Morning Hits: Datsyuk, Flyers, Blackhawks and Methot
  • Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press: Pavel Datsyuk is back skating with the Red Wings in a no-contact jersey as he recovers from a separated shoulder. They put him on the IR dating back to September 22nd. Datsyuk can return anytime and isn’t ruling out the possibility of being ready for their season opener on October 9th.

    “We’ll see, ” he said. “One week to go, and a lot can happen.

    “It’s nice to play in the opener in front of the home stand, but it’s the hockey life. It doesn’t frustrate me; I know it’s a long season. I have to be focused to play too many games in a whole year.”

  • Frank Seravalli: Flyers GM Ron Hextall said that by putting Jay Rosehill on waivers, they won’t have to put Kimmo Timonen on the LTIR to start the season. Hextall says they’ll have $2 to $2.5 million in cap space. Sam Carchidi: If the Flyers decide they need to add an enforcer, they can recall Rosehill and put Timonen on LTIR.
  • Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago: Blackhawks Johnny Oduya is out with a lower-body injury, but could return on Sunday. Michal Rozsival will miss at least a week with a lower-body injury. Brandon Mashinter suffered an undisclosed injury on Wednesday.
  • Ian Mendes: Senators Marc Methot won’t start skating until he feels better:  “Right now it’s been frustrating for him and the medical staff.”