Hedman out 3-6 weeks for Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman will be out 3-6 weeks because of a lower-body injury.

Hedman was injured when he banged knees with Calgary Flames forward Garnet Hathaway during the Lightning's 5-1 loss Thursday. Hedman was helped off the ice at 6:13 of the second period.

Hedman was one of four Lightning players selected to participate in the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Amalie Arena in Tampa on Jan. 28 (3:30 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, SN, TVA Sports), along with center Steven Stamkos, forward Nikita Kucherov and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Hedman, 27, has 33 points (six goals, 27 assists) with a plus-24 rating in 44 games this season. The No. 2 pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, he has 334 points (71 goals, 263 assists) in 593 games through nine seasons, all with the Lightning.

Tampa Bay's loss to the Flames was the last game before its League-mandated break, which lasts six days. The Lightning resume play against the Vegas Golden Knights at Amalie Arena on Thursday.

Kreider out indefinitely for Rangers

Forward Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers is out indefinitely because of a blood clot in his right arm.

Kreider left the Rangers' 1-0 shootout victory against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday with 22 seconds remaining in the first period because of what coach Alain Vigneault said was an upper-body injury. He played seven shifts totaling 5:04 of ice time and had two shots on goal.

Vigneault said Thursday that Kreider felt swelling in his arm before the game but was cleared to play after being examined by doctors. After the first period the swelling had increased and Kreider was sent to the hospital, where testing discovered the blood clot.

Kreider is tied for fourth on the Rangers in scoring with 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 37 games.

The Rangers recalled forward Vinni Lettieri from Hartford of the American Hockey League. Lettieri, 22, has 21 points (12 goals, nine assists) in 31 games.

The Rangers play at the Detroit Red Wings on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET; FS-D, MSG, NHL.TV) and then play the Buffalo Sabres in the 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Citi Field in New York on Monday (1 p.m. ET; NBC, SN, TVA Sports, NHL.TV).

Wild goalie Dubnyk week to week with lower-body injury

NHL.com

Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk is week to week with a lower-body injury.

Dubnyk was injured in the first period of a 2-1 shootout win against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.

"He's coming on the trip but he's not going to play," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "He will probably (be) off the ice until the weekend. Then we're going to Ottawa (Tuesday) and then Florida (Dec. 22), he's got a better chance to get on the ice and work with the team.

Following a game against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, the Wild begin a four-game road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

RELATED: Fantasy impact of Dubnyk injury

In 23 games this season, Dubnyk is 12-8-2 with a 2.69 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage with three shutouts. He's started at least 65 games in each of the past two seasons with the Wild.

"You probably don't notice it early on," Boudreau said. "It'll be noticeable if he has an extended period of time out. I mean, like any great player, the teams get back the first week or two because they play above what they're capable of because they know great players are out. If it lasts three, four, five weeks then all of a sudden they're in the same boat as a lot of other teams that have lost their No. 1 goalie. It becomes problematic."

Backup Alex Stalock replaced Dubnyk and made 16 saves on 17 shots in the win against Calgary. He will start against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; FS-N, SND, NHL.TV).

Stalock is 4-3-1 with a 2.93 GAA and .907 save percentage this season.

"He's done well for us," Boudreau said. "The only game where he's been moderately average was [a 7-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 27] and the rest of the guys didn't really help him that night but we have all the confidence in the world in him."

The Wild recalled goaltender Steve Michalek from Iowa of the American Hockey League. He is 6-1-2 with a 2.52 goals-against average and .926 save percentage this season. The 24-year-old was selected by Minnesota in the sixth round (No. 161) of the 2011 NHL Draft.

- NHL.com Correspondent Jessi Pierce contributed

Blues place Pietrangelo on injured reserve

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was placed on injured reserve by the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday with a lower-body injury. 

Pietrangelo was injured blocking a shot in the Blues' 6-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Dec. 9. He left the game, then returned. 

The Blues also are without forward Jaden Schwartz, who was placed on injured reserve on Sunday with an injury to his right ankle that will keep him out for at least six weeks.

Pietrangelo, 27, has 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists), and ranks fifth in scoring among NHL defensemen. He is tied for second in goals among defensemen with Mikhail Sergachev of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Blues captain has 326 points (72 goals, 254 assists) in 569 NHL games, all with St. Louis.

Defenseman Jordan Schmaltz was recalled from San Antonio of the American Hockey League.

The Blues (21-8-2) have won four straight games and are tied with the Lightning (21-6-2) for the best record in the NHL with 44 points. They host the Lightning at Scottrade Center on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NHL.TV).

Oilers place Talbot on injured reserve

Goaltender Cam Talbot was placed on injured reserve by the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday with an upper-body injury.

Talbot was injured during a 3-2 overtime win to the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday, Oilers coach Todd McLellan said Wednesday. Talbot finished the game and made 29 saves.

Talbot is 10-10-1 with a 3.00 goals-against average and .903 save percentage in 22 games, all starts. He finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting last season after leading the NHL with 44 victories and 73 appearances, finishing with a 2.39 GAA.

He is eligible to return on Dec. 7.

The Oilers (10-13-2) are seventh in the Pacific Division after advancing to the Western Conference Second Round last season. They play the Toronto Maple Leafs at Rogers Place on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; TVA Sports, SNW, TSN4).

Edmonton called up goaltender Nick Ellis from Bakersfield of the American Hockey League. Ellis, 23, is 5-5-1 with a 2.82 GAA and .914 save percentage in 11 games.

Pens recall goaltender DeSmith from AHL, could be due to Murray's injury

The Pittsburgh Penguins have recalled goaltender Casey DeSmith from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Jim Rutherford.

This obviously means that Pens starting goalteder Matt Murray may miss some time between the pipes. Murray was hurt in Pittsburgh's game last night against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Murray exited with 4:21 left in the second period after Philadelphia’s Jakub Voracek crashed into him during a breakaway. The 23-year-old two-time Cup winner managed to skate off under his own power before limping down the runway clearly favoring his right leg. Murray will be re-evaluated on Tuesday.

Since returning to WBS earlier this month, the 6-foot-1, 181-pound DeSmith had assumed the top goaltending chores, compiling a 9-2-1 record, 2.29 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in 12 AHL appearances. He helped backstop the WBS Penguins to the top record in the AHL at the time of his recall.

DeSmith, 26, logged his first NHL action with the Penguins earlier this season. He made his NHL debut on October 29 in Winnipeg against the Jets.

- Joey Gucciardo

Devils forward Palmeri out 4-6 weeks with broken right foot

The New Jersey Devils announced on Wednesday that RW Kyle Palmeri will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken right foot he sustained when taking a show at the Wild on Nov. 20.

The Devils also said Palmeri is and will be working out off ice and evaluated by medical staff during that time.

Palmeri, 26, has recorded four goals and five assists in 13 appearances this season, and has one goal and one assist in his past five games.

Ducks forward Kesler has surgery, out 2 months; Fowler, Kesler responding well

Anaheim Ducks Executive VP/GM Bob Murray announced today that forward Ryan Getzlaf had surgery to repair a fracture to his zygomatic bone. Recovery could be up to 2 months.

Getzlaf has one goal and six assists for seven points in six games played in 2017-18. He has recorded six penalty minutes in those six games.

Murray also said that Cam Fowler is "moving really well," and that the forward's workouts are progressing into lateral movement. Murray won't change Fowler's, but he is seeing a positive response.

Murray also spoke of Ryan Kesler, saying he is making good progress. "He had to learn how to stride again," Murray said. "He's working his butt off." Kesler's timeline remains the same.

Fowler has a goal and an assist for two points in seven games this season. Kesler has not played an NHL contest this season, but recorded 22 points and 36 assists for 58 points in 2016-17

"It's hard to remember [an injury] with such elite players," Murray said. "Important people out of your lineup. No one will feel sorry for you."

Ducks defenseman Bieksa out with hand injury

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Kevin Bieksa is out with a hand injury, the team announced Thursday. There is no timetable for his return.

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said the injury is not to the right hand with which he punched Radko Gudas of the Flyers on Tuesday night.

The 36-year-old has recorded two assists with 29 penalty minutes and nine shots-on-goal in seven games played this season.

Penguins place Schultz on injured reserve

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz was placed on injured reserve Thursday.

Schultz sustained a concussion during the first period of Pittsburgh's 2-1 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.

In 10 games this season, Schultz, 27, has three points (one goal, two assists) and is third among Penguins defensemen with 18:36 of ice time per game.

The Penguins recalled defenseman Frank Corrado from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. Corrado has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 71 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Penguins.

Pittsburgh plays the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; ATTSN-PT, TSN3, NHL.TV).

Capitals place Burakovsky on injured reserve

Forward Andre Burakovsky was placed on injured reserve by the Washington Capitals on Tuesday because of an upper-body injury.

Burakovsky, 22, has four points (one goal, three assists) in nine games this season. He had 35 points (12 goals, 23 assists) in 64 games in 2016-17, and has 99 points (39 goals, 60 assists) in 205 games since entering the NHL in 2014. Burakovsky was Washington's first-round pick (No. 23) in the 2013 NHL Draft.

The Capitals recalled forward Chandler Stephenson from Hershey of the American Hockey League.

Stephenson, Washington's third-round choice (No. 77) in the 2012 NHL Draft, has no points in 13 NHL games with the Capitals, four last season and nine in 2015-16. He leads Hershey with five goals in six games this season.

Patrick Eaves dagnosed with possible Guillain-Barré syndrome

Anaheim Ducks forward Patrick Eaves was diagnosed with what is suspected to be Guillain-Barré syndrome, a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system.

Eaves is resting comfortably in stable condition at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California. He visited specialists last week after feeling signs of weakness, which later led to him being diagnosed and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. Eaves' condition stabilized over the weekend and he was transferred out of the ICU.

The Ducks said Eaves, who has one goal in two games this season and hasn't played since Oct. 13, is expected to make a full recovery.

"I want to thank Dr. Robert Watkins Sr. and Dr. Danny Benmoshe for their early diagnosis of my condition, along with the proactive Ducks medical team," Eaves said in a statement. "Thanks to them and the incredible nurses at Hoag Hospital, I'm on the road to recovery. I've received tremendous amount of support over the last few days, most importantly from my family, friends and teammates. I'm determined to fully overcome this and return to the ice as soon as possible."

Eaves, 33, signed a three-year contract extension with the Ducks on June 23 after setting NHL career highs in goals (32) and points (51) last season with Anaheim and the Dallas Stars.

"Our sole focus at this time is on Patrick's general health and well-being," Ducks general manager Bob Murray said. "We are grateful his condition was diagnosed early by Dr. Robert Watkins Sr. and Dr. Danny Benmoshe, and thank the staff at Hoag Hospital and our own medical personnel for their efforts. What defines Patrick Eaves is his strength of character, and that will serve him well in his recovery. Our thoughts are with Patrick and his family at this time."

Wild forward Parise has back surgery

Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise had back surgery on Tuesday and is expected to miss 8-10 weeks.

Parise, who has not played this season, was injured during training camp. He had a herniated disk in 2015-16 and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs that season because of a back injury.

Parise had a microdiscectomy on Tuesday, a procedure to provide relief from pain caused a herniated disk, in which the herniated portion of the lumbar disk is removed, according to spine-health.com.

Parise, 33, had 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 69 games for the Wild last season. He has missed 48 games because of injury in the past four seasons.

"He's obviously a great player," forward Jason Zucker said. "The stuff he brings on the ice goes without saying. He's also a great leader. He's a great guy to have around the room. We obviously miss having him. We are excited to look forward to that day when he's back playing with us."

Minnesota is also without forwards Nino Niederreiter (ankle), Charlie Coyle (fibula) and Mikael Granlund (groin), though Granlund, who has missed the past five games, is expected to return Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks (8 p.m. ET; FS-N, SNV, NHL.TV).

Flames place Jagr on Injured Reserve

Forward Jaromir Jagr was placed on injured reserve by the Calgary Flames on Monday because of a lower-body injury.

Jagr, 45, was injured during the first period against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday and did not return to the game, a 4-2 Flames loss.

In five games since signing a one-year, $1 million contract with the Flames on Oct. 4, Jagr has two assists. He had been playing on the top line, with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau.

Jagr is fourth all-time in NHL games played with 1,716, and needs to play 51 to tie Gordie Howe's record of 1,767. He is third with 765 NHL goals, behind Wayne Gretzky (894) and Howe (801), and is second in points with 1,916, behind Gretzky (2,857).

The Flames recalled forward Mark Jankowski from Stockton of the American Hockey League on Monday.

Calgary next plays at the Nashville Predators on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; FS-TN, SNF, NHL.TV).

Schneider placed on Injured Reserve by Devils

New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider was placed on injured reserve Friday because of a lower-body injury.

Schneider was injured in the Devils' 5-4 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday and was replaced by Keith Kinkaid to start the third period. 

Schneider is 4-1-0 with a 3.30 goals-against average and .907 save percentage.

The move was made retroactive to Oct. 19, and Schneider will be eligible to play against the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 27 when the Devils return from a six-day break. 

New Jersey recalled goaltender Scott Wedgewood from Binghamton of the American Hockey League under emergency conditions to back up Kinkaid.

The Devils play the San Jose Sharks at Prudential Center on Friday (7 p.m. ET; MSG+, NBCSCA, NHL.TV).

Capitals place Niskanen on long-term injured reserve

The Washington Capitals placed defenseman Matt Niskanen on long-term injured reserve Saturday with an upper-body injury.

Niskanen left in the second period of Washington's 5-2 victory at the New Jersey Devils on Friday and did not return. He is listed as week to week. Niskanen has one assist in Washington's first five games and was averaging 23:22 of ice time through four games. He played 12:18 against the Devils.

Niskanen, 30, has been a durable player, missing five games in the past four seasons. He has 270 points (49 goals, 221 assists) in 738 NHL games over 11 seasons with the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Capitals.

Washington recalled defenseman Madison Bowey from Hershey of the American Hockey League. Bowey, 22, will make his NHL debut Saturday when the Capitals play at the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, NBCSWA, NHL.TV). Bowey will be paired with Christian Djoos, who made his NHL debut Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The two were partners in Hershey last season.

Blackhawks F Wingels to miss 6-to-8 weeks with fractured foot

Chicago Blackhawks forward Tommy Wingels sustained a left foot fracture during his offseason training and the recovery will take six to eight weeks, the team announced Friday.

Wingels, 29, signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks as free agency opened on July 1.

"Tommy Wingels sustained a left foot fracture during his offseason training. We anticipate a full recovery in six to eight weeks and in time for training camp. We do not anticipate any long-term issues," the Blackhawks' head team physician, Dr. Michael Terry, said in a statement.

Wingels recorded 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 73 games split between the San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators during the 2016-17 season. He also skated in nine playoff games with the Senators, who acquired him in a trade from San Jose in January.

Wingels, a native of Wilmette, Ill., set career highs with 16 goals, 22 assists and 38 points during the 2013-14 campaign with San Jose. He was drafted by the Sharks in the sixth round in 2008.

Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa will not play next season

CHICAGO -- Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa will not play next season because of a progressive skin disorder and side effects of medication to treat it.

Hossa, 38, has experienced allergic reactions to his equipment, Sportsnet reported Tuesday.

Hossa said he has been undergoing treatment for the disorder under the supervision of the Blackhawks medical staff for the past few years, but the side effects, and his reaction to them, made it impossible for him to play in what would have been his 20th NHL season in 2017-18.

"While I am disappointed that I will not be able to play, I have to consider the severity of my condition and how the treatments have impacted my life both on and off the ice," Hossa said.

Hossa has 1,134 points (525 goals, 609 assists) in 1,309 games with the Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings. He ranks 34th in NHL goals, 80th in assists, 54th in points, and 60th in games played. He has 149 points (52 goals, 97 assists) in 205 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

It remains unclear if Hossa, who has four years remaining on his contract, will return following next season.

Ducks C Ryan Kesler has hip surgery, will be out 3 months

Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler has undergone hip surgery that will keep the Selke Trophy finalist away from full hockey activity for 12 weeks.

The 32-year-old Kesler had surgery last week, the Ducks announced Saturday.

Kesler had bone fragments removed during a general cleaning of his hip. The Ducks will begin training camp in approximately three months.

Kesler had 22 goals and 36 assists during the regular season, but he managed just one goal in 17 playoff games while Anaheim advanced to the Western Conference finals.

The 13-year NHL veteran is a finalist for the trophy awarded to the NHL’s top defensive forward next week. Kesler won the award in 2011.

The Ducks also signed forward Nic Kerdiles to a one-year, $650,000 contract extension.

Anaheim Ducks move to buy out injured D Simon Despres

By GREG BEACHAM
Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Anaheim Ducks are parting ways with defenseman Simon Despres, whose once-promising career has been curtailed by serious concussion issues.

The Ducks placed Despres on waivers Friday. General manager Bob Murray indicated the club will buy out the remainder of his $18.5 million contract.

Despres was just one game into his five-year contract extension last fall when the Ducks lost him for the entire season with his third apparent head injury in 12 months.

“Simon Despres is a good hockey player and a good person,” Murray said in a statement. “But at this point in time, we feel it is in the best interests of both Simon and the organization to part ways. We wish him the very best in the future.”

Despres earned his contract extension with outstanding play for Anaheim late in the 2014-15 season after arriving in a trade with Pittsburgh. The Penguins’ first-round pick in 2009 couldn’t land a steady NHL role until he excelled with the Ducks, who finished one game shy of the Stanley Cup Final that spring.

But Despres missed 42 games during the 2015-16 season with a concussion from an illegal hit by Colorado’s Tyson Barrie, and he was hurt again by a hit to the head in March 2016.

Despres was injured yet again in the Ducks’ season opener in Dallas last October. Although Despres attended several playoff games and even skated before practice last month, he never appeared to be close to returning to action, even while the Ducks returned to the Western Conference finals.

On Twitter, Despres thanked the Ducks “for a wonderful 2 and a half years. I wish my teammates all the best moving forward.”

Anaheim has disclosed few details about Despres’ health during the past two seasons, other than to affirm Despres’ struggles with head injuries. Murray didn’t mention Despres’ concussion problems in a brief statement announcing the move, and nobody has speculated on whether Despres will play hockey again.

A buyout would keep Despres on Anaheim’s payroll until 2025, but only at a total cost of just over $5 million. The move is financially friendly for the budget-conscious Ducks, who will gain flexibility under the salary cap by reducing Despres’ payday.

The Ducks are maneuvering to keep together their talented young corps of defensemen. All-Star blueliner Cam Fowler is working on a long-term contract extension, while three promising defensemen will be restricted free agents next summer: Josh Manson, Brandon Montour and Shea Theodore.

___

More AP NHL: http://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockey