Madden might sit out; Tallackson might play

Just when it appeared the Devils were starting to get over the injury bug, there is a chance that center John Madden won't play in tonight's game against the Islanders because of an apparent foot injury.

Right wing Barry Tallackson will take part in pre-game warm-ups for tonight's game against the Islanders and might play in his first game since he had surgery on Sept. 26 to correct an irregular heartbeat.

The decision Tallackson will be based on the health of Madden, who took a shot off his left foot in the second period of Thursday night's win over Florida. Madden finished the game, but apparently was sore this morning. Devils coach Brent Sutter gave Tallackson the word during the optional morning skate that he might play tonight

"We'll see," Tallackson said. "Madden is a little dinged up. I'll take warm-ups and see how I feel and have the decision made."

Tallackson, 25, played five games in Lowell on a conditioning assignment and did not register a point, but tonight's game would be his first in the NHL since his surgery. He has played in 16 previous NHL games and registered one goal and one assist.

"It's a little different," he admitted. "I've been here before. I know what to expect, but, at the same time, it's my first game in the NHL since last year. So, it's going to be exciting and I'm pretty pumped up about it."

If Madden does not play, it's unclear who would play center tonight. Tallackson is a right wing and it looks like center Petr Vrana will be a healthy scratch again, but that's not certain.

I did not learn of the possibility of Madden being out tonight until after talking to Brent Sutter, so I have no idea what his plans are for tonight other than that he said that defenseman Sheldon Brookbank will play right wing again tonight. I'll try to find out more before tonight's game.

***

Sutter said forward Brian Rolston (high right ankle sprain) skated again this morning on his own. There is no word on when he'll be ready to practice with the team, but it appears he won't be joining the team for its road trip next week, which begins Sunday in Tampa Bay.

Defenseman Andy Greene (broken right hand) has also been skating on his own, but is not permitted to shoot or handle the puck, yet. Greene hopes to get the go-ahead to do that after he sees the doctor on Tuesday.

Sutter said Greene still appears a while away from playing. 

"I'm not expecting him back here (soon)," Sutter said. "He's not a day-to-day guy, yet. You're talking about weeks not days. If it happens sooner, great."  

Comments

[JJ]

Wonderful.

[Pando20Rules]

would be bad news with no Madden in the lineup..... I imagine the checking line would disappear all together? If so, who plays with Pando and Clarkson? Maybe try Zubrus there?

Very interesting that tallackson would get the nod over Vrana, who is a center, for the potentially injured center Madden.

[bobo]

"little dinged up" = compound fracture....
Lets hope MadDog is ok

[DS]

Madden can't play and he goes to a player that recently had heart surgery?! And scratching a natural center in Petr Vrana?! I knew Sutter sucked and I that I hated him...but now it's just getting ridiculous.

[devilsfan]

Vrana who?

[Eric]

One of the reasons that Sutter hasn't been playing Vrana is that he has said that Petr is defensively responsible yet. So now you want him to play in the most prominent defensive role on the team? Hmm, yeah great idea.

[Eric]

oops.

Petr ISN'T (not is) defensively responsible yet.

[JJ]

If it weren't for the clearing waivers thing I doubt Vrana or Tallackson would even be on the NHL roster.

[JJ]

It's just a shame that they aren't getting game experience somewhere. Bergfors has been improving despite limited ice and playing with two guys with rocks for hands.

[Pearl Jammed(RJ Arditti)]

i agree with Eric. Petr Vrana is not ready yet to Center our shutdown line. He just plain doesn't have the Defensive chops to do it yet. And with the Islanders being as hot as they are, compound that with our horrible record against divisional foes and you have a sure recipe for disaster

[JP]

Whoa Nelly, there is some overreacting going on here.

DS - This has been mentioned before but Tallackson had a procedure involving an extra pathway in his heart. It was not open heart surgery if that is what you were thinking. His heart is probably healthier now than it was before the procedure because it's not taking on the stress that a rapid heart beat causes. I believe he played in some games during his conditioning stint with Lowell. At least I think that is what he said in TG's blog from Tuesday.

[Justin]

they should put vrana on the parise line and move zajac to the checking line

[McDevils]

I agree that Vrana has to become more responsible in his own end, and I'd rather he learned in practice than during a game. So, Elias back at center for a game, Zubrus as center on checking line, move Bergfors up to 2nd or 1st line and Tallackson as wing on 4th line?

How else could it be done?

[TG]

I think McDevils is probably right -- if Madden doesn't play.

[JJ]

Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner
Elias-Zubrus-Gionta
Pandolfo-Rupp-Clarkson
Bergfors-Vrana-Tallackson

Limit the time of the 4th line and only match them against weak offensive lines and double shift anyone who is having a good game in there if the game is close (which it always is vs. Islanders) or if they are struggling.

[maddening11]

unless maddog is really injured i doubt he would miss a divisonal game (or a game at all for that matter...this is the same guy who got his face sliced with a skate and came back the next period with a visor and face full of stitches)
i'd hate to break up the elias,Z, gio line that has been playing so well, but maybe move zubrus to the checking line and give bergfors a shot on that line for the night? or move langs to the checking line and throw somebody on the wing with parise and zajac.

[pando20rules]

I was going to post the same lines JJ and point out that I mentioned moving Zubrus at the top of the comments :)

However, I ralized Sutter is set on playing Brookbank, so that wouldn't work.... (even though I agree it's the best option)

[frankied]

If sutter can't even trust Vrana to play wing on the 4th line, I don't see how he can plug Vrana in at center.

So with that said.. yeah it looks like Elias would play center. Since Parise hasn't scored in a while (by his standards), you might even see him play with Elias. I suspect that Zajac would be put into the checking center role, because he is good at faceoffs and plays on the PK sometimes.

[MoonDragn]

I don't believe Sutter would bother with a checking line. I think he'll just roll our two top lines tonight and give the other 2 lines limited ice time.

[qsurf99]

didn't pelley play last year in madden's place when he was hurt?

what's the likelihood that we see him get called up this week?

[JJ]

Yes he did qsurf99 but I'm pretty sure the Devils roster is maxed right now. To call up Pelley you'd have to send Vrana or Tallackson to Lowell and both would have to pass through waivers because they are both on one-way contracts.

[Jeff]

I don't think we will see Pelley unless Madden is going to be out for a while and also depending on just how far Rollie and Holik are away from returning. Holik can play the shut down role when he comes back if need be.

[pando20rules]

the Devils roster defnitely is not maxed right now. They sent down PL3 yesterday, and the roster only has 21 guys (1 healthy scratch and others are all on IR).

[Murph]

he would rather vrana play center..it doesnt matter what line hes on sutter doesnt want him to play the wing

[Shari]

Just F ing great, I know that alot of People want Dog traded/gone but he is so important to the Team, not having him in the lineup makes me nervous.