http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hockey/canadiensstory.html?id=acdc7168-2013-4940-b4a3-cc1497a165ef

But Bonk's out. Captain K could play as soon as Saturday


The Canadiens are learning to take the bad news with the good.

The good news yesterday was that first-line forwards Alex Kovalev and Saku Koivu took strides toward returning to the lineup.

The bad news is that Radek Bonk is out indefinitely with a torn groin muscle. He has had a series of problems in that area.

"The latest tests on Radek showed that he has a little tear in the muscle," coach Claude Julien reported after the Canadiens worked out in Verdun yesterday.

"He's been told to rest for a week and then his condition will be re-evaluated."

Bonk was a much-heralded addition to the Canadiens' roster when he was acquired from Los Angeles during the 2004 National Hockey League entry draft. While Bonk has added some much-needed size up front, he hasn't lived up to the promise of a shut-down centre who could also provide some offence.

He is yet to score a goal in 19 games. He does have six assists, but is minus-3. Those aren't good numbers for a player who's earning $2.349 million U.S.

The question is how much Bonk has been affected by his injuries. He has missed eight games this season, and, while all of his absences have been attributed to groin injuries, Julien said this one was different from the previous problems.

"He's actually had three different groin injuries," Julien noted. He went on to deny that the injuries were the result of poor conditioning, noting that Bonk scored high on the fitness tests at the start of training camp.

Koivu and Kovalev provided some good news when they skated with a small group after the regular practice.

Koivu, who has been bothered by a groin injury, might be in the lineup Saturday night when the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim visit the Bell Centre.

Kovalev's return is a ways off, but he skated for the first time since he underwent knee surgery on Nov. 15 and is on schedule for a Christmas return to the lineup.

"I felt good today, but I was skating on my own and it's not the same as being in a game situation, where you're pushing off or getting hit," Koivu said.

"I don't know if I'll be ready for Saturday. I'll have a better idea when I see how I feel tomorrow."

Groin injuries have become a major problem in the NHL this season - defenceman Sheldon Souray and goaltender Jose Theodore are also nursing tender groins, but did practise yesterday - and Koivu said he had no idea why the injuries are occuring.

"I know that (team physician David Mulder) has been talking to other doctors around the league trying to find the answer," Koivu said. "It seems there's always something. I remember one season there were a lot of abdominal problems, then it was backs and after that, everyone was concerned about concussions.

"I was having a problem with the groin on the left side and now this is something different on the right side," Koivu added. "It's a pull and I don't think it's that serious, but you don't want to take any chances."

Kovalev joined Koivu and some other players for the

40-minute skating session.

"I didn't try any moves,"

Kovalev said. "It was just straight skating, getting used to being back on the ice. The knee felt good, but I was tired."

Kovalev said he would skate on his own for another week and continue to strengthen the knee with off-ice weight training and physiotherapy.

The Canadiens are on the road next weekend for games in Edmonton and Minneapolis, and Monday, Dec. 19, would appear to be the target for Kovalev to resume full practices.

phickey@thegazette.canwest.com

© The Gazette (Montreal) 2005