Injury Notes: Gryba, Spezza, Erat, Seidenberg, Ference and Redden

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on May 16th, 2013 6:50 am, No Comments

  • Ian Mendes: Senators coach Paul MacLean gave no update on the status of defenseman Eric Gryba, but didn’t rule him out for Game 2 just yet.
  • Bruce Garrioch: Senators Jason Spezzastayed in Ottawa to skate with the other black aces and won’t be returning for Game 2. He’s skated everyday for the last two weeks.

    “Everybody on our team is hopeful and everybody in Ottawa is hopeful,” said centre Kyle Turris. “He’s a player you can’t replace. He’s somebody that adds so much to a team and he’s one of the best players in the league.

    “To have him possibly in the lineup, yeah it’s a huge help, but we understand if he’s not we can carry on and continue to play.”

  • Katie Carrera: Capitals Martin Erat dislocated his elbow when he collided with Alex Ovechkin and Derek Stepan in round one. He would have been ready for round two.
  • Joe Haggerty: Bruins defensemen Dennis Seidenberg, Andre Ference and Wade Redden missed practice yesterday. James Murphy of ESPN: GM Peter Chiarelli indicated that they could be without all three tonight. Torey Krughas been recalled.

    “Maybe we have a different look than we’re used to, as far as puck transporting,” Chiarelli said. “Maybe that’s a good thing, but that’s what we’re going to be. We’re calling up Torey Krug today to come along for the ride, so you may see him at a point. Those three D, if they’re in the lineup, give us a little different complexion back there.”

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Morning Hits: Stars, Koivu, Selanne, Niederreiter and Blues

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 15th, 2013 7:40 am, No Comments

  • Eric Stephens: Ducks GM Murray said the team will be different next year. He indicated that he’d like Saku Koivu to return, and will talk to Teemu Selanne over the next little while.
  • Anaheim Ducks: Murray on Teemu Selanne: “I’ll wait a while, go hit a few (golf) balls, go play with him and let him beat me, and then we’ll decide.”
  • Brian Costello: The Dallas Stars were cheering for the Bruins. If the Bruins make the Eastern Conference final, the Stars will get their 1st round pick. If they don’t, they’ll get a 2nd round pick. From the Jaromir Jagr trade.
  • B.D. Gallof: “Just to make this VERY clear… Nino Niederreiter is NOT being actively shopped. See his name coming up like forgone conclusion. To expand on Nino thoughts: yes, he is a tradable asset. however, when has Garth ever just traded off asset? Has to be right scenario. Also do not believe #isles will spend ANY rebuild assets for a goalie when vets aplenty.
  • Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: A couple Blues GM Doug Armstrong quotes in case you missed them.

    “This is a public cry that for any GMs that have any 50-goal scorers that want to just send them to St. Louis, give me a call,” Armstrong said. “I spent the last two days going over the top 20 scorers the last few years, and most of them are drafted by their own teams. Reality is with free agency the way it is now, teams tie up those elusive top-end goal scorers.

    “If I can find a guy that can come in and help us score goals, certainly we’re going to look at doing it. But to think that that player is out there and teams say, ‘Geez, it’s St. Louis’ time to win, we’ll give you (Alex) Ovechkin,’ you’ve got to deal in reality. … It’s incumbent upon the players in this room to find out how to produce when the lights are the brightest to score those goals.”

    “We have players that have produced in the past that haven’t been able to get us over the hump in the playoffs, but they’re still in those prime years,” Armstrong said. “I believe that the home-grown talent can produce at those times. The easiest thing is to show somebody the door. It’s foolish if you’re not bringing in somebody that’s better.”

    Andy McDonald will be a UFA and is not expected to re-sign. Armstrong said they expect to re-sign all their RFAs including Chris Stewart and Patrik Berglund.

    “I don’t see this being a huge free agency offseason for us,” he said. “I see it more taking care of our own business and then seeing if we want to re-arrange some of the chairs via trade.”

    Stewart, Berglund and David Perron could be players the Blues consider trading.

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Injury Notes: Gryba, Howard, Bonino, Getzlaf, Beauchemin, Lydman, Fasth, Bozak and Huberdeau

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on May 15th, 2013 7:09 am, No Comments

  • Seth Rorabaugh: Senators coach Paul MacLean said that Eric Gryba will be further evaluated for his “upper-body” injury.
  • Ansar Khan: Red Wings Jimmy Howard left practice early yesterday. He’s had a sore hamstring, but he’s still played well through it.
  • Eric Stephens: Ducks GM Bob Murray said that center Nick Bonino had a torn hamstring, which he suffered playing soccer before a practice in March. Murray added that Ryan Getzlaf’s ankle was never the same after he injured it on March 3rd against the Stars. Francois Beauchemin was playing with a torn ACL for a while and will have surgery soon to repair it. Defenseman Toni Lydman confirmed that he suffered a concussion from the Justin Abdelkader hit. Goalie Viktor Fasth was playing at 80% at the end of the year with a strained lower abdominal muscle.
  • SN 590 The Fan: Maple Leafs assistant GM Claude Loiselle on Tyler Bozak’s injury: “Bozak was dealing with a bicep injury”
  • Allan Walsh: Panthers’ forward Jonathan Huberdeau had successful hip surgery yesterday.

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Morning hits: Stars, Ducks Canucks, Price, Kaberle, Blues, Coyotes bid rejected, Dion’s days numbered?

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 14th, 2013 7:32 am, No Comments

  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson laughing at a fan site suggesting a Loui Eriksson trade to the Islanders for Ryan Strome and Michael Grabner, and with Islanders fans saying they wouldn’t trade either straight up for Eriksson. Matheson does note that Eriksson could be in play for a front-line center. The Stars also have some defenseman that could be on the move.

    The Stars have lots of young defencemen looking for regular work — Jamie Oleksiak, Joe Morrow and Kevin Connauton — which makes trading Trevor Daley or Alex Goligoski certainly plausible.

    Matheson wonders if the Ducks would take a run at Stephen Weiss.

    Matheson thinks with the Canucks at $63.5 million for 16 players for next season, will use their buyouts on David Booth and Keith Ballard. Both have two years left at $4.2 million cap hits. Mason Raymond is likely gone as a UFA.

  • Dave Stubbs: Addressing a Canadiens Carey Price rurmor: “Price asking for a trade would need to travel a million miles just to reach ludicrous.”
  • John Lu: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said a decision on a compliance buyout for Tomas Kaberle hasn’t been made yet.
  • Jeremy Rutherford: Blues playoff issue. Rutherford knew fans who didn’t buy tickets as they didn’t know when the games were starting soon enough. The Blues didn’t sell out three playoff home games.
  • Norm Sanders of the News-Democrat: (h/t Pro Hockey Talk) Blues GM Doug Armstrong on their need for more scoring.

    “This is a public cry that for any GMs that have 50-goal scorers that they want to send to St. Louis, give me a call,” he joked. “This doesn’t happen, you have to deal in reality. The reality is with free agency the way it is now, teams tie up those elusive top-end goal scorers.

    “They draft them. (Evgeni) Malkin, (Sidney) Crosby, (John) Tavares, (Steven) Stamkos were drafted by those teams.”

    The Blues will send qualifying offers to all of their free agents.

    “We’re going to negotiate to try to sign every player that’s a restricted free agent,” he said. “Ownership understands that the window is open now and we have to take care of our own. I don’t see this being a huge free-agency off-season for us. I see it more as taking care of our own business — and then seeing if we want to rearrange some of the chairs via trade.

  • Scott Burnside of ESPN: The NHL has rejected California investment banker Darin Pastor’s bid to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.

    “We have rejected the offer. It didn’t include the elements we had previously discussed were necessary to warrant serious consideration,” Daly said in an email Monday night.

    It was rumored that he was willing to pay upwards of $277 million with $42 million in cash at closing, though that seems unlikely as it would be hard for the NHL to walk away from that.

  • David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: (h/t Lyle Richardson in the Hockey News) Shoalts piece was written last Thursday after Dion Phaneuf’s pinch that cost the Leafs the game. Shoalts thinks that Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis should move to Plan B and “The plan should include quietly putting Phaneuf on the trade market no later than the NHL draft at the end of June. Nonis will not hit a home run with a trade, nor should he expect to thanks to Phaneuf’s erratic play.” A deal would may only get a modest return, but Nonis should accept it. Phaneuf has a year left with a $6.5 salary cap hit and may not take a pay cut from the Leafs.
  • Tim Wharnsby of CBC: h/t Lyle Richardson in the Hockey News) Wharnsby’s piece was written last Thursday. Wharnsby wonders if Dion Phaneuf’s days in Toronto are numbered. He continues to make the same mistakes he made as a rookie in 2005. Nonis may have to make a decision by draft. The Leafs have organizational depth on the blue line. Nonis would have to feel that Jake Gardiner is ready for a bigger role. Cody Franson may be ready for a bigger role.
  • James Mirtle: On Phaneuf: Mirtle would be surprised if the Maple Leafs didn’t re-sign him.
  • John Lu: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin on order of positions that mature the fastest: wingers, centers, defensemen and goalies.

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Playoff hits: Game 1′s, Spezza, Bozak, Holzer, Gunnarson, Blackhawk lines and Vokoun

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on May 13th, 2013 3:15 pm, No Comments

  • Senators and Penguins – Tuesday May 14th 7:30 pm ET.

    Sharks and Kings – Tuesday May 14th 10:00 pm ET.

    Blackhawks and Red Wings – Wednesday May 15th 8:00 pm ET.

  • Bruce Garrioch: Senators GM Bryan Murray said that they will talk to Jason Spezza after a couple practices. Ian Mendes: Spezza skated with the extras today. Bruce Garrioch: Spezza didn’t make the trip to Pittsburgh, but hasn’t been ruled out for Game 2.
  • Jonas Siegel: Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle wouldn’t update Tyler Bozak’s status. Darren Dreger: Bozak didn’t make the trip with the Leafs to Boston.
  • David Alter: Leafs call up Korbinian Holzer. Could be for precautionary reasons as Carl Gunnarson has been battling hip issues.
  • Scott Powers: Blackhawks lines: Saad-Toews-Hossa, Kane-Bolland-Sharp, Bickell-Shaw-Smith, Frolik-Kruger-Carcillo.
  • Dejan Kovacevic: Penguins Tomas Vokoun hasn’t been told if he’ll be starting or not.

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Morning hits: Keenan, Selanne, Yeo, Backstrom, Blues goaltending, Islanders and the Flyers draft

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 13th, 2013 7:55 am, No Comments

  • Mike Keenan: Will coach Magnitogorsk of the KHL next season.
  • Craig Custance: Teemu Selanne after last night’s game: “I don’t really have to play but this has been so much fun. I just have to decide when it’s time.”
  • Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Wild GM Chuck Fletcher on head coach Mike Yeo.

    “He’s our coach, he’s our coach,” Fletcher said by phone this morning.

    Yeo will return for his third year. The Wild will also have decisions on UFA Niklas Backstrom.

    “Like anybody pending unrestricted free agency, they’re going to have a vote in the matter too. We’ll sit down and talk with all of them and see whether they want to be here and what they’re looking to do and see what fits. That’s what the next two months will be about. We’ll obviously have to make some decision, but before, we have to break down our year and see where we need to put the money the most.”

    No decision has been made if they’d buyout Dany Heatley or anyone else.

  • Jeremy Rutherford: Blues GM Doug Armstrong said their goaltending situation is “cloudy” with Jaroslav Halak, Brian Elliott and Jake Allen.
  • Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Multiple sources have said that Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak and coach Ken Hitchcock “had a heated disagreement outside the club’s locker room” in the morning before Game 4. Halak was late for a meeting, then vented about lack of ice during the season. Halak was unhappy about not getting into the last game of the season after returning from a groin injury. Halak’s unhappiness was noted by the organization as early as Game 1, as he wasn’t giving full effort during their morning skate. He has only one year left on his deal with a $4.5 million salary and $3.75 million cap hit. Brian Elliott has one year left with a $1.9 million salary and $1.8 million salary cap hit. Jake Allen will be a RFA after this season.
  • Arthur Staple of Newsday: Both Travis Hamonic and Josh Bailey (RFAs) are almost certain to return, but UFAs Mark Streit and Evgeni Nabokov and are not as certain. Streit is looking for a three year deal worth around $16 million. UFA Brad Boyes could be back, but only if he’s looking for a reasonable number.
  • Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: On what the Flyers could do come draft day. The Flyers could use a cornerstone defenseman. Many mocks have them targeting a tough Dman, either Rasmus Ristolainen or Darnell Nurse. With the 11th pick, GM Paul Holmgren is “confident” they’ll get a good player.

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Playoff hits: Sens-Pens series, Bruins flight canceled, Bolland, Ference and Spezza

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on May 13th, 2013 7:27 am, No Comments

  • Bruce Garrioch: The league should decide soon when the Senators-Penguins series starts, lots of logistics for both teams.
  • Matt Pepin of the Boston Globe: The Bruins flight was canceled last night due to mechanical issues with their charter. The Bruins will leave this morning. The Maple Leafs flew out last night. GM Peter Chiarelli released a statement last night:

    “Late during tonight’s game we were made aware that there was a malfunction with our airplane. As a result we are staying in Toronto on Sunday night and the team will travel to Boston on Monday morning.”

  • Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune: Dave Bolland was back practicing in his center spot on the third line over the weekend, and coach Joel Quenneville confirmed that Bolland will be returning to the lineup to start round two.
  • TSN: Senators Jason Spezza practiced with teammates yesterday for the first time since having back surgery on February 1st.

    “It’s been a long process and a long season for me,” Spezza said. “It felt good to join the team again and get some reps in. It may not seem like it and I may not play this year, but for me it’s a small victory.”

    It’s not known if Spezza will travel with the team to Pittsburgh. Coach Paul MacLean doesn’t think he’s ready.

    “He’s a long ways away,” said MacLean after practice.

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Morning Hits: Sunday’s schedule, West scenarios, Hart nominees, Neilsen, Spezza, Avalanche and Canadiens

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 11th, 2013 7:18 am, 4 Comments

  • Matt Pepin of the Boston Globe: Sunday’s schedule:

    4:30 p.m.: Washington Capitals at New York Rangers Game 6
    7 p.m.: New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins, Game 7-x
    7:30 p.m.: Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs, Game 6
    10 p.m.: Detroit Red Wings at Anaheim Ducks, Game 7-x

  • Eric Stephens: “If Ducks win Sunday, it’s ANA-LA and SJ-CHI. If DET wins, it plays CHI and SJ faces LA.”
  • John Shannon: Sounding like there is progress being made between the IIHF, NHL, NHLPA regarding the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The major issues remaining appear to be “logistics in Sochi and cost of travel and insurance and who pays.” If/when an agreement is reached, the NHL will be shut down from February 8th to February 25th, 2014.
  • Arthur Staple of Newsday: Islanders Frans Neilsen left Game 5 against the Penguins in the 3rd period and his status for Game 6 is unknown.
  • Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen: Sounds like there is a chance that Jason Spezzawill get back into the Senators lineup for round two. He’s been skating with the black aces/reserves.

    “I think that over the weekend, probably, he’ll continue to work hard and we’ll see then.

    “It’ll then be up to Jason and (coach) Paul (MacLean) to decide if he’s going to practise with the team or take a little longer.

    “But there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

  • Colorado Avalanche: The Avalanche did some management restructuring. Josh Kroenke will be the teams president, replacing Pierre Lacroix, who will stay on as an advisor. Joe Sakic will be their Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and Greg Shermanwill remain as the general manager.

    “Greg Sherman will work with Joe in managing the day-to-day business operations of the team as General Manager,” added Kroenke. “I know he is just as optimistic as Joe and I are about the future of our team.”

  • Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Coyotes coach Dave Tippett’s contract expires on June 30th and would be a home run hire by the Avalanche if they get the opportunity to talk to him. The uncertainty of the ownership situation has left the Coyotes coaching staff and general manager in limbo as they would all like to know where the team may be located before signing deals.
  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Michael Ryder will be one of the Canadiens top free agents heading into the offseason, but they may not be willing to match the money or term that others may offer. Colby Armstrong and Jeff Halpren will be UFAs. Halpren may be worth bringing back. RFAs include: Michael Blunden, Ryan White, Petteri Nokelainen and Gabriel Dumont.

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Morning Hits: Burish, Bolland, Emery, Rinne, Danis and the Canucks

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 10th, 2013 8:02 am, 2 Comments

  • Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: Sharks winger Adam Burish will miss the second round with an upper-body injury. Burish was slashed on the hand by Alex Edler in Game 4.
  • Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks Dave Bolland is hopeful for round two.

    “I’m still day-by-day,” Bolland said. “It’s getting better. I just want to make sure it’s strong. I’m hopefully playing for that Round 2. I’ll keep on working at it and making sure it gets better.”

    Ray Emery is also close to returning.

  • Josh Cooper: Predators GM David Poile said it would be a “steep price” to trade for their fourth overall pick in the draft.
  • Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators Pekka Rinne underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left hip, recovery time is expected to be four months.
  • David Staples: Goalie Yann Danis has been solid for the Oilers AHL team, but is not the ideal NHL backup. Staples would rather see the Oilers trade or sign a goalie who could challenge Devan Dubnyk.
  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks GM Mike Gillis talked to the media and how the Canucks may need to get bigger and grittier.

    “From my perspective … it’s been a terrible season for us,” Gillis said. “We’re going to have to reinvent ourselves and do things differently in order to be successful. The macro look at this team is that changes have to be made.”

    With the cap going down and some big contracts on the books, they’ll need to clear out some salary. Roberto Luongo will likely be traded and there is the amnesty buyout option for Keith Ballard ($4.2 million) and David Booth ($4.25 million).

    “We don’t have the luxury of having picked first overall in the last 10 years,” Gillis said. “We have to use the players we have, the core group that we have, and we have to build around them. There will come a point where that core group is going to be dismantled or will no longer play, but it’s not today.

    “When I took this job, we decided on a style of play that resulted in great success. And clearly, the landscape has changed and we have to address those changes. We don’t have a choice. It’s not something I necessarily agree with. But that’s what we face, and that’s what you have to do.

    “We have to make the changes and adjustments necessary to compete for a Stanley Cup. It’s my intention to do it and recognize what’s going on and make sure we have a team that’s better equipped.”

    “Changes have to be made, but I’m not going to commit today to what those changes will be,” Gillis said. “It’s difficult when things end so quickly and they end so negatively for all of us. It’s pretty emotional to go through.”

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Morning Hits: Vokoun, Fraser, Gionta, Canadiens injuries, Canucks offseason questions and Blue Jackets free agents

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 9th, 2013 7:04 am, 4 Comments

  • Pittsburgh Penguins: Coach Dan Bylsma on starting Tomas Vokoun: “We brought Tomas Vokoun in to play big games for us…He’s done that for us & he’s been very good vs. the #Isles.”
  • James Mirtle: Maple Leafs Mark Fraser was taken to the hospital to check for any broken bones after taking a shot off his face.
  • Renaud Lavoie: Canadiens Brian Gionta will have surgery on Friday for a torn left bicep. He hopes to be ready for training camp.
  • Renaud Lavoie: Brandon Prust and Ryan White are out tonight. Carey Price is day-to-day.
  • Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Ziemer’s thoughts on the Canucks coaching staff.

    The jobs of head coach Alain Vigneault and his staff are most certainly on the line and general manager Mike Gillis is going to face some uncomfortable questions from ownership over the team’s second straight playoff collapse.

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Canucks have the highest payroll going into next season, but trading Roberto Luongo or an amnesty buyout of Keith Ballard($4.2 million for two years) will help them get down below the new cap of $64.3 million. Five questions for the Canucks this offseason are:

    • Do the Canucks have a bona fide No. 1 goalie in Schneider moving forward?
    • Should this team still be built around the Sedins?
    • Will Ryan Kesler ever be injury-free?
    • Does this team have the right supporting cast to still contend?
    • Is it time to retool, rebuild or be patient for one more run with this core?

  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen on contract talks with their free agents, including goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

    “We’re working on them. It’s a work in progress on all fronts. Everything has been started, everything is in progress. We’re waiting to hear back from a few agents. Obviously, Bobrovsky is a high priority for us. I told him in the (exit) meetings that everybody talks about his great play, and sure it was remarkable. But I’m even more impressed with his work ethic, how he prepares for the game and every practice, how he takes care of recovery after every game, the routine he goes through every day. That’s what I’m most impressed about Bobrovsky. He sets the bar high for the rest of the guys. I don’t think anybody’s going to argue with me if we says he’s the MVP of our team this year. If he sets the bar that high with the way he works everyday, it’s going to be hard for anybody else in that room to say, well, I’m not going to do this or that today. That’s what I think it’s all about, your best players being your hardest working players. And that’s what we have in Bob.”

    On Bobrovsky’s contract talks …

    “It’s going to take its course, and it’s going to take its time. Some (deals) are quicker than others. We’ll have to stay more patient with some than others. I don’t anticipate any problems. It’s going to be a negotiation. His agent, his representatives are professionals. They have their thought process and we have ours. I’m sure we’re going to reach a result here in the near future.”

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Morning Hits: MacDonald, Price, Vokoun, Predators and Canucks

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 8th, 2013 7:44 am, No Comments

  • Arthur Staple: Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald suffered a broken hand and is likely done for the playoffs.
  • Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette: Carey Price suffered a lower-body injury, possibly a hamstring or groin at the end of regulation and was replaced by Peter Budajfor overtime.

    “When your starting goalie goes down … it’s tough to lose him and it’s tough on the guy who has to come in,” Gorges said. “He’s been sitting there for two-and-a-half hours and we expect him to go in there and be stellar. It’s a tough position to be in, and it’s unfortunate it unfolded that way.

    “Plays get thrown to the front of the net,” he added of the scramble that produced the winning goal, “and a lot of times it’s a 50-50 puck. We have to be stronger.”

  • Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Kovacevic is one of many who is calling for Tomas Vokoun to be the Penguins starter for Game 5. Marc-Andre Fleuryhas allowed 14 goals on 102 shots, and 40 goals in his last 10 playoff games. Coach Dan Bylsma:

    “Certainly, Tomas Vokoun is a guy that can step in and play and has had success and won hockey games against this team, was successful this year. We’re going to come out for Game 5 with a refocus.”

    “One of the reasons we wanted Tomas Vokoun was to play hockey games and win hockey games for us. Marc-Andre Fleury is our starting goaltender and started this series and won us some hockey games, made a lot of saves for us … but we’re not going to talk about our starting goaltender for Game 5.”

  • Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: The Predators are currently $18 million under next year’s salary cap. Cooper lists four players who could be good options for the Predators: Stephen Weiss,  Nathan Horton, Sergei Gonchar and Derek Roy.
  • Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province: Gallagher mentions some possible moves that the Canucks could look at, with some being a little radical. Trade Alex Edler to a team like the Flyers. The Flyers have some young forwards that they might consider moving for someone like Edler. Could they look at moving Ryan Kesler or Dan Hamhuis? Though both have a no-trade clause. Alex Burrows’ no-trade clause doesn’t kick in until July 1st. They could trade Roberto Luongo for whatever you can get for him, which may not be a lot. Cory Schneider would bring more return. The Sedin’s are heading into the last year of their deals.

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Morning Hits: Rolston, Weber, Fistric, Torres, McDonald, Canucks and Staal

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 7th, 2013 8:37 am, 1 Comment

  • Bucky Gleason: The Sabres announced that Ron Rolston will remain on as head coach.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: If the Predators make Shea Weber available on July 24th, they’ll get plenty of phone calls. If they were to look at moving him, they would likely want the team to help out with the $13 million signing bonus that is due on July 1st. Matheson is hearing that the Oilers have offered Mark Fistic a three year deal at $1.5 million a year. Fistric asked for $2 million a year, and talks have stalled. If the Oilers are looking for role players for next season, they should take a look at Raffi Torres. Matheson wonders if the Ducks would be interested in Andy McDonald, who’ll be a UFA at seasons end, and the Blues likely won’t have enough money to re-sign him.
  • Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Province: Who starts Game 4 for the Canucks is not known yet.

    “If I’m called upon, I’ll be ready.” Luongo said. “If not, Cory will be ready as well. It’s his team and whatever happens I will be 100 per cent supportive. We just have to make sure when we come to the rink, starting tomorrow, we are 100 per cent dedicated to winning the hockey game, doing whatever it takes whether that is taking a punch in the face, blocking a shot with your teeth. If we have 20 guys ready to do that in the next game, I like our chances.”

  • Steve Zipay: The Rangers activated defenseman Marc Staal from the IR yesterday.

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