Matt Hackett suffered an ACL injury on April 12 and could start skating soon, reports The Buffalo News.

Hackett suffered an ACL injury on April 12 and could start skating soon, reports The Buffalo News.

Analysis:

There is still no return date for Hackett though he is expected to return midway through the season, perhaps in late December or early January. Hackett is coming off a tough season, losing the starting job in the AHL to Nathan Lieuwen. He is in a contract year and faces an uphill climb on a team deep with goaltending prospects. The 24-year-old goalie may not figure into the team's long-term plans. Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth are battling for the NHL job while Andrey Makarov and Lieuwen will handle the duties in the AHL.