Right now my NHL fantasy roster looks like a Christmas Tree (or holiday bush for those of you who are easily offended) lit up with giant IR's and DTD's next to virtually every player.

The star players in the NHL seem to be falling apart faster than our global economy. The Washington Capitals lost their star forward (and probably the 1st pick overall in just about every Fantasy Draft) Alexander Ovechkin to an upper-body injury over the weekend against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Ovechkin currently leads the league with 14 goals.

Ovechkin is listed week-to-week right now, but the Caps hope their best player will only be sidelined for two.

The Pittsburgh Penguins who have already lost defenceman Sergei Gonchar to a broken wrist will now also be without their star forward Evgeni Malkin to an injured shoulder. Malkin had collected 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) in 12 games with the Penguins and had been playing with the sore shoulder for over a week. The Penguins opted to proceed with caution and rest him... a luxury they can afford considering their hot start to the season which has propelled them to first overall in the league.

Also joining the list of injured players are Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo (broken rib), and forward Daniel Sedin ( broken foot), St. Louis Blues forward Andy McDonald (head / neck injury), Philadelphia Flyers forwards Danny Briere (groin), and Simon Gagne (hernia), Ottawa Senators forward Jason Spezza (upper body), New Jersey Devils forward Patrik Elias (groin), and defenceman Paul Martin (broken arm), Nashville Predators forward and captain Jason Arnott (arm) and defenceman Shea Weber (foot), Florida Panthers forward David Booth (concussion), Edmonton Oilers defenceman Sheldon Souray (concussion), Dallas Stars forwards Mike Modano (ribs), and Brad Richards (groin) and the Anaheim Ducks goaltender JS Giguere (groin).

Obviously there are way more than this, 110 actually, but these are the more notable names. The real downer here is that things may get worse rather than improve due to the NHL's schedule which has been accelerated to accommodate the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in February. Consider also that players selected to play for their countries will be expected to play several extra games in a little over a week during that break... which will surely take a physical toll on many of them and perhaps threaten their clubs run at the playoffs in April ( I remember what happened to the Rangers and their collapse after Henrik Lundqvist backstopped Sweden to the gold medal... he only won one game in March following the Olympics).

Right now Team Canada and especially Team Russia are reeling with injuries and would be without many of their top players. Rough times my friends.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh