Injury Update: Francois Beauchemin To IR, Fasth Misses Start

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

At some point this season, you have to wonder if the Anaheim Ducks will ever be fully 100% healthy. Being handed another huge blow to their team today, as Ducks top defenseman Francois Beauchemin has been placed on Injured Reserve before their Friday contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Beauchemin will be able to rejoin his teammates on Wednesday, meaning he will miss at least the next three games.

The Ducks have already called up Sami Vatanen to add depth on the blue line in Beauchemin’s absence.

Losing your top defenseman is always a huge blow, especially with how steady and reliable Beauchemin has been, but fans and the organization will now get to see a glimpse of the future as young defenders Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm are likely to get more ice time. Lindholm has been one of the early surprises this season – not so much that the fact that he is a good player, we knew that was going to happen – but how advanced his play at this stage in his development.

Viktor Fasth Scratched From Start

Ducks’ goaltender Viktor Fasth is still working his way back into the lineup after missing time with an injury – but he suffered a setback and was forced to sit out Friday’s game against the Lightning.

The injury is being called a lower body injury and it occurred in pre-game warmups. His status for Saturday’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes is unknown.

Anthony Murphy is the Editor at Pucks of a Feather. You can reach him by email anthony.murphy@thefarmclub.net or follow him on Twitter @AMurphyTFC.