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McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09

Someone needs to wrap up Mark Eaton in protective plastic at this point.

Another Pengins defensemen is hurt. This time it's Jay McKee (above). He will be sidelined two to four week due to an infected finger.

McKee has appeared in 21 games this seasons recording five points (one goal, four assists) and is a plus five. Along with Colorado defenseman Brett Clark, he is tied for the league lead in blocked shots with 69.

He could be replaced by defenseman Sergei Gonchar who has not played since Oct. 20 due to a broken wrist. 

EN Says: Remember back on Oct. 21 when word came down Gonchar would be gone for a few weeks? Remember how nervous you felt wondering if the team would be able to get by with just one of its defensemen down?

Now, the news of a defensemen getting hurt is almost comical. Almost.

McKee's obviously a big loss, but at this point, can this team be any worse off with its fifth defensemen down?

And who would ever think Mark Eaton would be the team's iron man on defense?

(Photo: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Posted Nov 18 2009, 02:06 PM by Seth Rorabaugh

Comments

Disgruntled Goat wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 2:36 PM

"Someone needs to wrap up Mark Eaton in protective plastic at this point." You mean like this?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YFC0O393DQ

I hope they don't rush Gonchar before he's ready.

SMIZIK!!!!

Sooska wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 3:03 PM

UNREAL on all counts. I suspect Shero will make Eaton wear a suit of armor on the ice and give him a mace instead of a stick in order to defend himself (he has a history of bad luck injuries or injury form a dirty hit), a full goalie-type mask, or perhaps extra padding a la Stay Puff Marshmallow Man. He will live in a plastic bubble and have a highly paid official food taster. He will be accompanied to and from the rink by armed guards and ride in a bullet proof limo. They will stage rolling road closures like for Presidential parties. Dahntahn around the Igloo will have riot police ala the G20 to ensure Eaton's safety. The will insure him thru Lloyd's of London.  God help him and us.

Bones wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 3:10 PM

Wow. Who would even be McKee's replacement if Gonchar can't go tomorrow night? Something called Chris Lee? Unbelievable...

FireBettman08 wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 3:32 PM

an infected finger????

JL58 wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 3:35 PM

Our Defense is too "soff."  

Disgruntled Goat wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 3:37 PM

You don't know where that finger's been.

FireBettman08 wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 3:50 PM

@DG, true. Though I wasn't aware Hartnell had been around any of the Pens in a while...

belial1134 wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 3:52 PM

Infected finger? I hear that and think of a cut that got infected but to be out 2-4 weeks?? Wonder if infected finger is hockey speak for a fractured finger.

Eaton should be excused from practice going forward...it's for his safety.

Disgruntled Goat wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 3:59 PM

I wish Ryan Whitney was still here.

So we could trade him for a healthy defenseman.

RichYan33 wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 4:08 PM

Other than like during the flu pandemic of like 1919, show me another time when an NHL team lost five of it's top 6 defensemen at the same time.

probably58 wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 4:14 PM

Maybe in training camp they found that tiki idol necklace from the Brady Bunch- that can be the only reasonable explanation

Disgruntled Goat wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 4:22 PM

The Oilers have actually lost 6 defensemen so far this year, though not all at the same time.

bleacherreport.com/.../288648-despite-new-injuries-there-may-be-good-news-for-oiler-fans

JP Connection wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 4:45 PM

I can't even comprehend this anymore.  When do we hit rock bottom regarding injured defensemen?

War Penguin wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 5:05 PM

I'm not a doctor -- I don't even play one on the Internet -- but I have to wonder if the infected finger isn't the dreaded MRSA.

@probably58, +1: I was thinking of the B. Lee Band song about that the other day.  Can't find it on youtube, but here are the lyrics: www.kovideo.net/.../Mr-Hanalei.html

Disgruntled Goat wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 5:23 PM

"When do we hit rock bottom regarding injured defensemen?"

When Shero signs Chris Chelios.

Blue Line wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 5:50 PM

In a related note, Geno is refusing to play the point on the power play  until further notice.

aandreww wrote re: McKee out two to four weeks; Gonchar's return possible -11-18-09
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 7:59 PM

I'm telling you Seth, get Smizik to write that Hockey God apology letter.  Or have him sacrifice something or someone.

TODAY’S HEADLINES | Football Blog wrote TODAY’S HEADLINES | Football Blog
on Wed, Nov 18 2009 11:33 PM

Pingback from  TODAY’S HEADLINES | Football Blog

Gonchar Could Return Thursday :: FantasyHockey.com wrote Gonchar Could Return Thursday :: FantasyHockey.com
on Thu, Nov 19 2009 12:02 AM

Pingback from  Gonchar Could Return Thursday :: FantasyHockey.com

Injury Updates 11/19/2009 - The Hot Stove - NHLHotStove.com wrote Injury Updates 11/19/2009 - The Hot Stove - NHLHotStove.com
on Thu, Nov 19 2009 12:05 AM

Pingback from  Injury Updates 11/19/2009 - The Hot Stove - NHLHotStove.com