The Fifth Liners

Tampa Bay Lightning's #3 draft pick Jonathan Drouin was injured last night while playing for the Halifax Mooseheads. Quebec Remparts' Adam Erne hit Drouin sending him face first into the glass. Erne picked up a major penalty and a game misconduct for his hit on his potential future teammate. Both players were picked by the Lightning. Drouin returned to the bench after leaving the ice but played no more part in the game after showing concussion-ish symptoms. Hopefully it's nothing but Drouin will be reassessed by team doctors this weekend.

When the NFL settled its concussion case for $765 million in august, it was only a matter of time until the NHL's lawyers would be facing the same suit.  Concussion is a very real part of hockey with heads hitting ice, boards and fists in pretty much every game. NHL poster boy Sidney Crosby has missed a lot of games through concussion related injury. Chris Pronger hasn't played a game of hockey since 2011 for the same reason. What started as a 10 man lawsuit now has over 200 names and is expected to get bigger, although whether or not it reaches the almost 5000 names that the NFL suit did remains to be seen. The original 10 players were enforcers in the 70s, 80s and 90s, a role that by design is going to attract the most punches. Former Avalanche enforcer Scott Parker recently told the Denver Post about his daily struggles due to concussion issues. Although he says that he knew the risks and isn't part of the suit. A number of allegations have been made, the g...

Not unlike an actual avalanche, the Colorado Avalanche has been fairly unstoppable recently. But, also like an avalanche, once they've run out of momentum, progress will grind to a halt*. The boys from Denver have now lost their last three games in a row and in last night's surprise 4-1 home defeat to the Florida Panthers , Superstar center Matt Duchene has suffered an apparent oblique injury. No word yet on whether the injury is serious our not. Duchene, who's current the Av's leading goal scorer was unable to finish the game. Duchene has scored 12 goals and has 8 assists this season. Colorado's home stand continues when the teams hosts the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. We wish him a speedy recovery. *Maybe. I'm no scientist.

After leaving the Kings Vs Sabres game early with an injury, the LA Kings ' main goaltender Jonathan Quick has been sent back to the team's doctors in LA and will likely miss the rest of the New York road trip. The injury, through to be a hamstring or groin strain will keep Quick out for a few games. Ben Scrivens , who took to the ice to replace Quick in the Sabres game will stand between the sticks for the NY Islanders game tonight. Martin Jones has been called up from the AHL's Manchester Monarchs and will back up Scrivens. It's not known when Quick will return to the ice. While this isn't a huge worry for the Kings, who have a great back up in Scrivens, it is possibly a worry for the USA Olympic team, of which Quick is pretty much guaranteed to be the starting goalie. Or maybe he'll run it off and be playing next week. Either way, get well soon.

It's been over a week since Montreal Canadiens' George Parros was stretchered from the ice  in the Habs' opener against the Maple Leafs. Although there's no date for Parros' return, he's said to be almost free of symptoms and recovering well. Full story here . Hat-tip to the Montreal Gazette for the full story.

After his trip to hospital to dissolve a blood clot, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun will be out three to six months while he recovers. The announcement was made today. Rookie Jeff Zatkoff will serve as Marc-Andre Fleury's backup. We both wish Vokoun a speedy recovery and hope to see him back soon.

Scary times for the Montreal Canadiens . George Parros and Carlton Orr have shared a rivalry going back a few years, and last night was no different. Parros and Orr clashed throughout the game, but things came to a dramatic end for the American. During a fight early in the third period between Parros and Orr, Parros took a tumble over Orr and hit the ice head first, lying unconscious. Orr immediately jumped up and signaled to the bench that something was wrong. Parros was stretchered off and was said to be responsive later in the dressing room. It's unfortunate that these things happen and will no doubt provide fuel for the skeptics opposed to fighting. Although this was an unlucky fall, and by no means was Orr at fault, it still puts a shadow over our beloved game.

With just three days to go before the Red Wings take to the ice for the first time this season, the team has added the following players to its injury reserve list. Darren Helm Patrick Eaves Jonas Gustavsson Jordin Tootoo Helm and Eaves are on the long term IR, which means that they'll miss a minimum of 10 games. Tootoo and Gustavsson are on the seven day IR. They can expect to miss the first three games of the season. Thanks to the Red Wings' Facebook page for the update.

The Edmonton Oilers have been dealt another blow before the new hockey season starts as it has been announced that centre Sam Gagner will be out indefinitely with a broken jaw! Already short of one center due to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins being out for at least the next month as he recovers from a broken shoulder! It is rumoured that Taylor Hall will temporarily replace Nugent Hopkins at center, but there is no word from the Oilers management as to who will fill Gagner shoes this season! It will be interesting to see how Craig MacTavish and Dallas Eakins deal with this one! 

The Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be without Tomas Vokoun after the Czech goalie was taken to hospital with what turned out to be a blood clot in his thigh. Vokoun, who played 20 games last season had surgery and is expected to stay in hospital for a few days. We both wish him a speedy recovery.

David Booth is set to return from injury for the  Vancover Canucks for the first time since March 16th and is expected to play in their pre-season friendly against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place according to the Canucks website. Acquired from the Florida Panthers in 2011, Booth so far has 29 points in 56 games with Vancouver but only managed 1 goal and 3 points last season due to an ankle injury sustained against Detroit.