Posts Tagged Chicago Blackhawks

Morning notes: Sedin, Hall, Horcoff, Sutton, Gagne, Parise, Harding, Spurgeon, Backstrom, Vokoun, Zuccarello and Keith suspension video

  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers Taylor Hall has been off the ice for the last 2 days. He won’t play on Sunday. Captain Shawn Horcoff left last night’s game with a sore back. Defenseman Andy Sutton has a minor knee issue.
  • Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider: Kings Simon Gagne has been out since December 26th with a concussion, continues to skate but hasn’t practiced and won’t travel with the team on their 4 game road trip. If he’s not cleared for practice soon, the chances of him playing this year are not high. When asked if Gagne will play again this year, GM Dean Lombardi said “Doubt it.”
  • The Fouth Period: It’s believed the Wild will try to sign Zach Parise this offseason if he’s not re-signed by the Devils before July 1st. Goalie Josh Harding is expected to test the open market and is not likely back with the Wild. The Lightning, Maple Leafs, Blue Jackets and Senators could take a look at Harding.
  • Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post: Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun skated yesterday for 30 minutes and took some shots.

    “Hopefully it stays the same and I can do a little bit more tomorrow,” Vokoun said after an extremely sparsely attending morning skate. “Then we’ll see, maybe shoot for some time next week.”

  • Mark Stepneski via twitter: Kari Lehtonen will start in net for the Stars tonight.
  • Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith was suspended for 5 games for his elbow on Canucks Daniel Sedin.

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Keith waives in-person hearing … Tarasenko ready for NHL … Bettman ready for CBA talks … Howard back next week … Starting goalies

  • Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Blackhawks Duncan Keith waived his right for the in-person hearing. Will do over the phone at 2 PM EST.
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Vladimir Tarasenko’s Russian agent told SovSport that Tarasenko “is ready for the NHL…both physically and mentally.” … But Chesnokov wonders if he’ll come over.
  • AP in the Sporting News: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said they are ready to start CBA talks:

    “That’s something that we’re relying on the union for right now,” Bettman said of the timing on talks. “We’ve been ready to go for months but there’s a new executive director and he’s getting up to speed, meeting with his constituents and when the union’s ready, then we’ll start.”

    NHLPA spokesman Jonathan Weatherdon from an email statement:

    “At our request, the NHL recently supplied the NHLPA with some initial financial information that we are currently reviewing,” Weatherdon said. “While we do not have a set date for formal negotiations to begin, we expect negotiations will begin when we have players available to participate in bargaining sessions.”

  • Rob Mixer via twitter: Cam Ward is the likely starter for the Hurricanes tonight against the Blue Jackets.

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Afternoon notes: Sedin, Keith, Radulov, Maple Leafs, Hall, Zajac, Toews, Lupul … Lines and starting goalies

  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Blackhawks don’t play until Sunday so there is no rush for Duncan Keith’s disciplinary hearing. Likely to happen tomorrow. It’s expected to be a phone hearing, so if there is a suspension it will be 5 games or less.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: The Maple Leafs will add 3 forwards (1 top 6 and 2 depth guys) plus a goalie this summer. Burke can’t mortgage the future to get them.
  • Mark Spector via twitter: Taylor Hall didn’t skate this morning. Coach Tom Renney, “Not sure it’s a setback. It’s a concussion.”
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Travis Zajac is under the impression that he won’t play on Friday but added, “closer, but not close enough.”
  • Kevin McGran via twitter: Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul admits it’s “a bit of a stretch” for him to return this year.
  • Jonas Siegel via twitter: Maple Leafs lines: Ashton-Bozak-Kessel. MacArthur-Grabovski-Frattin. Crabb-Steckel-Connolly. Rosehill-Lombardi-Armstrong.
  • Marc Antoine Godin via twitter: Canadiens lines: Pacioretty-Desharnais-Cole,Eller-Plekanec-Bourque,White-Leblanc-Blunden, Staubitz-Geoffrion-Palushaj.

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Doan gets 3 game suspension …. Keith should get more

Coyotes Shane Doan was suspended for 3 games for his elbow to Stars Jamie Benn.

Blackhawks Duncan Keith will be up for suspension after elbowing Canucks Daniel Sedin.

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Sunday morning notes: Canadiens, Sharks, Leafs, Kings, Wild, Blue Jackets, Red Wings, Blues and Blackhawks

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Whoever is the GM of the Canadiens this summer will be in charge of re-signing RFA goalie Carey Price. He could be getting a deal in the $5.5 million to $6 million range. Senators Erik Karlsson is also a RFA and could get a deal in the $5.5 to $7 million range. Predators Shea Weber is also a RFA this year. Pierre McGuire is a name to keep an eye on as candidate for the Canadiens GM job if it opens up. Garrioch wonders if the Sharks would trade one of Joe Thornton of Patrick Marleau if they miss the playoffs. Many wonder if Leafs Joffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel will thrive under new coach Randy Carlyle. Some people think Zach Parise could land in LA on July 1st, but with Lombardi possibly panicing and making the Carter for Johnson deal, it may have lessened their chances. The Wild have emerged as the favorites. Garrioch wonders if the Leafs would take a shot at Roberto Luongo this summer. Apparently if Scott Howson is still the GM of the Blue Jackets, he plans on drafting Filip Forsberg with the #1 pick ahead of Nail Yakupov.
  • Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: One league executive on the Blue Jackets if they win the draft lottery,

    “They can’t pick a Russian so they can’t use the pick,” … “They’ll have to trade it.”

    Along with trading Rick Nash, their options are:

    1) They could keep the pick and not choose Yakupov, which would be counter-productive; 2) They could flip picks with another team, trading the first choice for another early choice, and getting an asset as well; 3) They could trade the pick to the highest bidder and begin rebuilding their team.

    If Ducks college prospect Justin Schultz becomes a free agent, they Leafs will likely chase him again. They were interested in him when talking with the Ducks about Francois Beauchemin.

  • Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News: Red Wings forward Johan Franzen is out indefinitely with a bad back. Dan Cleary has also been dealing with pain in his knee since Dec. 1st, and will need to have surgery again at some point. Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson’s wrist is healing quick, but he’s still scheduled to return late this month. Joey MacDonald will have an MRI on his back when he gets back to Detroit.
  • Derrick Goold of St. Louis Post Dispatch: Blues coach Ken Hitchcock hass told Jason Arnott to take a week off.

    “When I watched him play (last week), I saw a guy who was protecting himself on the ice and to me he was going out of the way to get out of the way,” Hitchcock said Saturday. “I felt like there was going to be a further injury. I could see how banged up he was. … We needed to get a better player on the ice.”

    Hitchcock isn’t sure if Andy McDonald will join the team on their road trip.

  • Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune: Wild Mikko Koivu has been practicing the last couple days and is close to returning. “He is getting very close,” Yeo said. “But again, after talking with the doctors, we all felt it was best to hold him off for a couple more games.”
  • Tracey Myers of CSNChicago: Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews hasn’t skated in 4 days. Coach Joel Quenneville,

    “The process, I’m sure in his mind, is not a fun thing to be dealing with. You want to be optimistic; there was that stretch there where he was getting close. There’s hope, and that’re we’re at.s whe”

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Suter talks Radulov … Leafs inclined to keep 1st … Toews’ concussion … Lidstrom out a week … Wild injury update … MacDonald hurts shoulder

  • Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators defesneman Ryan Suter on the possible return of Alexander Radulov.

    “It takes away from the guys we have on the team when we talk about other guys coming in, and guys who have been here all year and worked hard all year,” defenseman Ryan Suter said. “It’s going to be a fine line we’re going to have to walk if he does come back.”

  • James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke on their 1st round pick:

    “[We’re] inclined to keep the pick,” Burke said, “but listening [to offers] already.”

  • Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville used the word “setback” when talking about Jonathan Toews’ concussion. Toews had skated for 4 straight days, rested for 2, skated Wednesday and took yesterday off.

    “Whether it’s a setback or it’s part of the process, that’s what we’re dealing with,” Quenneville said. “It’s a concern. You miss a guy like that.”

  • Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News: Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom will be out for at least another week. Pavel Datsyuk is still waiting to test his knee after having arthroscopic surgery 24 days ago.
  • Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune: Wild center Mikko Koivu has been cleared for contact and practiced yesterday without a no-contact jersey for the first time. Koivu has been out for the last 13 games games with a shoulder injury. He’ll practice again today, and they’ll determine then when he’ll return. There is a chance he’ll return on Saturday against the Hurricanes. Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom took the full practice yesterday. “He looked really good,” Yeo said. “If he got sore or tired, he was told to back off and to give it a rest. But he didn’t do that, which is obviously a good sign.” They’ll make a decision after practice on both Josh Harding and Backstrom. If both are 100%, Matt Hackett will be sent back to Houston. Defenseman Justin Falk, out with a lower body injury, is close to returning to practice.

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Afternoon notes on: 2 College FAs, Backstrom, Kulemin, Zajac, Toews, Leafs lines and starting goalies

  • David Alter via twitter: The Maple Leafs will go with 7 defenseman tonight. Jay Rosehill will be a scratch. Expected Leafs lines: MacArthur-Bozak-Kessel, Ashton-Grabovski-Frattin,Connolly-Steckel-Crabb, Rosehill-Lombardi-Armstrong.

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Morning notes on: Kessel, Crosby, Letang, Lidstrom, Kuznetsov, Gerbe, Nash, Selanne, Gomez and Toews

  • Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Cox doesn’t think Phil Kessel fits with the Maple Leafs. Despite his ability to score 30 goals,

    “He’s no leader on a team still developing internal leadership. He’s not combative or a fierce adversary. He doesn’t bring size to the equation or pluck or two-way excellence.”

    Cox thinks the Leafs should look at trading Kessel. He has a $5.4 million cap hit, and will get a $5.1 million salary next year and $5.4 million in the last year of his deal.

  • Helene St. James via twitter: Red Wings Nicklas Lidstrom suffered a bit of a setback. At yesterdays’ morning skate,

    “I was more sore today when I skated, so that’s why I was out there for just a few minutes. It was more sore today.” He has a deep bone bruise and there is still some swelling, no fracture.

    On shutting things down for a bit:

    “We’ve talked about it,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll talk more to the coaching staff and see what the next step will be, but it’s still day-to-day. It’s discouraging that I haven’t started feeling better, as it’s going on two weeks now.”

  • John Vogl via twitter: Sabres Nathan Gerbe was scratched from last night’s game with upper-body injury.
  • Jim Matheson via twitter: A veteran pro scout on Blue Jackets Rick Nash, he loves his skill but “Does he make other people around him better?”
  • Derek van Diest of the Toronto Sun: Blue Jackets Rick Nash won’t talk about his trade request and why he wanted out of Columbus.Defenseman James Wisniewski on how it is has been in the dressing room after Nash’s request came out last month,

    “Our job is to go out there and play hockey,” said Blue Jackets defenceman James Wisniewski. “We go out there to try and win hockey games. What happened behind the scene is his personal business and we support him as a person and as a player.”

  • Jeff Miller of the OC Register: Jari Kurri thinks that Teemu Selanne should keep playing,

    “Everybody’s really happy with what he’s doing,” Jari Kurri said. “Keep going. Why stop now?”

    “I’m hoping he keeps playing,” Kurri said. “Why stop? I know he wants to win. He wants to do well and he’s playing well. I don’t see any reason for him to stop.”

  • Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens forward Scott Gomez will miss some time with a concussion. Gomez suffered the injury when he was hit by Sabres Tyler Myers, who was suspended for 3 games.
  • Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: (written on Tuesday) Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville on Jonathan Toews:

    “it’s part of the process. Some days are better than others, but he knows his body and we’ll see how he is. Hopefully, we’ll get him back on the ice (Wednesday) and things progress.”

    “Jonathan was excited when he was skating,” Quenneville said. “He’s still looking forward to getting back. Hopefully, it’s going to be soon.

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Injury notes for Sabres, Canadiens, Flyers, Sharks, Blues and Stars … Video of hybrid icing rule that GMs are discussing

  • Mike Harrington via twitter: Tomas Vanek and Patrick Kaleta are back in. Matt Ellis has a knee injury, not sure if season ending. Andrej Sekera has pneumonia and it’s getting worse.
  • Tim Panaccio via twitter: Flyers forward Jakub Voracek hopes to play tomorrow. Defenseman Pavel Kubina on his injury: “hoping its not serious and just a few days more.”
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: In addition to Vladimir Tarasenko’s KHL contract, he’s getting a special “stipend” that equals NHL entry level contract.
  • David Alter via twitter: Maple Leafs lines: Connolly-Bozak-Kessel, MacArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin, Ashton-Steckel-Crabb, Frattin-Lombardi-Armstrong-Rosehill.
  • Link to the video was posted by Elliotte Friedman describing the hybrid icing rule that GMs are discussing

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Crosby not returning today … Toews hopes for Tuesday … Souray 50-50 for Tuesday … Thorburn out 3 weeks … Brodie out with UBI

  • Pittsburgh Penguins via twitter: Sidney Crosby won’t play today. He doesn’t have symptoms or had any setbacks. Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Crosby on his return, “Hopefully, it’s soon.” When asked if Thursday against the Rangers was possible, “That’s soon, so we’ll see.” Crosby added:

    “A good amount of contact is the biggest test right now, so, hopefully, the next few days with the practices we have I can really get a good idea of where I’m at and go from there,” Crosby said. “I’ve been really happy with the way I’ve felt leading up to this point.”

  • Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins defenseman Deryk Engelland and Kris Letang practiced yesterday. Engelland is out with a lower-body injury and hopes to return on Thursday. Letang practiced with the team as no other ice was available for him. He didn’t take any contact.
  • Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Blackhawks Jonathan Toews hopes to return on Tuesday, but he hasn’t been cleared for contact yet.

    I’d love to be in on Tuesday, but again, I just have to focus on this afternoon and getting a good rest tonight and worrying about those little things right now, the way I have been, just taking it one step at a time,” Toews said. “Hopefully, it’s going to be sooner than later at his point.”

    “I think so. I keep telling myself that,” Toews said. “If you can shoot for a date like that, even if it’s early, obviously you feel like you’re improving and you’re making strides and notice a difference. This past week I was hoping for Sunday and now I realize that’s not going to happen. We’ll shoot for [Tuesday].

    “But again, I’m going to tell you guys [the media] the same thing every day. I’ll just take it day by day and it what happens.”

  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars defenseman Sheldon Souray is listed as 50-50 to play on Tuesday. Souray suffered a lower body injury on Thursday and sat out yesterday’s game.
  • Dave Hilson of the Toronto Sun: Jonas Gustavsson doesn’t have many starts remaining to show his bosses they should keep him around beyond the season. Coach Randy Carlyle yesterday morning after:

    “I had to go by statistics and … everybody said Jonas Gustavsson has been the better of the two in performance, that’s what they told me.”

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Afternoon notes involving: Toews, Hjalmarsson, Radulov, Vanek, Ruutu, Brown, Morrow, Desharnais, Leafs lines and starting goalies

  • Chris Kuc via twitter: Blackhawks Jonathan Toews: “No one else can tell me how I feel. It’s up to me to be honest with myself and be smart about it.” There is no timetable for Toews return. Niklas Hjalmarsson will be back in the lineup tonight.
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Alexander Radulov’s KHL team is out of the playoffs. Radulov wouldn’t comment on if he’s staying in Ufa.
  • John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Sabres Tomas Vanek left last night’s game with an upper-body injury in the 3rd period. It’s not a head issue according to Lindy Ruff.
  • Terry Koshan via twitter: Maple Leafs forward Mike Brown will be out 7-10 days with a thigh contusion. Colby Armstrong and Cody Franson are ready to go.
  • Montreal Gazette: Canadiens David Desharnais suffered a lower body injury in the 1st period, had one shift in the 2nd, and didn’t return for the 3rd.
  • David Alter via twitter: Maple Leafs lines: Connolly-Bozak-Kessel, MacArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin, Ashton-Steckel-Crabb, Rosehill-Lombardi-Frattin-Armstrong.

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Fantasy Hockey notes: Duchene, Tyutin, Toews, Dubinsky, Anderson, Morrow, Nyquist, Ponikarovsky and starting goalies

  • Ian Mendes via twitter: Senators goalie Craig Anderson was on the ice before the Sens practice this morning. He was able to carry a goal stick.
  • Mike Heika via twitter: Stars lines: Eriksson-Ribeiro-Ryder. Ott-Benn-Burish. Nystrom-Fiddler-Dvorak. Garbutt-Wandell-Vincour. vs. Sharks.

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GMs on the hotseat … Trades that didn’t happen … Injury notes on Toews, Gomez, Hedman, Bogosian, and Vokoun … Cherry goes off on Burke (video)

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: A couple GMs who could be under the gun this offseason: Scott Howson, Pierre Gauthier, George McPhee, Brian Burke, and Dean Lombardi. The Sharks might be willing to trade Joe Pavelski, prospects and picks for Rick Nash after the season. A Nash to Rangers deal didn’t happen because they wouldn’t include Chris Kreider. The Bruins and Blackhawks tried to get Sheldon Souray at the deadline. The Avalanche and Canucks tried to get Steve Ott. The Flyers were close to trading Sergei Bobrovsky, but decided against it due to Ilya Bryzgalov’s inconsistent play. The Lightning, Maple Leafs and Blackhawks were looking for goaltending. Flyers winger James van Riemsdyk was almost traded at the deadline. Sources say that 3 or 4 teams were bidding for him, including the Maple Leafs. The Ducks would have moved Teemu Selanne, but he didn’t want to go anywhere. The Rangers, Sharks, Bruins and Kings were interested. Sergei Gonchar could be moved in the offseason.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Predators weren’t shopping goalie Anders Lindback at the deadline, but he could be moved after the season. They could get a 2nd round pick at the draft.
  • Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Jonathan Toews has missed 6 games with a concussion, and will be out at least 2 more. He hasn’t started skating again, but has done some off-ice workout. There is a chance defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (concussion symptoms) plays on Tuesday.
  • Toronto Sun: Canadiens forward Scott Gomez suffered an eye injury in the 3rd period against Minnesota the other night and is out indefinitely. He may have played his last game in a Canadiens uniform. There is the outside chance that he’s traded (2 years left on contract, $7.3 million cap hit), but it’s more likely he’ll be bought out or buried in the AHL. If he’s bought out, he’d have about a $1.6 million cap hit for the next 4 years.
  • Ira Haufman of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman missed his 4th straight game with an upper-body injury, but he’s expected to practice this week, and could be cleared to play for Tuesday. Their trainer said it is not a concussion.
  • Don Cherry’s Coaches Corner: Cherry goes off Brian Burke’s lack of Ontario players on the Maple Leafs roster.

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Letang has concussion symptoms … Lidstrom uncertain for Friday … lines and starting goalies … Roenick and Milbury battle video

  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Bruins Brian Rolston hasn’t decided if he’ll play next year or not. He talks like he’ll be retiring.
  • Ansar Khan via twitter: Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom didn’t practice and his status for Friday is uncertain. Kyle Quincey skates.
  • Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov: “I need to be ready 100 % mentally and physically before I play.” They are not sure if he’ll play this season.
  • Helene Elliott via twitter: Lines at Kings practice: King-Richards-Carter; Brown-Williams-Kopitar; Stoll C for Penner/Lewis/Westgarth; Fraser C for nolan/Clifford/Richardson.
  • Roger Millions via twitter: Coyotes lines: “Whitney Hanzel Vrbata-Boedker Vermette Doan-Pyatt Gordon Korpikowski-Torres langkow Bissonette.”
  • Roger Millions via twitter: Flames lines: “Bouma Horak Jackman-Tanguay cammalleri Iginla-Glencross Jokinen Moss-Kostopoulos Stajan Comeau.” Defensive pairing and goalie: Giordano Hannan-Smith Bouwmeester-Brodie Sarich … Kiprusoff .
  • Jeremy Roenick and Mike Milbury battle it out last night:

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

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Stars considered offers for Ott and Souray … Preds offer for Nash didn’t include Ellis … Grabovski’s agent in T.O. next week … starting goalies

  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk had some offers that they strongly considered for Steve Ott and Sheldon Souray.

    “I would say there were a couple of things on the table that took a lot of time to sort through,” Nieuwendyk said. “But at the end of the day, we had a responsibility to put the best team on the ice right now to challenge for the playoffs and we didn’t want to risk moving anything that would not help us as far as the return moving into the future.”

  • Elliotte Friedman of CBC: Nashville’s big pitch for Rick Nash did not include Ryan Ellis. One GM thought the Sharks could have had a deal for Nash if they still had Charlie Coyle. The Leafs and Flyers sniffed around Josh Harding. Some teams thought Steve Ott was destined for the Maple Leafs, but the Stars changed their minds.
  • Andy Strickland via twitter: Sources are saying that the Stars wanted a 2nd round pick, a high end prospect and a roster player for Steve Ott. They also wanted a 2nd round pick and high end prospects for Sheldon Souray. The Islanders continue to have talks with Evgeni Navokov. They have had no contract discussions with P.A. Parenteauf as of yesterday afternoon.
  • Mark Masters of TSN: Mikhail Grabovski’s agent said he plans on being in Toronto next week, and said ‘I believe that I will have some news for you’
  • Mark Stepneski via twitter: Stars lines: Ott-Benn-Burish; Eriksson-Ribeiro-Ryder; Nystrom-Fiddler-Dvorak; Garbutt-Wandell-Vincour.
  • Chuck Gormley via twitter: Capitals starting goalie will be a game time decision according to Dale Hunter. Gormley guesses Neuvirth.

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Possibly Blackhawks targets … Nothing Pens as of yesterday afternoon … Leafs that could be traded … Habs looking at future

  • Adam Jahns via twitter: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman should be one of the busiest GMs today. A source said that Bowman has talked with the Capitals and Lightning recently. The ‘Hawks are looking for a defenseman, possibly Roman Hamrlik (WAS) and Chris Campoli (MON). At center, Sabres Derek Roy and Paul Gaustad are options. Nikolai Khabibulin and Josh Harding could be options if they decide not to stick with Crawford and Emery.
  • Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Ray Shero during the first intermission of yesterday’s game:

    “Right now there’s no deal out there for me that makes any sense. People speculate that we will add salary, but if there’s nothing there then it doesn’t make any sense for me whether it’s for this year or moving forward.”

    On Sidney Crosby returning or not: “I hope he will be back,” Shero said. “There’s no guarantee of that, but I’m hopeful that will happen.” Shero is not looking for a backup goalie.

  • James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Mirtle lists some players that the Maple Leafs could move today and chance the of being dealt: Luke Schenn (30%), Mikhail Grabovski (25%), Colby Armstrong (15%), Nazem Kadri (5%), Clarke MacArthur (5%), Mike Komisarek (2%) and Jake Gardiner (0%).
  • James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Leafs coach Ron Wilson would love some help in net, but asking prices for replacements is sky high. Adding a stop goalie may not be reasonable for Burke. Mirtle wonders if the Leafs should try to move out the contracts of Tim Connolly, Matt Lombardi and Colby Armstrong. He also wonders if they could sell off under-performers and redo their offensive and defensive depth at the draft or free agency.
  • Red Fisher of the Montreal Gazette: It’s unlikely the Canadiens will do anything to fix their sinking ship. GM Pierre Gauthier will be looking at moves for their future.

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Morning rumors involving: Maple Leafs, Wild, Sabres, Islanders, Blackhawks, Hurricanes, Stars, Red Wings and Predators

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Maple Leafs, Penguins and Senators are checking out the goalie market.The Pens and Sens are looking for depth, and have shown interest in Josh Harding. The Wild are looking for a top pick and prospect. The Leafs have talked to the Islanders about Evgeni Nabokov, but GM Garth Snow is saying he won’t be moved. There is plenty of interest in Sabres Derek Roy. The Leafs, Canadiens, Blackhawks and Kings were interested in Antoine Vermette before he was dealt to Phoenix. The Canadiens could be open to trading center Tomas Plekanec. The Islanders want to wait until after today’s game to decide whether they are buyers or sellers. P.A. Parenteau is interested in re-signing with the Islanders, but the Senators, Blackhawks, Bruins and Maple Leafs have shown interest in him. If the Hurricanes are able to re-sign Bryan Allen, they may move Jaroslav Spacek. It’s sounding like Steve Ott won’t be moved, Canucks and Leafs interested. Looking like Mike Ribeiro could be moved.
  • The Fourth Period: One league executive is saying the Maple Leafs are looking to add 2 top 6 forwards, which may result in the Leafs dealing Mikhail Grabovski. It’s looking unlikely that he’ll be re-signing with the Leafs before the deadline. The Leafs have been offered a 2nd and a prospect. The Leafs are also eyeing Steve Ott, James van Riemsdyk and Paul Stastny.
  • Arthur Staple via twitter: The Islanders have a couple inquiries on Brian Rolston, so it won’t be a surprise if he gets claimed off waivers.
  • Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock likes his roster, but realizes you can’t have enough depth up front.

    “We’re all focused on if we can improve our team,” Babcock said. “At the same time, we like our team. If there’s something there that can help us and makes sense, then that’s a great thing.

    “Change just to change isn’t going to be the approach. We’ve already done a good job in giving ourselves depth on the back end (by acquiring defenseman Kyle Quincey on Tuesday). We want to get healthy up front, but if there’s something available to make us better, we’d like to acquire that.”

    A list of players could include: Travis Moen, Paul Gaustad, Sammy Pahlsson, Steve Ott, Mike Knuble and Mikael Samuelsson.

  • Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators GM David Poile:

    “This trading deadline is not setting up anywhere near the same, in my memory, as past trading deadline,” Poile said. “Now we have more situations where more teams are in the playoffs or ‘I’m two points out of the playoffs … I’m not sure If I’m a buyer or a seller.’ What we know for sure is how close the standings are and it’s really hard to identify very many sellers at this point.”

    The Predators continue to look for a forward.

    “We certainly could use more depth on our forwards,” Poile said. “You talk two things, a higher-end deal for a top-six or top-nine forward or you talk about your depth.”

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Morning rumors involving: Ott, Mason, Boyes, Avalanche, Blackhawks, Stars, Sabres, Selanne, and Bernier

Nick Kypreos via twitter: The Maple Leafs, Flyers and Canucks have heavy interest in Steve Ott. The Flyers are reluctant to move James van Riemsdyk.

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Avalanche Milan Hejduk and Paul Stastny aren’t going anywhere. David Jones, Cody McLeod and T.J. Galiardi are in play. The Blues were interested in Capitals Roman Hamrlik last summer, and could be interested now. Source saying that one team has an offer in for Steve Mason, who still has a year left on his contract at $3.2 million. The Bruins could look at Mike Knuble with the injuries to Nathan Horton and Rich Peverley. The Sabres would love to move Brad Boyes, but he’s owed $4 million next season.

Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: The Blackhawks continue to look for defensive help.

John Shannon via twitter: Dallas “listening to everything about almost everybody over the age of 27.”

David Pagnotta via twitter: There is still talk going on surrounding Sabres Jason Pominville, Derek Roy and Drew Stafford.

Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Ducks GM Bob Murray: “For the last time, Teemu is not going anywhere,”

John Shannon via twitter: Told that the chances of Evgeni Nabokov re-signing is 50-50.

Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Jonathan Bernier has not asked for a trade. He desparately wants to start, and was unhappy that he wasn’t starting in back to backs.

HNIC Hotstove link: Panel discussing trade deadline (see last nights post for some points that were made if you don’t want to watch the video)

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Kings discussing Bernier and Brown … Teams in on Ott … Leafs have a bunch going on … Nabokov-Isles talking … Anderson cuts hand

  • Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bob McKenzie said that Kings are in trade discussions involving Jonathan Bernier and Dustin Brown, though nothing is close.
  • Nick Kypreos via twitter: There is plenty of talk involving Stars Steve Ott. Teams that are showing interest: Canucks, Leafs and Flyers, but the Stars want a significant piece back. Todd Cordell via twitter: McKenzie said on TSN 1050 that the Canucks are “big time in on Steve Ott.”
  • Todd Cordell via twitter: Leafs GM Brian Burke on NHL Home Ice: “We’ve got a bunch of stuff going but nothing that feels imminent, no.”
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: Islanders GM Garth Snow and Evgeni Nabokov’s agent, Don Meehan, spoke today and will meet again. Nothing imminent.

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Twitter notes: Ott, Hemsky, Nabokov, Spacek, Radulov, Wisniewski, Wallace, Bertuzzi … Stars, Oilers, and Devils lines … starting goalies

  • Tracey Myers via twitter: Stars forward Steve Ott on trade rumors: “It’s a compliment if teams are calling and asking for u but it’s nervewracking b/c you’ve been here for a long time.”
  • Jason Gregor via twitter: Gregor is hearing that Oilers forward Ales Hemsky would consider a 2 year deal at $10 – $11 million.
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: KHL’s Salavat pursuing Kuznetsov implies that Alex Radulov will leave for the NHL this summer. Chesnokov via twitter: (responding to my question) Alexander Radulov won’t return to the NHL this season, as he is set to play for Russia at the World Championships after the KHL season ends.
  • Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski is projected to be in the lineup tomorrow against the Avalanche.
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: Todd Bertuzzi’s 2 year contract: $1.975 million next year, $2.175 million the following year. $2.075 million cap hit.
  • Mike Heika via twitter: Stars lines: Eriksson-Ribeiro-Ryder. Ott-Wandell-Vincour. Nostrum-Fiddler-Dvorak. Petersen-Garbutt-Burish.
  • Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers lines: Hall-Horcoff-Hemsky, Smyth-Gagner-Eberle, Paajarvi-Belanger-Eager and Hordichuk-Lander-Petrell.
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils lines: Parise-Henrique-Kovalchuk; Sykora-Elias-Clarkson; Ponikarovsky-Zubrus-Bernier; Carter-Josefson-Palmieri; Boulton-Veilleux-Janssen.
  • Iain MacIntyre via twitter: Roberto Luongo will start in net against the Red Wings. Cory Schneider will start on Friday against the Devils.

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