Drury and Dubinsky Injury Updates

Starting with Drury, the Rangers Captain took a check to the head by Flames forward Curtis Glencross last night at the Saddledome, which has resulted in a concussion. Okay, so we know that already. What I did not realize yesterday is that this is the third career concussion for Drury in his career, which makes me a bit nervous that this one could do some real damage. Chris limped off of the ice and was a bit dizzy while doing so, and that right there is not a good sign. However, he should be thankful that he was able to walk and did not need to be taken out on a stretcher like Brendan Shanahan had to just a few years back.

There has been no timetable set as to when he will return, and no news on whether or not he will be placed on injured reserve. Now it is just a matter of treating it correctly, and allowing ample time for it to heal. Concussions are one of the worst injuries as they are very unpredictable. One day, Chris may feel normal, and the next he may have a relapse and begin to suffer from headaches. I do not expect him to return to the lineup anytime soon.

John Tortorella on the hit on Drury....."Obviously, they didn't see it. It should have been a five-minute major." (More on Blue Notes)

As for Dubinsky, the official injury has yet to be announced, but head coach John Tortorella did go as far as saying that Brandon should be out for quite a while. To me, the shot definitely could have shattered bones in Dubinsky's hand, as well as broke it, but I am not a doctor nor have I seen it up close. I am just speculating here. Torts also said that it ripped through the skin, which most likely means it had rough contact with the bones within it.

Tortorella on whether Dubi's injury will be long term....."I think, yeah, I'm not sure, they told me something was opened up. I'm sure it's gonna be a little while. Rammer (trainer Jim Ramsey) came to the bench and said it opened up the skin, I'm not sure if it's broken or not. But he'll probably be out for awhile."

So with this, the Rangers will be without two centers for an uncertain amount of time. Vinny Prospal will move back to center on the first line, and I would expect Artem Anisimov to be promoted to second line center. That leaves the third line center position open. The Rangers have the option to either move Boyle to that line, or they could always call up someone from Hartford; maybe P.A. Parenteau, Evgeny Grachev, or Corey Locke.

The Rangers are off until Thursday, which gives the staff ample time to sort things out and come to a decision on what they will do with this roster. I would probably call up P.A. Parenteau being that he has been brought up to the NHL level already this year, and because I feel like Grachev needs as much time in the AHL as he can get right now.

More Later.....
(Photo courtesy of Reuters Pictures)