Wendel Clark got better news than he expected on Thursday: He could be back in the Toronto Maple Leafs` lineup as early as next week.
Clark strained a ligament in his left knee during Wednesday night`s 4-3 win over Minnesota. It`s the same knee and the same ligament he partly tore five weeks ago against St. Louis.
But this time the damage was minimal and he isn`t likely to miss more than three or four games.
”We`re hoping I`m only out for a short time,” said Clark, who has eight goals and 13 points in six games this season. ”It feels better than I thought it would. The doctor looked at it and didn`t think any X-rays were necessary.”
Toronto coach Tom Watt felt a lot better after Clark`s hospital visit, too. His team is 4-2-0 with Clark in the lineup, 1-8-1 when he`s not.
”He`ll miss the weekend games,” Watt said. ”After that, he`ll be evaluated on a day-to-day basis. It`s not serious, but I`d like to have him for every game.”
Watt said he wouldn`t suggest to Clark that he should take it easy when he returns.
”Wendel Clark is a reckless player,” Watt said. ”He doesn`t play careful and (injuries) happen. If you ask Wendel Clark to be careful, then you haven`t got Wendel Clark.”
Glenn Anderson, who has one goal and four assists this season, will take Clark`s spot on the left side with Peter Zezel and Gary Leeman in New York Friday.
