Archive for category NHL Free Agents
Not so fast on Smyth to Rangers … Kubina, Malone and Moore linked to teams … Kings interested in Kulemin and MacArthur … ‘Hawks to wait
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 4th, 2012
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: A source is saying that Ryan Smyth would consider waiving his no-trade clause to be dealt to the Rangers. Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun: Ryan Smyth said he hasn’t heard from the Rangers and may not be that interested in a short stay there.
“I haven’t even really thought about it to be honest,” he continued. “They would have to approach me first and nobody’s approached me. It’s not something that I’ve thought much about.”
“I’ve moved four times in the last five years,” he said. “I wanted to come back here for a reason?”
Ales Hemsky hasn’t talked contract with the Oilers, and wouldn’t mind staying, depending on the money.
“Of course I would like to stay, but it depends on the terms. I like the guys here, I like the city, the fans are great and I have lots of friends here. I’ve always been happy here so I’d like to stay.”
- Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: The next 5 games will likely determine if the Lightning will be a buyer or seller. Yzerman said many teams are in a feeling out pattern. Pavel Kubina has been linked to the Rangers and Flames. Ryan Malone has been mentioned with the Kings. The Penguins and Senators may have interest in Dominic Moore. Adam Hall and Marc-Andre Bergeron may be ready to return during this homestand.
- John MacKinnon of Edmonton Journal: The Oilers have Ryan Smyth, Ales Hemsky and Andy Sutton as UFAs at seasons end. Sam Gagner could get some interest, but the Oilers may realize that he’s better suited in a 2nd line role.
- Todd Cordell via twitter: Cordell made note that Darren Dreger said on TSN1050 radio that the Kings are interested in Maple Leafs Nikolai Kulemin and Clarke MacArthur.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: (mailbag) Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman will wait and see how the Brendan Morrison trade works out before making a move for another center, maybe Sam Gagner. Islanders Steve Staios and Mark Eaton could get some trade interest. The Islanders would rather sign P.A. Parenteau than trade him.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Panthers defenseman Jason Garrison will be a UFA after the season, and signs are pointing to him hitting the open market. It’s possible the Panthers could move him, rather than lose him for nothing. Sources are saying he could be looking for something in the $4.5 million range.
- Scott Burnside of ESPN: With Jimmy Howard’s hand injury, Burnside notes a Evgeni Nabokov deal makes sense.
- Ben Meyer-Abbott of the Chicago Sun-Times: The Blackhawks have dropped 5 straight, and GM Stan Bowman said there is no help coming. “I like our personnel. We’re trying to upgrade. It’s not like we’ve got guys playing that can’t play in the NHL. We certainly have guys that can improve on their level of play. But at the same time, we’re just trying to enhance our group as opposed to completely remake it.”
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Kyle Brodziak hasn’t had contract talks with the Wild yet. “As long as things make sense, why wouldn’t we want to sign Kyle Brodziak?” Fletcher said. “He’s been a good player for us, he fits in well, I think he’s enjoyed playing in Minnesota, and he’s had success here. We enjoy having him here, so hopefully we can make it work.”
Flyers targets … Doan staying unless asks for trade … Zidlicky unhappy … No talks yet for Grabovski and Gustavsson … Suter talks ongoing
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 1st, 2012
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Flyers may have an interest in Canadiens defenseman Hal Gill, with Stars Nicklas Grossman another possibility. The Stars have begun contract extension talks with Grossman, so he may not be available. The Flyers did talk to the Maple Leafs a couple weeks ago about Luke Schenn. The Lightning have held contract extension talks with Dominic Moore’s camp. If they decide to trade him, the Penguins could be interested. The Coyotes won’t be trading captain Shane Doan.
“Shane is the soul of this franchise, as long we we’re here and he wants to stay here then he’ll be here,” Maloney told ESPN.com. “I have no question whatsoever that if we get an ownership group in place, then we’ll get a deal done with Shane. He’s not going anywhere, unless of course he came to us and asked us otherwise. He’s still a very good player and we want him here for a few more years.”
If the Coyotes are sellers, Ray Whitney could become available. If they are not sellers, they still have a bit of room in their budget to add a player or 2.
It’s too earlier to tell is the Stars will be buyers or sellers.
“I think it’s a little early yet,” Nieuwendyk said. “I think all these teams will have a better idea in a few weeks depending on how things shake out. There’s a lot of tire-kicking going on, but we’ll have to see how things work out.”
5 names that LeBrun thinks the Canadiens should consider for their next GM if they replace Gauthier are: Vincent Damphousse, Tampa assistant GM Julien Brisebois, Chicago assistant GM Marc Bergevin, TV analyst Pierre McGuire and former Flames GM/current TV analyst Craig Button.
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Wild defenseman Marek Zidlicky isn’t a happy camper. He’s been scratched for 3 consecutive games. Zidlicky indicated he’d be willing to waive his no-trade clause. When asked if he’s asked to be traded:
“That’s, that’s the option, too. That’s only what I’m thinking right now because I still love hockey. That’s my whole life. Every player likes hockey and nobody likes to be healthy scratch three games, four games. It doesn’t help yourself, it doesn’t help your team, it doesn’t help anybody. I’m just thinking it’s pretty tough right now for me. My son, he’s in first grade and he needs both parents here. So it’s very tough. I don’t want to be selfish, go somewhere and I will be happy and leave my son here in the school. So, we will see. I just wanted to say something about this situation because a lot of guys are writing something different about me and I just wanted to tell you my opinion.”
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter on trade rumors: “Not much I can do about that. That’s something I can’t worry about or control.”
- James Mirtle via twitter: The Maple Leafs haven’t begun contract negotiations with either Mikhail Grabovski or Jonas Gustavsson. Damien Cox via twitter: Cox thinks that if the Leafs want to keep Grabovski, they’ll have to make him a $5 million player.
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Contract negotiations between Ryan Suter and the Nashville Predators are ongoing according to David Poile. Poile said he met with Suter’s agent before Tuesday’s game.
“It’s just ongoing, it’s the same situation,” Poile said. “Everything is being said the way you want a player to say it and the way you want a negotiation to go, except for the final commitment. It’s almost like we’re having a good time together, but we haven’t decided to get married yet.”
“Our plan is to sign Ryan and I will continue to do that up until the trading deadline or past the trading deadline,” Poile said. “The only real deadline we have is July 1. We’ll just keep pecking away at it as time permits.”
Poile added there are not a lot of teams that are sellers at this point.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers may turn their attention towards Hurricanes Bryan Allen or the Canadiens Hal Gill.
- TSN Insider Trading Link: Dreger said if the Predators were to trade Ryan Suter it would take a roster player, A level prospect, B level prospect, and a 1st round pick.
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Sabres winger Thomas Vanek suffered an upper-body injury last night in the 1st period, and didn’t return for the 2nd. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Vanek is out at least a week.
- Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: Panthers forward Kris Versteeg will be a game-time decision due to the flu. Marco Strum is expected to be back in the lineup.
Hurricanes sign defenseman Tim Gleason to 4 year contract extension
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News on January 30th, 2012
Carolina Hurricanes: The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Tim Gleason to a 4 year contract extension worth $16 million.
He’ll receive $3.5 million next year, $4.5 million the following 2 years, and $3.5 million in the last year of the deal.
“We thank Tim for choosing to stay with the Hurricanes long term,” said Rutherford. “He is one of our core players, someone who brings character and leadership to our locker room, along with being a key piece on the ice. This is a very important signing for our team going forward.”
Bob McKenzie via twitter: Gleason has a full no-clause in the 1st 2 years.
Late morning rumors involving: Karlsson, Parise, Moore, Grabovski, MacArthur, Gleason, Mason, Subban, Thomas and Morrow
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 29th, 2012
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators will start serious talks with defenseman Erik Karlsson’s agent next week.
“We do have to talk,” Murray said Saturday. “In the next week or so, we either have to make a phone call or they have to make a phone call to at least initiate some discussion.” Murray said
Don’t expect the Devils to trade Zach Parise. He’s a UFA on July 1st and there haven’t been any talks. The Kings and Wild will be interested in Parise on July 1st. Lightning Dominic Moore is getting interest, and the Sens may make a pitch. The Maple Leafs have been tossing Mikhael Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur’s names in trade talks.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Blackhawks could have interest in Hurricanes Tim Gleason, as would half a dozen other teams. The Blue Jackets are trying to move Steve Mason but are not finding takers with his $3.2 million salary. They may have to put him on re-entry to see if someone would take him at half price. Don’t expect the Canadiens to move P.K. Subban. Tim Thomas’s no trade clause expires July 1st. Thomas would be in the last year of his deal, and will have a $3 million salary with a $5 million cap hit. Matheson thinks that Brenden Morrow could be a good fit with the Sharks, Canucks or Red Wings.
If Canes go with a total rebuild, could Ward be moved? Canucks-Wings may have interest Moen … Sidney skates … Peckham rumors
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 28th, 2012
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch touches on Suter saying he won’t sign a deal before the deadline. The Preds could move his rights at the draft, and the Flyers would definitely be interested. If the Sabres decide to trade Derek Roy, there should be plenty of interest. The Panthers could be looking for a defenseman, and Jaroslav Spacek could be a target. If the Hurricanes decide on a total rebuild, Eric Staal isn’t going anywhere, but some are wondering if Cam Ward will be part of the solution. He has a $6.3 million cap hit through 2014-15 and there would be interest. All of the Islanders pending UFAs are being shopped, including” P.A. Parenteau, Frans Nielsen, Mark Eaton and Steve Staois. The Canadiens would move Andrei Kostitsyn in a heartbeat.
- Darren Dreger of TSN: (mailbag) LeBrun noted that the Canucks would like a guy like Travis Moen. Dreger adds that the Red Wings will/have shown some interest in Moen. The Wings could show interest in Brendan Morrow if he’s available. Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier is willing to move pending UFAs in Hal Gill, Chris Campoli, Travis Moen and Andrei Kostitsyn. They could have interest in Derek Roy.
- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins center Sidney Crosby has started skating in Los Angeles. Crosby is in LA meeting with a neurological spine surgeon. Crosby also skated last week while he was in Atlanta visiting a chiropractor who specializes in neurological treatment. There is still no timetable on his return and GM Rya Shero said he won’t return until he’s symptom free.
- Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal: Willis touches on Garrioch’s mention that Oilers defenseman Theo Peckham is getting some interest. He has a physical edge and he can kill penalties, but he is also on the bottom pairing of a weak team. If the Oilers do have interest in trading him, it may be because Colten Teubert is on his way. The Oilers likely won’t get much in return for him if they do move him.
Suter won’t sign deal before deadline … Crazy Perry to Canucks rumor … Clowe not moving … Johnson – van Riemsdyk rumor … Pending UFA Dman list
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on January 28th, 2012
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Predators defenseman Ryan Suter said he won’t sign a contract extension before the trade deadline.
“I feel it would be more of a distraction than anything,” Suter said of signing now. “We’ve never had a timeline or deadline. We’re just focusing on winning. Everything else will take care of itself.”
“I don’t see it being a benefit by hurrying up and trying to get something done,” Suter confirmed. “I’m a Nashville Predator until July. I will focus on making my team better.”
The Preds do have on of the lowest payrolls, but GM David Poile says that have the go ahead from ownership to change that.
“I think that’s the hardest part, you look at the past and seeing guys go through your team like Forsberg, Timonen, Hartnell — you go down the list, all you see is guys leaving,” Weber said. “You want to believe him [Poile], they’ve got the right things in mind. If they say they’re going to do it [increase payroll], then they should do it and we’ve got to trust them.”
- David Pollak via twitter: A Sharks source says there is “zero chance” that Ryane Clowe is available for trade before the trade deadline.
- Chris Botta via twitter: Botta hasn’t heard of the Corey Perry to Vancouver rumors, and doubts it would be Ducks GM Bob Murray’s to team to trade him to.
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: Enrico Ciccone on a TV said that Patrice Brisebois claims a trade is being considered between the Ducks and Canucks. The Ducks would trade Corey Perry for Cory Schneider, Mason Raymond and Keith Ballard.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Jeff Carter’s name has been connected to the Kings, but Bernstein wouldn’t bring him in.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bernstein doesn’t believe there is anything to the Jack Johnson for James van Riemsdyk rumor, but the Flyers are definitely shopping him.
- Mike Boone of the Montreal Gazette: Boone thinks the Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier shouldn’t think about trading defenseman P.K. Subban.
- Jason Brough of Pro Hockey Talk: Brough lists some pending UFAs that could be available: Hal Gill, Pavel Kubina, Tim Gleason, Bryan Allen, Adrian Aucoin, Andy Sutton, Chris Campoli, Steve Staios, Milan Jurcina and Brett Clark.
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: There have been rumors of the Maple Leafs have an interest in Sam Gagner. The Oilers are looking for a defenseman, and should look at Carl Gunnarsson or Luke Schenn. Schenn’s name as been in the rumors more often than Gunnarsson of late.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Marty Turco signed with EC Redbull Salzburg, but he has an out clause until the trade deadline.
Could the Leafs be looking at Clowe? Rutherford wants a ton … No serious talks with Karlson … Peckham, Sutton getting interest … A Miller for Hiller swap?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on January 27th, 2012
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
- Only a few GM’s are in Ottawa, Brian Burke is one of them, and everyone is waiting for him to make a move.
“He’s trying. He’s trying hard. He definitely wants to get bigger,” a league executive said Thursday.
The Leafs would love to bring in a hard-nosed forward. A guy they could look at is Sharks winger Ryane Clowe. Clowe has 1 year left at a $3.625 million cap hit. There is word that he might be someone the Sharks could look at moving. It might take more than the Leafs want to offer San Jose to get him though. The Leafs would likely have interest in Tuomo Ruutu. The Hurricanes have talked to Ruutu about a contract extension but it’s believed he’s asking for too much on a long-term deal, so he’ll likely be traded.
- League sources are saying that Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford is asking a ton for his UFA defenseman. A league source said that Hurricanes are asking for 2 1st round picks or a 1st round pick and an ‘A’ prospect for one of Tim Gleason, Bryan Allen or Jaroslav Spacek. The asking price will come down.
- The Blue Jackets would move center Antoine Vermette. He’s been available all season.
- The Senators and defenseman Erik Karlsson’s camp haven’t had any serious contract talks. It will likely wait until after the season.
- The Oilers are getting interest in defenseman Theo Peckham and Andy Sutton. Sutton will be a UFA at the end of the year. Peckham will be an RFA, and there are plenty of teams looking for help on the blueline.
- The Ducks, Blackhawks and Lightning could be looking for goaltending help, so keep an eye on Ryan Miller. The Sabres aren’t shopping him, but they’ll have to decide soon if they are in the playoff hunt or not. A Miller for Jonas Hiller trade could be possible.
NHL Rumors involving the Bruins, Devils, Wild, Flyers, Maple Leafs, Red Wings, Canucks, Panthers, Sharks, Penguins and Sabres
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 13th, 2012
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:
* Bruins are moving cautiously towards the trade deadline as GM Chiarelli doesn’t want to mess with their chemistry.“Obviously we have a lot of cap room, so there’s a lot of flexibility,” Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told ESPN.com Thursday. “I would like to add depth-wise on the forward front and depth-wise on the defenseman front. But I don’t want to subtract anything.”
LeBrun thinks that Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu and/or defenseman Tim Gleason could be options.
* There is a growing feeling around the league that Devils GM Lou Lamoriello won’t trade Zach Parise at the deadline if he’s not signed by then. His rights could be moved before the free agency starts if a deal can’t be reached.
“He can’t trade away his captain, the face of the franchise, with the team sitting in a playoff spot,” one source told ESPN.com Thursday.
* The Minnesota Wild have been looking to upgrade their offense for months but their aren’t going to deplete their prospects to do so. LeBrun thinks they may move a B-level prospect, a pick or a player off their roster to get a top 6. Possibly for a guy like Vinny Prospal in Columbus.
* LeBrun confirms that the Flyers and Maple Leafs have talked over the last week. The Leafs like James van Riemsdyk and the Flyers are looking for a Dman. Ryan Suter is at the top of the Flyers wish list and have shown interest in Hurricanes Tim Gleason.
* The Rangers are looking for a top 6 forward and/or a power play defenseman. They are keeping an eye on the Ryan Suter-Shea Weber-Nashville Predators situation.
* The Red Wings will be working the phones over the next 6-7 weeks. They have some interest in Ales Hemsky, and may be looking for a backup goalie upgrade.
* The Canucks are looking for size upfront, likely for the bottom 6. Cory Schneider is more likely to be dealt in the offseason than at the deadline.
* The Panthers want to get healthy before they decide what they want to do heading towards the trade deadline.
“We don’t know yet, hopefully we’ll have everybody back in the lineup in the next couple of week and then we’ll see what we have,” Panthers GM Dale Tallon told ESPN.com Thursday. “And then we’ll see where we’re at as well. There’s no rush here.”
* The Sharks could use a 3rd line forward and have been shopping Antero Niittymaki.
- Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: Despite the recent Penguins struggles, they don’t have anything cooking on the trade front. GM Ryan Shero has a tendency to let the market develop before moving on a deal. They are currently out of the playoffs, but they are not panicking. They don’t have a big deal in the works and any move is weeks away.
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Shero shot down the notion about shelving Sidney Crosby and possibly Kris Letang for the season, and use the cap relief on a big trade or 2.
“I have to have it in my mind about what we might have coming back,” Shero said. “Those guys are worth waiting for.”
There is still no timetable on Crosby and Letang’s return.
“We never even once discussed that,” Shero said of putting Crosby on long-term injured reserve to let him continue to heal for several months and finding a replacement or two through trades.
- Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star: Trade speculation out of Philadelphia has them interested in Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn.
“It doesn’t really mean much,” Schenn, 21, said. “They’re just rumours and I’m happy being here in Toronto. In the 3½ years that I’ve been here there has been a few rumours about trades that were going to happen. They come up every year somehow.”
It’s no secret the Leafs GM Brian Burke likes James van Riemsdyk. JVR signed a 6 year extension with a $4.25 million cap hit in the offseason. Schenn signed a 5 year deal with a $3.5 million cap hit just before the season started.
- Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News: Sabres owner Terry Pegula points out the injuries that have hit the team:
“What everybody is missing is that I’ve been carrying around 167 man games,” he said by telephone Thursday evening. “Forget about the season. I’m talking about the last 25 games. We’ve had 18 players go down. It’s like a merry-go-round every night. You look on the ice and what are your defensive pairs tonight? Hell, who knows? Who’s healthy?
“I think what’s important is the number of guys. You can have 167 man games with four, five, six guys out for a long period. Eighteen? Cut me a break. I told Darcy Regier one time, ‘If I was you, I would be afraid to get on the plane.’ “
The Sabres sit 11th in the East with a 18-19-5 record heading into tonight. Many players have struggled. Robyn Regher is -12. Brad Boyes has been injured and hasn’t produced when healthy. Ryan Miller is having the worst season of his career. Derek Roy is 115th in scoring. The Sabres could keep everyone together, make some trade to upgrade the roster which may not be easy, or trade players who they don’t see there long term.
“My attitude now is, ‘Let’s put Humpty [Dumpty] back together again,’ ” Pegula said. “I want our players to know that I thought we had a pretty good hockey team until all this happened. Let’s paste it back together and start a new season.”
Wings-Leafs 2013 WC rumor … Panthers talking to Versteeg and Garrison … Kopitar leaves game … Green to LTIR … Umberger has concussion symptoms
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 13th, 2012
- Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News: It’s expected that the NHL will announce the site of next year’s Winter Classic during the All-Star weekend. Rumor is they’ll be announcing a Red Wings – Maple Leafs match-up in Detroit. Wings owner Mike Ilitch may want it at the Tigers Stadium. Michigan Stadium holds 110,000 plus. Officially 104,172 attended The Big House (Michigan Stadium) to see the Wolverines and Spartans set the record for most people at a hockey game. Unofficially they figured the number was closer to 113,000. They don’t sell beer at college football games at The Big House.
- Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: Panthers GM Dale Tallon has said they are already working on contract extensions for Kris Versteeg and Jason Garrison. Talks have begun but nothing is imminent. They haven’t talked in weeks, but they have got things rolling.
- Dan Arritt of ESPN Los Angeles: Kings center Anze Kopitar left last night’s game with an upper body injury. He was checked head-first into the boards by Stars forward Brenden Morrow in the 3rd period. Coach Sutter said he just had a bloody nose and will be fine.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets forward RJ Umberer is out indefinitely with concussion like symptoms.
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: The Capitals have put Mike Green on the LTIR. February 1st is the earliest he’ll be able to return. The Caps recalled forward Cody Eakin to take Green’s spot on the 23 man roster.
- Josh Rimer via twitter: Red Wings GM Ken Holland on Nicklas Lidstrom not being named to the All-Star game: “Lidstrom wanted a few days off during the break & he’s looking forward to a few days off to rest the batteries.”
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Ducks Teemu Selanne was asked to go to the All-Star game but politely declined.
- Sean Fitz-Gerald via twitter: Jonas Gustavsson will make his 5th consecutive start for the Maple Leafs tonight in Buffalo. Coach Ron Wilson is not sure if James Reimer will play this weekend.
Trade notes on Schneider and the Avs … Jan. 1st if key for some free agents … Injury notes on Crosby, Wisniewski, Duchene and Morrow
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 30th, 2011
- Dan Murphy via twitter: Murphy doesn’t think the Canucks will trade Cory Schneider this year.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Answering mailbag questions: “If the Avalanche is in the playoff hunt when the deadline presents itself (Feb. 27), then I think there’s an excellent chance the Avs will be buyers. They’ve got the cap room to do something like pick up a name guy, even if as only a rental.”
- Craig Custance of ESPN: Players who signed a 1-year deals can’t sign contract extensions until after January 1st. “What makes this year unique is that the CBA expires after this season, which means players and teams may not be as eager to sign midseason extensions until they have a good feel for what the structure of the new CBA will be.” Shea Weber is the most notable player waiting for Jan. 1st, but there are a few others who may also be looking to sign an extension. Blues ‘backup’ Brian Elliott signed a 1 year, $600,000 deal in the offseason and has a 14-4-0 record with a 1.63 GAA. Blues GM Doug Armstrong: “Right now our policy is we wait until the 45-50 [game] mark until we worry about next year’s team,” Armstrong said. “We’ll get well into the New Year and see.” Oilers defenseman Corey Potter got off to a hot start before injuring his ankle, but is establishing himself as a top 4 Dman. Blues forward T.J. Oshie is on pace for 27 goals, and is willing to talk extension. ”We’re open to it,” said agent Matthew Oates of O2K Management Group. “The biggest thing is for T.J. to keep doing what he’s doing and the team to keep winning. T.J. loves St. Louis.” Stars defenseman Sheldon Souray got a fresh start from GM Joe Nieuwendyk, and had put up 15 points in his 1st 33 games.
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: It’s not looking like Sidney Crosby will be returning to the Penguins lineup anytime soon. There is no timetable, and no indication from the team or medical staff if there are plans to shut him down for the season.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson on defenseman James Wisniewski ankle: “It’s broken. Our docs will look at him tomorrow.” It may not be season ending.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche center Matt Duchene left last night’s game in the 1st period with a knee injury. It looked like he caught his skate in a rut while delivering a hit. He’ll be re-evaluated today. Defenseman Jan Hejda took an elbow from Raffi Torres in the 2nd period. He finished the game, but said afterwards that he wasn’t feeling 100%.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars captain Brenden Morrow left last night’s game after he took a puck right on the MCL that has bothered him for years. On what his prognosis might be, “I have no idea. I’ve sprained them before, but I don’t know if I’ve ever taken a slapshot off of one. I’ll have to wait until tomorrow and just try to keep the swelling down.”
- Dallas Stars via twitter: Andrew Raycroft cleared waivers.
Change of scenery needed for Hemsky? Could the Oilers trade Smyth? Wings could use scoring winger … Wilson wants contract in stocking
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 24th, 2011
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers winger Ales Hemsky will be a UFA at the end of the season, but is struggling offensively (3 goals and 8 assists). It may be time for a change of scenery for Hemsky. Teams will be calling. The Red Wings, Predators, Penguins and Rangers could be interested. Teams will be calling the Ducks about Teemu Selanne, but Matheson could only see Selanne agreeing to play in Winnipeg if the Jets are in the hunt. Matheson wonders if the Oilers would go to Ryan Smyth to see if he’d want to play for a contender this year? “Absolutely, and, if the Oilers frame it right, they can assure No. 94, who should probably have his number retired here one day, that they’ll re-sign him after July 1 so he’ll have the best of both worlds.”
- Ansar Khan via twitter: Khan thinks the Red Wings will make a move by the deadline, and a scoring winger is at the top of their list.
- Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson via twitter: “This Xmas could be better if Santa stuffs a certain piece of paper in my stocking.
#whatcouldthatbe”.
- Stu Cowan in the Ottawa Citizen: Cowan thinks the Canadiens should hire Guy Carbonneau as the teams next head coach.
“I got fired by Bob (Gainey), and Pierre Gauthier was there, so I don’t know what Geoff would do,” Carbonneau said. “I loved what I did when I was in Montreal, I enjoyed everything that was around it, even if it was hard . . . I think there’s nothing that’s ever easy. But I definitely want to go back behind a (NHL) bench, and I think Montreal is a great place for that.”
- David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Sharks forward Martin Havlat had surgery and “can’t do much for the next two or three weeks.” Goalie Antero Niittymaki is back from his 3 game conditioning stint.
- Dallas Stars via twitter: Stars defenseman Sheldon Souray left last night’s game with a lower body injury.
- Jonas Siegel via twitter: Maple Leafs defenseman John-Michael Liles missed last night’s game with a neck injury, but will be ready to return on Tuesday.
Fallout from the Kaberle trade … Pronger has concussion-like symptoms, Schenn mild concussion … Ryan to center … Gonchar doubtful
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 10th, 2011
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: One GM told LeBrun that he was absolutely shocked that the Hurricanes were able to move Tomas Kaberle’s contract.
- Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford on the signing of Kaberle: “I should have known better.” Rutherford added that he would have “preferred” to have dealt Kaberle for a forward but “there was not a deal out there.”
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Hickey doesn’t think the Kaberle trade “doesn’t make sense on any level. ” The Canadiens now have $43 million tied into 12 players and have Carey Price, P.K. Subban, Josh Gorges, Raphael Diaz, Alexei Emelin and Lars Eller as RFAs.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger has “concussion-like” symptoms, and forward Brayden Schenn has a mild concussion. Pronger will be further evaluated on Wednesday by the same doctors who treated Sidney Crosby. GM Paul Holmgren on Schenn “We’ll keep him shut down through the weekend and see how he is Monday.”
- M Whicker of the OC Register: With Saku Koivu injured, the Ducks are shifting Bobby Ryan to center Teemu Selanne and Andrew Cogliano. Bruce Boudreau hopes to have defenseman Lubomir Visnovksy back “within a week to 10 days.”
- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators defenseman Sergei Gonchar is doubtful for tonight. He left Thursday’s game with an upper body injury. Filip Kuba is at least 3 weeks away from returning from his upper body injury.
- Scott Cruickshank of the Calgary Herald: Flames forward David Moss will return to the lineup next week.
- Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: The Kings have placed forward Ethan Moreau on waivers.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars goalie Richard Bachman may get his first NHL start against the Kings tonight.
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