames, and the 41-year-old will have a chance for win number 451 on Thursday when Toronot hosts the Buffalo Sabres.
GAGNE INJURES "UPPER BODY"
Philadelphia Flyers forward Simon Gagne sustained an upper body injury in the first period of Tuesday's game against the Vancouver Canucks and didn't return.
Gagne, who was limited to just 25 games last season due to a concussion, was hit hard into the boards by Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa on the first shift of the game. Gagne went to the bench favoring his left arm and shoulder.
The Flyers took exception to the hit, although no penalty was assessed, and captain Mike Richards immediately challenged Bieksa toa fight.
In 35 games this season Gagne has scored 18 goals and 22 assists.
BRUINS PLACE BERGERON ON IR
Having not played a game since suffering a concussion against the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec 20, the Boston Bruins placed forward Patrice Bergeron on Injured reserve.
The Boston Globe reported Tuesday that Bergeron is still experiencing some headaches, following the severe concussion that forced him to miss almost all of last season.
In 31 games this season, Bergeron had four goals and 14 assist, and in 270 career NHL games has scored 76 goals and 131 assists.
There is no timetable for Bergeron's return to physical activity
Boston also announced that centre Martin St. Pierre, who scored his first goal as a Bruin in Tuesday's win over Pittsburgh, has been sent back to the Providence Bruins of the AHL, where he has 35 points in 30 games this season, tops for Providence.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
December 30th
LEMIEUX ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO COMEBACK
The San Jose Sharks signed forward Claude Lemieux to a two-way contract on Monday, and per team policy terms of the deal weren't released.
A two-way contract allows the club to move a player to the AHL affiliate, where the player makes a different salary than with the NHL club.
The 43-year-old, who has not played in the NHL since the 2002-03 season, has been attempting a comeback and spent the last month playing for San Jose's AHL affiliate in Worcester and has two goals and four assists in 14 games.
Sharks General Manager, and Lemieux's longtime friend, Doug Wilson said "This is simply the next step in the evaluation process with Claude" and once he clears waivers will be assigned back to Worcester.
Once considered one of the biggest pests in the NHL, Claude played in 1,197 regular season games with Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado, Phoenix, and Dallas scoring 379 goals and 406 assists.
However it was in the playoffs where he shined winning four Stanley Cups, two with New Jersey and one each with Montreal and Colorado. In the 1995 playoffs with the Devils, Lemieux recorded 13 goals and three assists and was awarded the Conn Smythe as the playoff MVP.
In 233 playoff games over 17 postseason appearances he has scored 80 goals and tailed 77 assists.
The San Jose Sharks signed forward Claude Lemieux to a two-way contract on Monday, and per team policy terms of the deal weren't released.
A two-way contract allows the club to move a player to the AHL affiliate, where the player makes a different salary than with the NHL club.
The 43-year-old, who has not played in the NHL since the 2002-03 season, has been attempting a comeback and spent the last month playing for San Jose's AHL affiliate in Worcester and has two goals and four assists in 14 games.
Sharks General Manager, and Lemieux's longtime friend, Doug Wilson said "This is simply the next step in the evaluation process with Claude" and once he clears waivers will be assigned back to Worcester.
Once considered one of the biggest pests in the NHL, Claude played in 1,197 regular season games with Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado, Phoenix, and Dallas scoring 379 goals and 406 assists.
However it was in the playoffs where he shined winning four Stanley Cups, two with New Jersey and one each with Montreal and Colorado. In the 1995 playoffs with the Devils, Lemieux recorded 13 goals and three assists and was awarded the Conn Smythe as the playoff MVP.
In 233 playoff games over 17 postseason appearances he has scored 80 goals and tailed 77 assists.
Monday, December 29, 2008
December 29th, Part II
OVECHKIN, LITTLE, QUICK NHL'S 3 STARS OF THE WEEK
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, Atlanta Thrashers center Bryan Little and Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending Dec. 28.
FIRST STAR -- ALEX OVECHKIN, LW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Ovechkin tallied six points (five goals, one assist) as the Capitals (23-11-3) went 3-0-0 and extended their Southeast Division lead to 10 points. He tallied three points (two goals, one assist) as Washington overcame a 4-0 deficit to defeat the New York Rangers 5-4 in overtime at Madison Square Garden Dec. 23, scored the game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres Dec. 26 and recorded a pair of goals, including the game-winner, as the Capitals improved to 15-1-1 at home by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 Dec. 28. Ovechkin has posted 44 points (23 goals, 21 assists) in his past 28 games, including a League-leading 12 goals in 13 December contests. He ranks second in League scoring with 49 points (25 goals, 24 assists) in 35 games.
SECOND STAR -- BRYAN LITTLE, C, ATLANTA THRASHERS
Little tallied a League-leading six goals for the week, beginning with a pair in a 4-2 victory over the New York Islanders Dec. 23. He tallied his first NHL hat trick in a 5-4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes Dec. 26 and concluded the week by recording Atlanta’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins Dec. 28. The Thrashers' first pick (12th overall) in the 2006 Entry Draft, Little leads the Thrashers with 18 goals and ranks fourth on the club in points (18-12--30), easily surpassing the offensive totals from his rookie season in 2007-08 (6-10--16 in 48 games).
THIRD STAR -- JONATHAN QUICK, G, LOS ANGELES KINGS
Quick posted a 2-1-0 record with a 0.67 goals-against average, .958 save percentage and two shutouts in three games. He recorded his first NHL shutout by blocking 24 shots in a 3-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Dec. 23, stopped 24 of 26 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes Dec. 26 and recorded 26 saves in a 4-0 victory over the Coyotes Dec. 27. Selected by the Kings in the fourth round of the 2005 Entry Draft, Quick was recalled from AHL Manchester on Dec. 16 and has posted a 2-2-0 record with a 1.88 goals-against average, .933 save percentage and two shutouts in five appearances with the
Kings this season.
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, Atlanta Thrashers center Bryan Little and Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending Dec. 28.
FIRST STAR -- ALEX OVECHKIN, LW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Ovechkin tallied six points (five goals, one assist) as the Capitals (23-11-3) went 3-0-0 and extended their Southeast Division lead to 10 points. He tallied three points (two goals, one assist) as Washington overcame a 4-0 deficit to defeat the New York Rangers 5-4 in overtime at Madison Square Garden Dec. 23, scored the game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres Dec. 26 and recorded a pair of goals, including the game-winner, as the Capitals improved to 15-1-1 at home by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 Dec. 28. Ovechkin has posted 44 points (23 goals, 21 assists) in his past 28 games, including a League-leading 12 goals in 13 December contests. He ranks second in League scoring with 49 points (25 goals, 24 assists) in 35 games.
SECOND STAR -- BRYAN LITTLE, C, ATLANTA THRASHERS
Little tallied a League-leading six goals for the week, beginning with a pair in a 4-2 victory over the New York Islanders Dec. 23. He tallied his first NHL hat trick in a 5-4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes Dec. 26 and concluded the week by recording Atlanta’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins Dec. 28. The Thrashers' first pick (12th overall) in the 2006 Entry Draft, Little leads the Thrashers with 18 goals and ranks fourth on the club in points (18-12--30), easily surpassing the offensive totals from his rookie season in 2007-08 (6-10--16 in 48 games).
THIRD STAR -- JONATHAN QUICK, G, LOS ANGELES KINGS
Quick posted a 2-1-0 record with a 0.67 goals-against average, .958 save percentage and two shutouts in three games. He recorded his first NHL shutout by blocking 24 shots in a 3-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Dec. 23, stopped 24 of 26 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes Dec. 26 and recorded 26 saves in a 4-0 victory over the Coyotes Dec. 27. Selected by the Kings in the fourth round of the 2005 Entry Draft, Quick was recalled from AHL Manchester on Dec. 16 and has posted a 2-2-0 record with a 1.88 goals-against average, .933 save percentage and two shutouts in five appearances with the
Kings this season.
December 29th
OVER THE WEEKEND INJURY REPORT
STAJAN WILL MISS A WEEK AFTER FREAK MISHAP
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without forward Matt Stajan for at least a week after he was struck in the right eye with a soccer ball during a pre-practice warmup on Saturday.
Stajan suffered a hyphema, caused by a pooling of blood, in his right eye when he was hit while some members of the team were using the ball in the hallway -- something they regularly do. One report said Stajan was simply watching and not participating.
General Manger Brian Burke said the injury is not serious and expected the Toronto centre to be out for seven days or so while fluid drains from the eye, and added the exercise won't change.
"I'm not going to eliminate soccer (warmups) because one guy gets a ball in the eye", Burke said.
SABRES PLACE GAUSTAD ON IR
The Buffalo Sabres placed centre Paul Gaustad on injured reserve over the weekend because of an upper-body injury and recalled left wing Tim Kennedy from Maine of the AHL.
Gaustad, placed on IR retroactive to Dec. 17, has missed four games since he was injured against New Jersey, and also missed the first nine games of the season due to a thumb injury that required surgery.
Gaustad has three goals and seven points in 22 games this season.
Kennedy leads AHL rookies with 22 assists, and also has seven goals in 29 games for Portland, Buffalo acquired Kennedy in a draft-day trade with Washington after he was selected 181st overall by the Capitals in 2005.
HIP SURGERY TO END KARIYA'S SEASON
St. Louis Blues winger Paul Kariya will have surgery on his left hip and likely will miss the rest of the season.
The 34-year-old hasn't played since Nov. 5 in Anaheim, when his body was wrenched by a hit from behind and he tore muscle fibres near the top of his thigh. He had apparently recovered form the initial injury and skated with the team during Christmas week but cut his workout short on Friday after only about 10 minutes.
An MRI revealed additional damage inside the hip and Kariya and the Blues elected for surgery over the weekend after consultation with several doctors.
Team President John Davidson said there was no timetable for Kariya's return, and surgery had not yet been scheduled.
In the second season of a three-year, $18-million deal, Kariya has two goals and 13 assists in 11 games. In 914 regular-season games with Anaheim, Colorado, Nashville, and St. Louis he has scored 384 goals and registered 562 assists.
The St. Louis Blues, last in the Western Conference with a 13-18-3 record, have been bitten by the injury bug quite bad this season starting with number-one overall pick Erik Johnson who had a season-ending knee injury in a pre-training camp golf outing accident. The Blues also have had forward Andy McDonald (broken ankle), defenceman Eric Brewer (back surgery) and goalie Manny Legace (hip, concussion) suffer extended absences due to injuries.
CANUCKS PYATT OUT WITH BROKEN FOOT
The Vancouver Canucks will be without Taylor Pyatt for an indefinite period of time after the winger suffered a broken right foot against the Edmonton Oilers.
The injury looked to happen late in the second period when Pyatt's right skate caught a Willie Mitchell slap shot from the front of the Canucks net.
Pyatt has four goals and six assists with a minus-six rating in 36 games played this season.
STAJAN WILL MISS A WEEK AFTER FREAK MISHAP
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without forward Matt Stajan for at least a week after he was struck in the right eye with a soccer ball during a pre-practice warmup on Saturday.
Stajan suffered a hyphema, caused by a pooling of blood, in his right eye when he was hit while some members of the team were using the ball in the hallway -- something they regularly do. One report said Stajan was simply watching and not participating.
General Manger Brian Burke said the injury is not serious and expected the Toronto centre to be out for seven days or so while fluid drains from the eye, and added the exercise won't change.
"I'm not going to eliminate soccer (warmups) because one guy gets a ball in the eye", Burke said.
SABRES PLACE GAUSTAD ON IR
The Buffalo Sabres placed centre Paul Gaustad on injured reserve over the weekend because of an upper-body injury and recalled left wing Tim Kennedy from Maine of the AHL.
Gaustad, placed on IR retroactive to Dec. 17, has missed four games since he was injured against New Jersey, and also missed the first nine games of the season due to a thumb injury that required surgery.
Gaustad has three goals and seven points in 22 games this season.
Kennedy leads AHL rookies with 22 assists, and also has seven goals in 29 games for Portland, Buffalo acquired Kennedy in a draft-day trade with Washington after he was selected 181st overall by the Capitals in 2005.
HIP SURGERY TO END KARIYA'S SEASON
St. Louis Blues winger Paul Kariya will have surgery on his left hip and likely will miss the rest of the season.
The 34-year-old hasn't played since Nov. 5 in Anaheim, when his body was wrenched by a hit from behind and he tore muscle fibres near the top of his thigh. He had apparently recovered form the initial injury and skated with the team during Christmas week but cut his workout short on Friday after only about 10 minutes.
An MRI revealed additional damage inside the hip and Kariya and the Blues elected for surgery over the weekend after consultation with several doctors.
Team President John Davidson said there was no timetable for Kariya's return, and surgery had not yet been scheduled.
In the second season of a three-year, $18-million deal, Kariya has two goals and 13 assists in 11 games. In 914 regular-season games with Anaheim, Colorado, Nashville, and St. Louis he has scored 384 goals and registered 562 assists.
The St. Louis Blues, last in the Western Conference with a 13-18-3 record, have been bitten by the injury bug quite bad this season starting with number-one overall pick Erik Johnson who had a season-ending knee injury in a pre-training camp golf outing accident. The Blues also have had forward Andy McDonald (broken ankle), defenceman Eric Brewer (back surgery) and goalie Manny Legace (hip, concussion) suffer extended absences due to injuries.
CANUCKS PYATT OUT WITH BROKEN FOOT
The Vancouver Canucks will be without Taylor Pyatt for an indefinite period of time after the winger suffered a broken right foot against the Edmonton Oilers.
The injury looked to happen late in the second period when Pyatt's right skate caught a Willie Mitchell slap shot from the front of the Canucks net.
Pyatt has four goals and six assists with a minus-six rating in 36 games played this season.
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