Derick Brassard the Latest Victim to Injury in the NHL

As much as we hate it, injuries are a part of every sport. Players seem to be dropping like flies this year in the National Hockey League.

Martin Brodeur's freaky elbow injury seems to sum it all up. A future Hall of Famer who has been so impervious to getting hurt finds himself out until at least February.

Then you have Brenden Morrow who's finished for the season with a knee surgery required, and Patrice Bergeron suffering a concussion after 31 games.

Bergeron's timetable isn't known, but it's tough to see him go down after fighting back from the previous one in 2007/2008. Teemu Selanne and Joe Sakic are just aging so it's natural to not have the proper functioning like the rookie days.

Sakic's snow blower incident only hurt his chances of a nearby recovery.

The Washington Capital have nine players on the shelf themselves. What is going on this year? Perhaps a new beginning in 2009 is what we need.

Derick Brassard, who possibly could have won the Calder Trophy this season, will spend the remainder watching the Columbus Blue Jackets off the ice.

The Quebec native separated his shoulder in a fight with James Neal of the Dallas Stars last Thursday. Surgery on the shoulder will follow and it's a tough ending for the promising youngster.

It's good to know he will fight for his team, but he clearly shouldn't. A natural goal scorer who the Blue Jackets desperately need production from is now probably having second thoughts on whether it was the right choice.

After 10 goals, 15 assists, and a great plus-12 rating, we can only wonder what could have been for the 21-year-old's remainder in the schedule.

Brassard saw just over four minutes of ice time before his exit in Dallas, and fired in a goal. Perhaps it was a farewell to his fans and supporters for the time being.

We'll miss you this season, and hopefully you're return is a triumphant one in 2009/2010.