NHL stars are dropping like pucks

Injuries already are taking their toll in the NHL.

Last week, the Red Wings lost top power forward Johan Franzen for at least four months after he tore his left ACL against the Blackhawks. Franzen suffered the injury before scoring the winner.

"It's going to put pressure on 18 other guys," Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "Everyone's got to be 10 percent better. At the same time it opens up an opportunity for somebody else to step up."

On Sunday, the Canucks said left wing Daniel Sedin would be out four to six weeks after breaking his foot when he was hit by a shot while playing against Montreal last week.

That could be a double loss for the Canucks, depending on how Daniel Sedin's twin, Henrik, reacts to his absence. The two have played on the same line since they started their NHL careers in 2000-01.

"I'm hoping I can be very effective," Henrik Sedin told NHL.com. "I think it's the same thing on any team if you have two good players that play a lot together.

"If one gets injured, the other is affected for sure. Not because we're twins but because Danny is a good player."

The Ducks are listing Canton native James Wisniewski as week-to-week after he sprained his right shoulder Saturday in Philadelphia.

Tuesday night after beating the Red Wings, 6-2, the Sabres revealed that forward Thomas Vanek will miss "weeks" after suffering an upper-body injury.

Vanek, who scored twice against the Wings, was the Sabres' leading goal-scorer last season.

"It's tough, but we have extra players and every team deals with injuries," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff told NHL.com. "Every team is going to miss key players along the way and I think we have enough depth."

In the salary-cap world, teams had better hope they have enough depth because they aren't likely to have any money left to go find a replacement.

Hasek to play in Vancouver?

The Czech Republic might be looking to the past for future Olympic success.

Former Red Wing Dominik Hasek made the list of 60 candidates for the Olympic team.

Hasek, who backstopped the Czechs to gold in 1998, will be 45 when the Olympic hockey tournament starts in February. If he makes the team, it will be his fifth Olympic Games.

Hasek currently is playing for his hometown team, HC Moeller in Pardubice.

Checking in on the rookies

We listed five rookies to watch before the season started, so it's time to check in and see how the early part of the season is going for them.