National Hockey League roundup

[November 17, 2014]  Nov 16 (The Sports Xchange) - NHL Hall of Famer Gordie Howe recently had a minor stroke and has experienced back pain, which has caused his health to worsen, according to MLive.com.

The stroke and back pain has caused his blood pressure to fluctuate into dangerous territory.

"The last 10 days have been difficult," said Mark Howe, Gordie's son. "His health is trending in the opposite direction. Right now it's a lot for Dad to handle."

Howe, 86, known as Mr. Hockey, has been bed-ridden since the stroke a week ago.

Mark Howe said the family hopes an epidural in Gordie's lower spine will take away some of the pain, which is making his dementia significantly worse.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets assigned center Dana Tyrell to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL, the team announced.

Tyrell, 25, made his Blue Jackets debut Nov. 8 against the Tampa Bay Lightning and has averaged 6:56 of ice time in three games.

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The Edmonton Oilers activated forward Taylor Hall from the injured reserve list, the team announced.

Hall has been out with a medial collateral ligament injury.

The Oilers assigned defenseman Oscar Klefbom and winger Iiro Pakarinen to the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL.

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The Minnesota Wild placed defenseman Jonas Brodin on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 11. He missed his third game due to illness.

The Wild activated center Zach Parise. Wild defenseman Marco Scandella also returned after being sick for two games.

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Right wing Alexander Semin, a $7 million a year player without a goal in 13 games to start the season, was out of the Carolina Hurricanes lineup Sunday for a second straight game.

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Chicago Blackhawks center Joakim Nordstrom made his season debut Sunday after being recalled from the AHL's Rockford IceHogs on Saturday.

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The Montreal Canadiens were without left wing Michael Bournival Sunday because of a shoulder injury. (Editing by Gene Cherry)

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