Looks as if we won’t be seeing Shawn Matthias in game action for quite some time: OFP is reporting the center will be sidelined potentially up to eight weeks after breaking his right ankle in the final game heading into All-Star weekend. Says coach Peter DeBoer: “He’s a big guy who gets up and down the ice. He’ll be missed, but this is someone else’s opportunity.”
Just whose opportunity it ultimately becomes will ride upon the efforts of a recently-MIA Michael Frolik, who will evidently take Matty’s spot on the fourth line, at least early on. Much more from On Frozen Pond here.
At worst, the initial timetable for Matthias’ return places him back in the lineup the first week of April. Tough loss for him personally and the organization as a whole.
Now what?
| It happens; hope for the best with current lineup, escape the season | 41 |
| Recall an asset from ROC (of which they’re rather thin already); likely unavoidable | 25 |
| Future be damned: trade for a center | 18 |