It is never easy to foresee the unforeseen. Injuries happen every day in the NHL and here at Fantasy Alarm, our goal will be to help you try to stay on top of those maladies. Counting all the latest bumps, bites, and bruises, there were 85 players held out of lineups. Eight of those are long term injuries from a previous year. Those players likely won’t return or have retired. That leaves 77 who have been hurt either over the summer or in October. Here are some of the more notable ouches out there and their possible prognosis.

Centers

Bryan Little was thought to be out much longer than what recent reports are suggesting. He’s still going to miss significant time, but maybe not the months originally speculated. He suffered a lower body injury and was put on the injured reserve on October 13. No one has ever said what is bothering Little actually. The term being used is lower body injury. It is rumored to be a knee that will keep him out now until late November. That is about 3-to-4 weeks away. Winnipeg clearly misses their second line center and his impacts on special teams are being felt by his absence.

Jason Spezza is among the half dozen walking wounded for the Dallas Stars. He is currently day to day with a lower body injury. Spezza has currently missed two games but no one in Dallas believes this to be anything more than a short term, 7-to-10-day type malady. He potentially could be back as soon as this weekend. The center will be monitored in practice Friday and the game day skate Saturday to see if he can go.

Ryan Getzlaf was a late add due to a minor injury. This is another one of those minor wait-and-see type of maladies. The best thing to do is just keep an eye on practice to see how he is progressing. He is not expected to miss much more time but is questionable for Friday with that arm issue.

Wingers

David Backes had a bursa sac removed from his elbow earlier in the week. What in the what? Basically fluid built up and it had to be taken care of. Don Sweeney did go on record saying there would be an update after the weekend but Claude Julien did not rule him out for Saturday. Either way do not expect him to miss all that much more time. He is more likely to play early next week.

Jeff Skinner is an interesting case for Carolina. Some are considering this a lower body injury and others are using the middle body as a reference point. He was on the ice for the morning skate on Friday and could very well return tonight. If not, then he returns over the weekend.

Thomas Vanek has the dreaded groin issue that just seems to dog him while he is on a hot streak. See Marian Gaborik as to what chronic groin injuries can do to a player. Core injuries tend to impact other parts of the body with age. It is part of why Vanek was given easier minutes in the early going. Some are saying the hip flexor has also been affected. He missed Thursday’s game with St. Louis and may miss more. Keep an eye on this.

Chris Kreider is still out with neck spasms and now it appears like he will be out all weekend as well. The Rangers winger was on a hot start before he wrenched something. First, Rick Nash and now him. Maybe they need to change how they sleep. Whatever it is, it will cost fantasy owners at least a couple more games.

Defensemen

Kris Letang looked like he might return Thursday night against the New York Islanders but it was not meant to be. The problem is that Letang is right up to that five games missed threshold to be put on injured reserve. However, the upper body injury seems to be healing and he did practice Thursday. Perhaps a weekend or early next week return is becoming more likely.

Ryan Pulock may have been the most unfortunate injury of all. He was considered probable to make the Islanders roster and yet was sent down to the AHL only to be finally called up last week. He played not even one period and all he did was block a shot. The problem is that it resulted in a broken foot. Pulock is now expected to miss at least 3-5 more weeks. His power play potential is missed in fantasy leagues.

Goalies

Tuukka Rask and the general body soreness caused him to basically miss this week’s starts. As of now, he did practice on Friday and is questionable for Saturday according to Tim Rosenthal of Bruins Daily. If the goalie starts is up in the air at this juncture. Waiting and seeing what happens next is probably a good idea. Remember that Anton Khudobin is also hurt and out as well. Only Los Angeles currently has its first and second string goalies out of their lineup right now.

Robin Lehner is still sidelined with a severe illness that has caused him to lose some weight. If it feels like the Carey Price flu/illness then it might just be. He is finally on the mend and will skate with the team Friday. His status for the weekend is questionable as the goalie probably needs at least a good practice or two before feeling a little more in game shape.

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Chris Wassel can be heard on Fantasy Hockey X every Tuesday night at 9pm ET and on various places throughout the internet. He can be followed on Fantasy Alarm and Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS.