One of the tasks fantasy hockey players face when picking their team is determining who is healthy. The process is of figuring out when certain players will return is somewhat like playing doctor. Will he be back for training camp? How much of the regular season will he miss? More important- how might he perform coming off of the injury?
Many players dealt with off-season injuries or surgeries.
Here's a brief look at the prognosis for several NHL'ers that fantasy hockey doctors- I mean players- might be interested in:
VINCENT LECAVALIER, C, Tampa Bay- Had an arthoscopic procedure on his left knee in late August. Lecavalier is sure that he will be ready in time for training camp. Big things are projected for the Bolts center (if healthy) after a couple of sub-par seasons. Watch his performance in pre-season.
DAYMOND LANGKOW, C, Calgary. Suffered a fractured vertebrae near the base of his neck on March 21 when hit by a slapshot. Missed rest of season. Has not been cleared for contact. A risky pick.
ANDREI MARKOV, D, Montreal. Had off-season surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. Expected to miss the first six to eight weeks of the season.
CHRIS PRONGER, D, Philadelphia. Flyers have been mum on the progress of their 35-year-old D-man after he had minor surgery on his right knee in the off-season. Pronger's progress is definately worth watching for fantasy hockey players as he is a valuable commodity for points and penalty minutes among defensemen.
PIERRE-MARC BOUCHARD, C, Minnesota. Has been out since the first game of 2009-10 with a concussion. Promising young forward has been skating and is hopeful of being ready for training camp on Sept. 17.
JORDAN STAAL, C, Pittsburgh. Suffered foot injury in 2009-10 playoffs. Now has an infection. Will not be ready for start of training camp but should play in Pens' season opener.
RICK DIPIETRO, G, New York Islanders. The perpetually-injured Isles goalie is sidelined with a knee injury.
RYAN SMYTH, W, Los Angeles. Smyth says he is completely healthy after suffering an ankle injury at the World Championships in May. Look for Smyth to be on the Kings' top line with Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams.
ALEXEI KOVALEV, W, Ottawa. Senators are looking for a bounce-back campaign from Kovalev who had knee surgery in April to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. Expected to be ready for start of training camp.
DAVID BOOTH, LW, Florida. A very risky pick after suffering two concussions in 2009-10 season. Scored 31 goals and 60 points the season before.
MATTIAS OHLUND, D, Tampa Bay.Underwent a minor procedure on his right leg in May. Not the points-producer he once was.
TIM THOMAS, G, Boston. Thomas was on the ice Sept.7 following off-season hip surgery. He should be ready to back up Bruins' #1 goalie Tuuka Rask at season start.
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