Posts Tagged Alexander Salak

Rumors and Notes: Parise, Suter, Nash, Ryan, Colaiacovo, Red Wings, Hurriances, Semin, Yandle, Penguins, Bouwmeester, and Blackhawks

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 5th, 2012

  • Dan Rosen via twitter: Predators GM David Poile said that Nashville did everything that Suter wanted, including a big contract offer. Suter said he choose the Wild for family reasons.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: The ball is now in the Blue Jackets court. The Red Wings, Penguins, Rangers, Flyers and Sharks are all on Rick Nash’s list, and possibly the Hurricanes. There has to be a ‘homerun’ offer in that group.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Teams looking to add 30 goal scorers now have to look at Nash and Ryan. It’s confirmed that the Red Wings, Rangers, Flyers, Penguins and Sharks are on Nash’s list, but there may to another team or two on it. There has also been hints that Nash may expand his list. Neither side wants a be faced with Nash being a Blue Jacket in September. If Nash expands his list, the Hurricanes may be a team that is added. The Rangers have tried to get Nash without giving up any proven NHL players (other an Brandon Dubinsky) or top level prospects.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Options for the Red Wings now are Matt Carle (written before he signed) and Carlo Colaiacovo. Colaiacovo is injury prone and they wouldn’t want to commit a lot of term for him. They could go the trade route. They have 5 defenseman under contract for next year (Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Ian White, Brendan Smith and Jakub Kindl) and they are working on re-signing Kyle Quincey. The Wings will look at Shane Doan if he hits the open market, and they will continue to explore a Rick Nash trade.
  • Ansar Khan of MLive: The Red Wings could use another defenseman and a high-end forward. “We’ll explore what’s left on the market. We’ll talk to some teams to see if there are any players available (by trade).” Forward possibilities through free agency or trade are: Alexander Semin, Shane Doan, Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan. Possible defenseman: Matt Carle, Keith Yandle, Carlo Colaiacovo, Shea Weber and Jay Bouwmeester.
  • Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Oberserver: The Hurricanes are pushing hard for Nash, and are thought to have made a strong offer. The Penguins could now ratchet up the ante. It’s not known what the Hurricanes offered. It’s believed that Jeff Skinner would not be part of any package.
  • Todd Cordell via twitter: Semin’s agent Mark Gandler: “All I can tell you is that Alex will sign with an NHL team.”
  • Pierre LeBrun via twitter: It would take a really good offer to get Keith Yandle out of Phoenix. If he is moved, LeBrun figures could be to Eastern Conference where several teams are interested. Tab Bamford via twitter: If Yandle is available, and Ray Whitney’s replacement is Steve Sullivan, would have to think Shane Doan is considering a new home.
  • Jim Matheson via twitter: There are now more suitors for Rick Nash now that Parise has signed with the Wild. Matheson isn’t sure if the Penguins or Red Wings have the young forwards that the Blues Jackets would want though.
  • Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review: The Penguins have a hole in their top 6.

    “If we could (find center Sidney Crosby) a winger, that would be fantastic,” Shero said. “It would make my life a lot easier, (but) Sid does pretty well whoever he plays with. I’d love to get a winger for Sidney, but those guys don’t fall off trees.”

    The Penguins best free agent options could be Shane Doan or Alexander Semin. Ryan or Nash could be available through trade. They have young defenseman assests in Simon Despres, Joe Morrow, Scott Harrington, Olli Maatta and Derrick Pouliot.

    “We’ll go with what we have at this point,” Shero said. “We’ll see what’s available. … If you can improve your team, you’re going to do that. One thing that we have now that we haven’t had in a while is cap space.” “We like our defense the way it is. If there’s a chance to upgrade, certainly we’re going to do that. But there are a lot of teams looking for defensemen. They’re not easy to find.”

    Shero hasn’t ruled out having one of their current forwards moving up to their top 6, maybe Tyler Kennedy.

  • Josh Yohe via twitter: Penguins GM Ray Shero on Rick Nash or Bobby Ryan: “They’re under contracts. There’s only so much I can say. But if there’s a trade that makes sense, we’ll look.”
  • Roger Millions via twitter: The Flames haven’t tried to trade Jay Bouwmeester. Teams have expressed interest. Could find out quickly if that is so.
  • Jim Matheson via twitter: Matheson thinks the Wild defense is a little sketchy even with the Suter addition. He wonders if they would deal Devin Setoguchi for defensive help.
  • Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: The Blackhawks have lost out on Parise, Suter and Brodeur. Their only addition has been Sheldon Brookbank. Sources are saying that GM Stan Bowman is under significant pressure from management to improve the team. “We’re going to keep pursuing different things,” he said. “It’s only July 4 — the summer hasn’t played itself out yet.” Chris Boden via twitter:
    Bowman wouldn’t say if trades are more likely than free agency now.
  • Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: The Blackhawks are still dangling defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson.

    “Our objective is not to make a splash,” said Bowman, who confirmed his pursuit of goalie Martin Brodeur. “Our objective is to win hockey games.“Our objective is to put a team on the ice that is going to give us the best chance to win the Stanley Cup next year. You have to look, and it’s not like we have seven holes to fill.”

  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk on Derek Roy being a UFA after this season:

    “I think we want to see what’s going on with the CBA. There’s still a lot of uncertainty with the CBA. I think we’ll all catch our breath now, he’ll get situated in Dallas, and we’ll go from there.”

  • St. Louis Post Dispatch: Are Carlo Colaiacovo’s (UFA) days as a Blue numbered? Jeremy Rutherford thinks it’s 50-50 that he’s re-signed. The Blues are looking at other options in their attempt to bring in a defenseman. If they can’t find an upgrade, he could be back. Dan O’Neill says it’s unlikely he’s back.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: UFA Jesse Winchester is still waiting to be picked up. The Senators don’t have a forward spot open for him. He was injured for a good part of last season with a concussion. He passed his baseline test last week.

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Nash likely dealt this week … Sharks to sign Stuart … Jagr to test waters … Flyers update … Bruins to look at trades … Blackhawks sign 3

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 18th, 2012

  • TSN Radio via twitter: Aaron Portzline tells TSN radio that the odds are “pretty good” that Rick Nash gets traded by the NHL Draft.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: The Sharks are expected to announce the signing of Brad Stuart to a 3 year deal either today or tomorrow.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Jaromir Jagr plans on testing free agency. Also plans to adjust his training program to shed some weight and to get faster.
  • Randy Miller via twitter: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said they won’t make a trade before the draft to get the rights of a free agent. Sarah Baicker via twitter: Flyers GM Holmgren said their is no change on Chris Pronger, he has “good days and bad days.” Holmgren is “fairly certain” that he’ll be able to re-sign Matt Carle, but they can’t do anything right now. Holmgren said their forward depth is greater than along the blueline, thought it doesn’t mean they’ll draft a Dman in the 1st round. Randy Miller via twitter: The Flyers have made qualifying offers to Jakub Voracek and Marc-Andre Bourdon to retain their rights. The Flyers don’t plan on trading up in the draft.
  • Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli thinks he’ll be more active in the trade market after free agency starts than this week at the draft, though it could change.
  • Brian Hedger via twitter: The Blackhawks have signed Brandon Bollig and Ben Smith to 2 year contracts. Goalie Carter Hutton gets a 1 year deal, and goalie Alexander Salak is released.

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Crosby cleared for contact … Connolly injury update … No surgery for Markov … Erat to IR … Salak and Atkinson to AHL … Strome to OHL

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on October 13th, 2011

  • Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Sidney Crosby confirms he’s been cleared for full contact. How he responds to the contact will determine when he’ll be cleared to play. Bob McKenzie via twitter: “Given rate at which Crosby recovery has moved, no guarantee at all that game action is imminent, but that won’t stop the speculation.”
  • James Mirtle via twitter: Maple Leafs forward Tim Connolly says he may not be day-to-day anymore, “I have to give it time.” Mirtle guesses at least another week. Darren Dreger via twitter: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke admits that Connolly’s injury is worse than initially thought, but does expect him back soon. Terry Koshan via twitter: Connolly on his upper-body injury: “Whether it is a week or two weeks before I am playing, I could not tell you.”

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Afternoon notes on re-alignment, Stars, Malkin, Crosby, Salak, Crawford, Nystrom, Carter, Fisher, Flyers, Caps, Devils, Canes and “Shannabusiness” video

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on October 12th, 2011

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Bob McKenzie is reporting that the Red Wings are likely moving to the Eastern Conference next year, with the easiest replacement being the Jets. The Stars and Wild are looking to change divisions. The Stars are playing in a division that is out of their time zone. The Wild would like to replace the Wings in the Central. Steven Stamkos, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis were a combined 1 for 17 in the shootout last year, so it’s not a surprise that they weren’t used on Monday night. With Avery’s demotion and Adam Pardy coming off the IR soon, the Stars will be $300,000 under the salary floor. GM Joe Nieuwendyk has been working the phones, likely for a forward since they are carrying 8 defenseman.
  • Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Evgeni Malkin missed his 2nd straight game with a “soreness” according to coach Dan Bylsma. “We do not think it’s a long-term thing, other than just being sore at this point in time,” Bylsma said. Sidney Crosby will have a medical evaluation sometime this week. It’s a routine check-up, but it’s possible he’ll get clearance for contact.
  • Tracey Myers via twitter: The Blackhawks have recalled goalie Alex Salak, Cory Crawford has a groin injury. Update 2:50 pm: Tim Sassone via twitter: Crawford’s groin is okay, missed practice with another issue. Ray Emery has the flu.
  • Erik Erlendsson via twitter: Dwayne Roloson is expected to start in net for the Lightning tomorrow against the Islanders. Mattias Ritola should be in the lineup.
  • Iain MacIntyre via twitter: Flyers probable lines: Voracek-Briere-Simmonds; vanRiemsdyk-Giroux-Jagr; Read-Couturier-Hartnell; Rinaldo-Talbot-Nodl.
  • Brian McNally via twitter: Capitals lines at practice: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Brouwer; Semin-Johansson-Knuble; King/Chimera-Laich-Ward; Hendricks-Halpern/Perreault-Beagle.
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils lines: Parise-Elias-Sykora; Kovlachuk-Josefson-Palmieri; Tedenby-Zubrus-Clarkson; Pelley-Mills-Janssen; Boulton, Henrique.
  • Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes lines: Skinner-Staal-LaRose, Poni-Jokinen-Ruutu, Tlusty-Sutter-Dwyer, Stewart-Brent-Dalpe.
  • Andrew Gross via twitter: Rangers lines: Stepan-Richards-Gaborik (1st time); Dubi-Anisimov-(was Cally), Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust, Rupp-Christensen-Zuccarello

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Weber’s arbitration ruling creates some questions for Preds … Marchand talks starting … Canucks may look at trades … Sharp’s salary breakdown

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 4th, 2011

Craig Custance of the Sporting News: The Predators wanted to signed Shea Weber to a long-term deal, and still have plenty of time to do so. One NHL team executive said they have to consider trading him: “You’ve got no choice now,” he told Sporting News. “The relationship is probably already damaged.”If Brent Burns returned Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle and a 1st round pick. Custance thinks Weber would bring back something “astounding.” A deal could give the Predators the scoring they need up front and more financial room to lock up Ryan Suter and Pekka Rinne who’ll be UFA’s after this season.

Marc Torrence of On the Forecheck: Torrence presents 3 answers to where the Predators go from here with Shea Weber. 1. Negotiate a long-term deal: This is easier said than done. It may not be the best option for Weber, the Preds would like to do a deal. 2. Let it be and revisit the issue next offseason: Weber has his $7.5 million contract for this season. He’ll be an RFA afterwards and open for offer sheets. With the price tag likely 4 1st round picks, he may not get an offer sheet to sign. 3. Trade Shea Weber: The most extreme option but the one that may make the most sense. Weber and Poile need to sit down and figure out if Weber wants to be a Predator long-term. If not, no need to keep him around. The price for Weber would be steep. They would need at least an elite forward and a veteran defenesman.

James Murphy of ESPN Boston: Bruins RFA Brad Marchand said talks are starting to pick up:

“I have no idea right now … what the numbers are or how long it’s going to be,” Marchand told Steve Murphy of CTV Atlantic when asked what kind of contract he may sign. “Right now, we’re just kind of getting into things. It’s been a long summer and people have been on vacation and enjoying the Cup so we’re going to start getting into it pretty heavily here and hopefully we’ll get something done soon.”

Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: The Canucks may look to make a trade closer to training camp. They could look to add a top 6 forward if the right one becomes available. Ryan Kesler is out 10-12 weeks and will miss the start of the season. Free agent Brad Winchester is still calling the Canucks trying to get a deal.

Slava Malamud via twitter: Nikolai Zherdev’s contract with Atlant of the KHL is only for 1 year as he hopes to continue his career in the NHL, but does the NHL feel the same?

Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Patrick Sharp contract breakdown: 2011-12 $2 million with a $4 million signing bonus. 2012-13 $3.5 million with a $3 million signing bonus. 2013-14 $4.5 million with a $2 million signing bonus. 2014-15 $5.5 million. 2015-16 $5 million.

Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: Ray Emery will be given every chance to beat out Alexander Salak as the Blackhawks backup goalie in training camp.

“We figure it’s a good opportunity to see how (Emery) stacks up against Salak,” general manager Stan Bowman said Wednesday. “There were questions going into last year how would (Emery) recover from his injury. He kind of single-handedly got (the Ducks) into the playoffs when Hiller went down. He certainly has the ability. It’s going to make for good competition.”

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Shea Weber update … Emery gets tryout from ‘Hawks … Khabibulin heading to ‘Tent City’ … Some remaining UFAs

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 28th, 2011

  • Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Shea Weber and the Predators have their arbitration hearing on August 2nd if a deal can’t get done before.

    “It would be way better for the player and the team to negotiate a contract,” Predators General Manager David Poile said. “But the arbitration gives you that ability if you can’t do that. And right now that’s where we fall if we can’t get a contract done.”

    Yesterday morning Poile said he tried contacting Weber’s agents but hadn’t heard back from them.

    “We are preparing to go to Toronto (for arbitration),” Poile said. “Would I like to sign Shea to a longer-term contract vs. going to arbitration? Absolutely.”

  • Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: Goalie Ray Emery will be attending the Chicago Blackhawks training camp on a tryout. He’ll battle Alexander Salak for the backup position. The Blackhawks will have until Oct. 1st to decide whether to sign him or not. “He’s an NHL goalie,” Barry said. “He’s there to play in the NHL. That’s what the plan is. He would not want to start in the ‘A.’ He certainly intends to be worthy of a one-way deal.”
  • Conal Pierse of the Edmonton Journal: Nikolai Khabibulin will spend 15 days in Arizona’s Tent City Jail. “There will be no coffee, no salt, no cigarettes, no porno, no movies,” Arpaio said. “The only television we give them is the weather channel, so they can see how hot it is.”
  • Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star: There are some big names left on the free agent market, but their better years may be behind them. Some may be forced to leave the league, take big pay cuts or retire. Teemu Selanne still hasn’t informed the Ducks what he plans on doing. Some other players available are: Bryan McCabe, Chris Drury, Scott Hannan, Cory Stillman, Nikolai Zherdev, Alexei Kovalev, Sergei Samsonov, John Madden, Marty Turco, Mike Modano.
  • Winnipeg Sun: A Russian news organization is saying that Nikolai Zherdev wants to play for the Jets. No word if they want him or not.

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Blues re-sign Berglund … Canadiens bring Gill back for 1 more year … Blackhawks sign 3 … Duck sign 1, lose 1

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on June 1st, 2011

  • Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The St. Louis Blues have re-signed Patrik Berglund to a 2 year deal worth $4.5 million. This past season Berglund scored 22 goals and added 30 assists for 52 points.

    “I believe, coming out of that first contract, the shorter-term deals are both beneficial to the team and the player,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said Tuesday. “I think what this does, it allows Patrik to define himself as a player. He’ll have five years of NHL experience when this deal is done and he’ll be entering that next phase of his career. I think the two-year deal really helps solidify his position not only on our team but in the league.”

  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed defenseman Hal Gill to a 1 year contract worth $2.25 million. Gill will continue to mentor PK Subban. The Canadiens are expected to re-sign Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges. They likely don’t have the cap space to bring James Wisniewski and Roman Hamrlik. Brent Sopel, Paul Mara and Alexandre Picard are likely not to return.
  • Chicago Sun-Times: The Chicago Blackhawks have signed Swedish goalie Alexander Salak to a 2 year contract. They have also signed Byron Froese and David Gilbert to 3 year deals. Froese was a 2009 4th round pick, and recorded 43 goals last year with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. Gilbert was a 2009 7th round pick.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Anaheim Ducks have signed Finnish prospect Sami Vatanen to an entry level deal. Vatanen is expected to remain in Finland for at least 1 more season. 2009 6th round pick Scott Valentine rejected the Ducks final offer and could head back into the draft if he doesn’t change his mind on the contract.

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Boogaard’s death deemed accidental … Blackhawks sign a backup … Red Wings won’t be spenders … No talks yet for Parise

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 21st, 2011

  • Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: It has been determined that Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard died accidentally from a toxic mix of alcohol and oxycodone. His family acknowledged he had an addiction and “repeated courageous attempts at rehabilitation.” “Derek had been showing tremendous improvement but was ultimately unable to beat this opponent,” the message from Boogaard’s parents, Len and Joanne, and brothers and sister said. “While he played and lived with pain for many years, his passion for the game, his teammates and his community work was unstoppable.” Boogaard had voluntarily admitted himself into rehab 3 times since 2009.
  • Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: The Blackhawks have reportedly signed goal Alexander Salak to a 2 year, one way contract. Salak was acquired along with Michael Frolik for Jack Skille and prospects. He played in the Swedish Elite league this past season, appearing in 32 games with a 1.97 GAA and .926 SV%. He’ll make about $600,000 and is in the mix for the backup job. Marty Truco is likely gone.
  • Gord Miller via twitter: Winnipeg mayor says it’s only a  “matter of time” before  a deal to move the Thrashers to Winnipeg is done, it’s not done yet. Darren Dreger via twitter: “Assuming ASG and TNSE reach agreement, NHL board approval may not happen until the end of June B of G mtng. No push to expedite that mtng.” Pierre LeBrun via twitter: “Re-alignment would very likely wait another season; Winnipeg would play in Southeast for one year”
  • Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Don’t look for the Red Wings to be big spenders this off-season. They currently have 15 players locked up for $46.8 million. So they have about $16 million open for 8 players and have 4 free agents; Nicklas Lidstrom, Jonathan Ericsson, Patrick  Eaves and Drew Miller that they’d like to bring back.
  • Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: The NY Rangers will have to decide if Matt Gilroy is worth a $2.1 million qualifying offer. It may be more than they want to pay the 27 year old who has made a limited impact so far. They have depth along the blueline, prospects waiting a limited cap space.
  • Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: There is nothing to report on Zach Parise talks with the Devils. “(Lamoriello) said they were going to have their internal (end of season) meetings and he was awaiting some direction on the whole ownership situation and once he had that he would reach out to us,” Wade Arnott said. “So, that’s where we stand.”
  • Craig Custance of the Sporting News: The Panthers have received permission to talk to Thrashers assistant John Torchetti. They may also seek permission to talk with Blackhawks assistant Mike Haviland. Kirk Muller is a potential candidate for the Dallas Stars coaching position. Joe Nieuwendyk has also reportedly contacted Guy Carbonneau, Cory Clouston and Ken Hitchcock.

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The Blackhawks make a trade with the Panthers

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Trades on February 9th, 2011

Chris Kuc via twitter: The Chicago Blackhawks have traded Jack Skille, Hugh Jessiman and David Pacan to the Florida Panthers for Michael Frolik and goalie Alexander Salak.

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