The NHL officiating staff has certainly met its medical deductible so far this season.  A number of veterans have been sidelined with injuries, while others are recovering from surgery.

The latest on the officials’ injuries:

 

Referee Francis Charron

Charron last worked in the NHL on October 15, officiating a game between the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals.  While there’s no word on his injury, Charron appeared to be testing his right foot late in the third period, possibly indicating an injury to his leg or foot. He left the game with 9:54 to play, leaving referee Dan O’Rourke to finish the game as the lone referee with linesmen Steve Barton and Bryan Pancich.

He worked one AHL game in Hershey, presumably on a rehabilitation stint, but hasn’t seen the ice since.  While there’s no confirmation from the league, it appears Charron may have re-injured his knee.

Charron appears to be close to returning.

Referee Dave Jackson

Jackson’s last appearance was refereeing a game between the Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers on October 15. Jackson completed the game without incident. There are no details available regarding his absence.

The Star Tribune’s Michael Russo reports that Jackson will return to the ice soon.

Referee Chris Rooney

Rooney was injured while in camp for the World Cup of Hockey. The veteran referee tore his Achilles tendon during fitness testing.

“It was during a shuttle run and it just popped,’’ Rooney told the Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont. “I was doing the test for, oh, maybe 10-12 minutes . . . and, pop, it tore right off. Until then, no pain or anything. Had I felt something, obviously I would have stopped. But all of a sudden, it just went.’’

Rooney was expected to miss 4-6 months, setting him up for a possible return early in the new year, if all goes well.

John Buccigross reports that Rooney will pick up a few conditioning games in the AHL in January prior to his return to the National Hockey League.

 

Linesman Derek Nansen

Nansen suffered a torn ACL in training camp. While he has no tentative return date, recovery for such an injury normally takes six months. He’s expected to be out for the season.

 

Linesman Jay Sharrers

Sharrers finished the 2015-16 season working a playoff game between Nashville and San Jose. He’s expected to miss the entire season with a hip injury.

 Linesman Don Henderson

Henderson remains sidelined with the effects of Dennis Wideman’s hit from behind.  He reportedly underwent offseason neck surgery to correct issues with two ruptured discs.  There’s been no mention of a potential return to the ice.