Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Oilers Lose Horcoff to Possible MCL Injury

The Edmonton Oilers will now have their mettle tested with the loss of Shawn Horcoff to what is believed to be a major knee injury on Tuesday night.  Horcoff collided with the Ducks' Corey Perry in a leg-on-leg or knee-on-knee mix-up, which did look accidental and no penalty was assessed, but could not continue for too much longer before leaving the ice on his own power, favouring his leg greatly.  After the game, the coaching staff had assessed the injury as a possible MCL problem, which could keep the star centre off the ice for upwards of eight weeks.

For the most part, it has been just an okay season for Horcoff, but at the same time should be considered somewhat disappointing, given the players he has been centering over the past few weeks.  In 24 games this season, Horcoff has only managed to tally 7 goals and 8 assists on one of the top two Oilers lines, normally centering rookie sensation, Taylor Hall.  The scoring numbers may be a good reflection of how the team is doing as a whole, down near the bottom of the West, so despite already having 15 points, it probably could be better.

ImplicationsBetter or not, he'll definitely be missed out of Benson's draft team, especially if Horcoff does, in fact, miss the next eight weeks of the season.  The injury happening in the middle of the first week after the waiver draft is considered to be the worst timing ever, especially since it is another eight and a half weeks until the second waiver draft rolls around.  Benson will now be short one player for the rest of the second segment, likely taking his chances of a jersey prize down by quite a bit.

Benson currently sits in the final money spot in the standings, 4th place, and only has a 4-point lead over Kristy and Don.  This could be a long segment.

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