Adding Players On Injured Reserve

One of my favorite strategies as a fantasy hockey manager is stashing players on the IR until they are healthy enough to return. You really have to do your homework on the subject in order to stay ahead of the other managers in your league, so hopefully this will give you an idea of the most ideal players to stash on injured reserve for the time being. Some players will be back shortly while others may miss an extended period of time.

Stashing certainly isn’t for every manager. If you have a team riddled with injuries, it may be best to keep the valuable players you have on IR until they are able to return to action, then consider finding some players to stash. For those of you with a healthy team, it may be wise to add some of the following players to your roster as they may be able to produce for you both short term and long term:

Bryan McCabe – Florida Panthers
Injury: Back Strain (updated)
Expected Return: November 6th
Analysis: Bryan McCabe has made a quick recovery and should be in Florida’s lineup on Thursday. In his absence, Keith Ballard has been holding down the fort for the Panthers. Expect McCabe to join Ballard on the blue line on the man advantage. You may be asking yourself “what about Jay Bouwmeester?” Ballard has had a fantastic start to the season and continues to produce night in and night out. Don’t expect Florida to take any minutes away from Ballard. Bouwmeester has been flat in the early going and the hopes of McCabe and Ballard providing a 1,2 punch from the back end may keep Jay-Bo in the shadows until he can pick up his game.

Sergei Zubov – Dallas Stars
Injury: Hip
Expected Return: November 7th
Analysis: Zubov will get his first taste of action this season on Friday. The Stars have had decent help from the point this season thus far, however, it certainly won’t compare to what Zubov can do if he is able to remain healthy. If someone gave up on Zubov in your league, make a play for him. He’s well worth the risk.

Jochen Hecht – Buffalo Sabres
Injury: Broken Finger
Expected Return: November 7th
Analysis: Hecht will be back on the 2nd line in Buffalo this Friday and should jump right in to the power play situation. The situation in Buffalo is ripe for Hecht to tally between 50 and 60 points this season. Sure, he missed a few weeks do to injury, but if all goes well for the rest of the season, he should be a key contributor both even strength and on the power play. If he’s available in your league, make the add.

Chuck Kobasew – Boston Bruins
Injury: Broken Finger
Expected Return: November 6th or November 8th
Analysis: It will be an interesting scenario in Boston with Kobasew coming back. Michael Ryder and Phil Kessel are both playing decent puck, so that should leave the Kobasew stuck on the 3rd line. However, after last season’s goal outburst, you would think that the Bruins would find a spot on one of the top two lines for Kobasew. If your league rewards heavily for goal scoring, certainly make the add and see what Boston does with him. He’ll be in good company on the first two lines, so if that’s where he ends up playing, expect some rock solid production.

Erik Johnson – St. Louis Blues
Injury: Torn ACL
Expected Return: Late March/Early April
Analysis: With the Blues strapped for point scoring defensemen, the return of Erik Johnson couldn’t come soon enough. The highly touted defender was lost for the season after a freak golfing accident left him with a torn ACL. It’s a long ways away for sure, but if you have the capacity to throw him on your roster, he may be able to return for the final 5-10 games if all goes well. For those of you in deep keeper leagues, Johnson may be worth the stash for next year. For everyone else, throw him on injured reserve and see where it takes you. If your team is relatively healthy, it really isn’t doing you a disservice.

Brian Rolston – New Jersey Devils
Injury: Sprained Ankle
Expected Return: Unknown
Analysis: If someone in your league dropped Rolston, it may not be a bad play to stash him and wait until he returns. We know he’s a great playmaker and with more expected from the offense now that Brodeur is out, he’ll certainly fit right back in to the first two lines. There isn’t any timetable for his return, but from the looks of his progress, look for him to return within the next month.

Joni Pitkanen – Carolina Hurricanes
Injury: Knee Surgery
Expected Return: Early to Mid-December
Analysis: Before Pitkanen went down, he was playing extremely well for the ‘Canes and should resume the power play quarterback role once he returns to the lineup. If he was dropped, consider stashing him based on your needs. He’ll be back in about a month and with as well as the team is playing now, it could benefit your power play production in a big way.

Justin Williams – Carolina Hurricanes
Injury: Torn Achilles
Expected Return: Anywhere from January to March
Analysis: Williams has a wide timetable for return, however, expect to see him more towards March than anything. It’s a very serious injury, so instead of rushing him back, they will probably allow him to heal properly and get him back towards the end of the season. We’re slowly starting to learn that he is a bit injury prone, but when he’s on the ice, he’s an excellent source of points. This one is extremely long term, so make sure you have the capacity to hold him for the season before you make the add.

Marian Gaborik – Minnesota Wild
Injury: Lower Body
Expected Return: Unknown
Analysis: Don’t expect to find Gabby on the waiver wire. Chances are someone already owns him, but because of his current status, and his history, those managers who may be cruising here early on and can afford to take on an injured player that may pay dividends long term, consider making a play for Gaborik. It’s very high risk, very high reward, so make sure you have the capacity to do something like this. Gabby is extremely injury prone, however, when he’s on the ice, he plays all-star caliber puck. He could be worth a play, especially if the manager you are trying to acquire him from is fed up with the injuries. I don’t recommend this to everyone. Understand your situation before you go living dangerously.