NHL Playoff Predictions 2011: 10 Returning Players Who Could Hurt More Than Help

Sidney Crosby has probably been at the forefront of most people's minds in terms of a player potentially returning to his team in the playoffs. That won't happen for at least the first round for the Penguins though.

That is a smart move for the Penguins because a team can't hurry a player back too quickly from injury because they probably won't help as much as desired so there's really no point.

The Montreal Canadiens have also announced that Max Pacioretty will not play against the Bruins, another smart move considering his health, as well as maintaining the teams' focus on winning, rather than revenge.

However, there are some players who will or could be returning to their respective teams for the playoffs. Some of them maybe shouldn't be coming back, because of either injuries that may not be entirely healed or the risk of disrupting the team's chemistry.

Here are the top ten players who may hurt their team more than help upon their return.

10. Chris Pronger

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 08: Chris Pronger #6 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates during an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 8, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Chris Pronger is expected to return to the Philadelphia Flyers' lineup for the playoffs.

It's very likely that Pronger's presence will strengthen the almost-in-a-rut Flyers since he is irreplaceable.

However, there is a chance that it could hurt too. Pronger has nursed various injuries throughout this year. If he doesn't heal completely, there is the chance that he could irritate the injury all over again.

While Pronger may be required to move on to further rounds, bringing him back could also risk him being active for future rounds and obviously Pronger will be necessary the farther into the playoffs the team goes.

9. Dave Bolland

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 04: Dave Bolland #36 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at the United Center on March 4, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Hurricanes 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

His inclusion on this list is mostly from a future, worst-case-scenario standpoint.

Dave Bolland was a huge part of the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup win last season and that Bolland would be a huge boost to have back for the playoffs versus the Vancouver Canucks.

However, as Bolland is recovering from a concussion, it can be impossible to tell how a player will be when he returns.

If he returns too quickly, he could be risking future symptoms and concussions. It's something that I'm sure the Blackhawks are considering before they decide to activate him for the playoffs.

8. Justin Williams

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 05: Jannik Hansen #36 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates his goal in front of Justin Williams #14 of the Los Angeles Kings for a 1-1 tie during the first period at the Staples Center on March 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

The Los Angeles Kings will have a very difficult time beating the San Jose Sharks. They'll for sure be without Anze Kopitar and Justin William's status is still up in the air as well.

It is starting to look like Williams will be back for the first round though.

Williams dislocated his shoulder on March 21. For normal people, dislocated shoulders can take a long time to heal, usually between one and three months. Hockey players, as we all know, are a different breed of human beings.

Williams has already returned to full practices in the hopes of returning for the playoffs.

Hopefully, Williams will return because he is ready, not because of the urgency for a scoring boost. If it is the latter, Williams could not be as useful as he normally would be, healthy.

7. Dan Hamhuis

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 25: Dan Hamhuis #2 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Philips Arena on March 25, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Vancouver Canucks' defenseman Dan Hamhuis is still recovering from his second concussion of the season.

Hamhuis has been skating again though and his status for the playoffs is still unknown.

Since we've seen how devastating concussions can be, particularly once one has suffered one or two already in their career, Hamhuis' return could be questionable.

Of course, he'll want to play, but his health needs to be the top priority. If God forbid, Hamhuis were to return and suffer a third concussion in the same year, his future could be at risk.

And that knowledge would be mentally devastating to the team.

6. Steve Sullivan and Cal O'Reilly

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MONTREAL - NOVEMBER 18: Cal O'Reilly #16 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his third period goal with team mate Steve Sullivan #26 during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on November 18, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Bryan Mullen of The Tennessean reported on this debate a week ago.

Nashville Predators' forward Steve Sullivan has been nursing a groin injury since late February and forward Cal O'Reilly has been recovering from a broken fibula since the beginning of the year.

There is the possibility that both could return soon, in time for the playoffs.

However, since the Predators have been on a roll, the question is whether bringing the forwards back into the mix after such a long absence would be more helpful or hurtful to the team.

Luckily, Nashville head coach Barry Trotz is wary of that and will only use the forwards if they are 100 percent up to par, as well as if they are absolutely necessary.

5. Derek Roy

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SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 17: Derek Roy #9 of the Buffalo Sabres skates through center ice against the Florida Panthers on December 17, 2010 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Sabres 6-2. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty I

The obvious reaction to Derek Roy returning to the Buffalo Sabres' lineup would be elation.

After all, that would signify healing, as well as hopefully scoring, since he was the team scoring leader before suffering a torn quadriceps tendon on December 23.

However, it is difficult to gauge how a player will return from injury simply from practices. It's even tougher when considering that playoff games are even faster-paced than regular season games.

While there would be definite benefits of having Roy back in the lineup, there could be risks associated with it as well.

It looks like the Sabres will have to make it into the second round though, before Roy could be eligible to make a comeback.

4. Mike Green

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 06: Mike Green #52 of the Washington Capitals warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Verizon Center on February 6, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals have yet to formally announce that Mike Green will return for Game one of the series versus the New York Rangers.

However, Green has indicated that he fully intends to be playing.

As I've mentioned earlier, we have seen how devastating concussions have been, so one can never be too overly-cautious about returning from a concussion injury.

For the Capitals, Green is a huge part of both the offense and defense. They intend to keep him that way for years to come and that's why his health needs to be top priority now.

They are also relying on Green to be forthcoming about symptoms. While I think he'll be smart about his health, he also seems desperate to return, understandably.

3. Tom Poti

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 08: Tom Poti #3 of the Washington Capitals against the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena on October 8, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Tom Poti has been one of the Capitals' top blueliners for years now and many Capitals fans are anxious to see him return.

However, the team is reluctant to bring him back since he has been nursing a groin injury for so long (since mid-January).

It seems like the Capitals will use Poti if absolutely necessary, but try to keep him out otherwise. If the Caps move farther into the playoffs though, it may be more tempting to activate Poti.

That may not be good for both Poti and the team since he hasn't played in so long.

2. Jonas Hiller

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NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 24: Jerred Smithson #25 and Nick Spaling #13 of the Nashville Predators celebrate after scoring a goal against Jonas Hiller #1 of the Anaheim Ducks on March 24, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frede

Jonas Hiller is the Anaheim Ducks number one goaltender so it seems unlikely that he won't see action in the playoffs.

However, perhaps the Ducks should consider keeping him sidelined. After all, Hiller has been suffering from vertigo for awhile now. That's something that can be hard to measure recovery from, considering the nature of the illness.

Plus, the Ducks really don't want Hiller to suffer symptoms like fainting spells during a game, like Ondrej Pavelec of the Atlanta Thrashers at the beginning of the season.

1. Ryan Miller

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 20: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save against the Nashville Predators at HSBC Arena on March 20, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Ryan Miller has announced that he is "okay" to start game one versus the Philadelphia Flyers.

He hasn't played since the end of March, when he suffered a lower body injury.

"Okay" wouldn't instill a lot of confidence for me in Miller heading into the playoffs. It seems like Miller in net is the Sabres' best chance at playoff success, but you never know.

Teams have gone far in the playoffs before with unexpected goaltenders in net. Jhonas Enroth was able to step up in Miller's absence to help secure the Sabres' spot in the playoffs.

Who's to say he wouldn't be successful in the playoffs as well?

It may be a better option than merely an "okay" Ryan Miller.