GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan has been cleared to return after a bout with Rocky Mountain Fever and could play as early as Saturday night.
Doan has been out since Dec. 4 after feeling flu-like symptoms from an illness doctors initially had trouble diagnosing. He slowly started to improve by taking antibiotics and doctors determined he had Rocky Mountain Fever, a bacterial disease that affects the lining of blood cells and is often contracted by ticks.
Doan missed 12 games after getting off to one of the best starts of his career, scoring 12 goals and adding 11 assists in 27 games.
The Coyotes had targeted next week for Doan's return, but he could play Saturday night against Philadelphia.
Leafs: Lupul fined for Winter Classic hit
TORONTO -- Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul has been fined $10,000 for his hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Eaves in the Winter Classic.
The NHL announced the fine Friday but did not suspend Lupul.
Lupul was assessed a cross-checking minor in the first period after the hit on Eaves, who didn't return to the game. Toronto won 3-2 in a shootout Wednesday at Michigan Stadium.
NHL
Sabres: Konopka claimed off waivers
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have claimed enforcer Zenon Konopka off waivers from the Minnesota Wild.
This is the seventh team for the 33-year-old forward, who also played for Anaheim, Columbus, Tampa Bay, Ottawa and the New York Islanders. He signed with Minnesota in July 2012.
Konopka was put on waivers on Thursday after playing in 36 games and claimed Friday. He has a goal and an assist and 55 penalty minutes. He has 29 points in 323 career NHL games.
He is from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, less than 40 miles from Buffalo.