Dallas Stars Daily Links: Patrick Eaves Hospitalized With Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Anaheim Ducks forward Patrick Eaves has been hospitalized in Newport Beach with a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks healthy cells in the peripheral nervous system.

The disorder is mysterious and potentially extremely serious. The peripheral nervous system controls all conscious motor movement and somatic sensation, up to and including the diaphragm. Guillain-Barré often starts as progressive weakness, often leading to ascending or descending paralysis. The paralysis is generally temporary but can be life-threatening if it affects muscles that allow a person to breathe.

Treatment is supportive to help the patient through the periods of paralysis. Around 15 percent of patients need mechanical ventilation at some point, and even with treatment at high-end medical centers, around five percent of patients may not survive (though the mortality rate is much higher in the elderly and less than 1 percent in teenagers).

Eaves was admitted to Hoag Hospital last week and is “resting comfortably and in stable condition” as of Monday, Oct. 23, after being released from intensive care over the weekend. The Ducks shared the details of his diagnosis late yesterday.

Dallas Stars fans know and love “Hat Trick Eaves” from the skill, speed and net-front presence he brought to a top line that already boasted Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. He sets up his office in some of the toughest sections of NHL ice, and his dedication to finishing produced moments like this first-period triple against the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 11, 2016.

Guillain-Barré’s direct cause is still unknown, but it is associated with periods after a viral or bacterial infection, such as influenza or mononucleosis. It injures or destroys the myelin sheath surrounding the axons of peripheral nerves, preventing the affected cells from transmitting signals efficiently. The syndrome has no cure, but symptoms can usually be managed effectively. Recovery time varies by severity of illness and other unpredictable factors, with many patients recovering completely within 6-18 months and a minority reporting lifelong weakness.

(Sticktap to Erin for some of the medical information. For more information, check out this detailed Medscape summary.)

Eric Stephens of The Orange County Register is working this story and should have regular updates. [OC Register]

Stephens also posted this statement from Eaves and Ducks GM Bob Murray.

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More Stars

Mark Stepneski shares his practice notes from Monday as the Stars prepared to head out on their first proper road trip of 2017-18.

Scott Burnside writes that this 11-day jaunt is also prime time for team bonding. [Dallas Stars]

For the first time this season, Scott has included the Stars in the top 10 of his Power Rankings.

Around the league(s)

It was quiet – too quiet – in the Central Division yesterday, but there will be plenty of #MDK action tonight (and that’s on top of the Stars-Avs divisional clash):

• Nashville Predators vs. Calgary Flames, 7 p.m. Central
• Minnesota Wild vs. Vancouver Canucks, 7 p.m. Central
• Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vegas Golden Knights, 9 p.m. Central

Colorado forwards Tyson Jost and J.T. Compher will be out of the lineup tonight, and for the next few weeks, after sustaining “significant” injuries in last Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. [Denver Post]

Another player the Stars won’t see tonight: blueliner Patrik Nemeth, who practiced but left early yesterday, possibly in deference to a shoulder injury he suffered last week during the last Stars-Avs game.

And it looks as if the Stars will miss an on-ice reunion with Jaromir Jagr this week; the Flames have him on injured reserve with a lower-body injury sustained during Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Wild.

The Pittsburgh Penguins waived Antti Niemi yesterday. Now they have to decide on a backup plan.

After years of chronic suffering, Minnesota forward Zach Parise is contemplating a back surgery that will put him out for up to two months. [Sportsnet]

The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Hockey Canada 5-2 in a Sunday tune-up game for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Idaho Steelheads action

A great story from Boise and the Stars’ ECHL affiliate: Idaho Steelheads RW Reid Halabi has started a GoFundMe page to provide hockey equipment for kids living in difficult financial circumstances.

And I think some of you are now thinking about flying to Idaho just to take advantage of this “Hockey Starter Pack,” by which I mean I am, personally.

Finally

Jokerit and SKA will play the KHL’s first regular-season outdoor game on Saturday, Dec. 2 in Helsinki. The Finnish squad is promoting it via this stroke of genius: a bus-stop wrap that gives commuters the chance to sit on the team’s bench and take direction from head coach Jukka Jalonen. Enjoy. (Helsinki readers, please send your selfies.) [BarDown]