NHL Player News

Monday, May 21

• 05/21/12 - 8:42AM ETBrandon Dubinsky : Return on Tap?

  Dubinsky (leg) was wearing a blue jersey during the Rangers' morning skate on Monday, indicating he may be active for Game 4 against the Devils, Andrew Gross of the Bergen County Record reports.

  Coach John Tortorella said that all lineup changes would be game-time decisions, but Dubinsky is certainly in the mix to be considered as a replacement for suspended winger Brandon Prust. Stu Bickel was also wearing a blue jersey on Monday, though Dubinsky would provide more of an offensive threat if fully healthy.

Saturday, May 19

• 05/19/12 - 1:15PM ETClaude Giroux : Surgery On Both Wrists

  Giroux has had double wrist surgery and will need six weeks of recovery before he can resume activities, reports the Associated Press.

  His right wrist needed repair for torn cartilage; his left required the removal of bone spurs. He still managed to deliver 17 points in 10 postseason contests, a tally good enough to still stand Saturday as the league's best thus far. No worries for next season; he'll be as good as new.

Friday, May 18

• 05/18/12 - 5:00PM ETRyan Kesler : Expected Out For At Least Six Months

  Kesler, who underwent surgery May 8 to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, will be out at least six full months and will not return early, reports the Vancouver Province.

  It appears Kesler learned a lesson from pushing up his return from surgery last fall. His production plummeted this season from 41 to 22 goals after he returned Oct. 18 from July 25 hip surgery. "I'm not going to come back early," Kesler said this week. "It's going to take six months and the surgeon [Dr. Anthony Miniaci of the Cleveland Clinic] is not going to release me until I'm at full strength and mobility ... even if it goes until December, I'm not coming back until I'm 110 per cent when I know I'm ready and able to play my game." Adjust your draft expectations and keeper decisions accordingly.

• 05/18/12 - 10:34AM ETMilan Hejduk : Signs With Avs

  Hejduk signed a one-year deal with the Avalanche on Friday, James Mirtle of the Globe & Mail reports.

  The 36-year-old was contemplating retirement at the end of March, but he's decided to return next year for another campaign. Hejduk recorded a career-low 37 points (14G, 23A) this year despite missing only one game. He finished with a minus-12 ratio, but the team clearly felt the veteran winger was worth bringing back. Hejduk has spent his entire 12-year NHL career with the Avalanche.