Torres' knee injury kept him out of all but 12 regular season and playoff games last year. In August, general manager Doug Wilson said a second surgery would be needed because of an infection that required the removal of the first ACL replacement. Now, however, everyone involved has decided that Torres will take a different approach in returning to the ice.The team did not set a timetable for Torres's return, though Wilson indicated that it should be less than if the veteran forward had undergone a second operation.

Torres will likely rest with former Maple Leaf Mike Brown getting in the lineup. Torres has three goals and two assists with a plus-4 rating in five games coming off of a torn ACL which cost him four months. Monitor his status in the pre-game warmups.

General Manager Doug Wilson would not offer an estimate as to how many games Torres would miss but recovery from the procedure he underwent usually takes from three to five months. That could push Torres's return until after the NHL's break for the 2014 Winter Olympics in mid-February.

The vacancy in the lineup left by Torres is a significant one, as the six-foot, 215-pound wing appeared set to play on Logan Couture's line with Patrick Marleau, or Joe Pavelski's line with Tommy Wingels. His injury makes it all the more likely rookie Tomas Hertl will start the season on the NHL roster, and could open the door for the club to sign Anthony Stewart, who is in camp on a tryout.

Raffi Torres showed the San Jose Sharks during his short stint both the attributes that make him a valuable player and the negatives of his suspension-filled history that sidelined him for the final six games of the playoffs. General manager Doug Wilson decided that the rewards outweighed the risks, signing Torres to a $6-million US, three-year deal Thursday that prevents him becoming an unrestricted free agent July 5.

Torres hit Kings forward Jarret Stoll last night and injured Stoll on the play. The hit did not look too bad but Torres has a history of suspensions, I think we all remember his 25-game suspension last season for his hit on Marian Hossa.

Torres will make his Sharks debut tonight. He is not fantasy relevant.

Torres had 12 points in 27 games in Phoenix, he is not the best fantasy option.

Torres is an edgy player with 56 games of playoff experience. He is a useful physical player but he is not fantasy relevant.

Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr have scheduled to meet later this week! Nothing much else to say. Happy Thanksgiving Canada! Happy Columbus Day America! It's the day of the Phoenix as Coyotes LW Raffi Torres and D David Rundblad are celebrating their birthdays today. Happy Birthday from PrimePucks™! Please enjoy this highlight video courtesy of foxsportsarizona of the Phoenix Coyotes 2011-2012 season.