Posts Tagged David Backes

Roster notes, lines, goalies: Sulzer, Miller, Giguere, Backes, Devils, Senators, Leafs, Stars, Oilers PP, Flyers, Bruins and Blue Jackets

Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL News, NHL Starting Goalies on February 15th, 2013

  • Steve Zipay via twitter: Rangers Chris Kreider is being returned to the CT Whalers of the AHL. Looks like J.T. Miller is sticking with the team.
  • Adrian Dater via twitter: Avalanche goalie J.S. Giguere has left the team for personal reason. He’ll return on Sunday. Calvin Pickard has been recalled.
  • Jeremy Rutherford via twitter: Blues David Backes has a groin strain: ”We’ll see how it goes hour to hour. Hopefully I can play tonight. I think it passed the test.”
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils lines: Ponikarovsky-Zajac-Kovalchuk; Elias-Henrique-Clarkson; Carter-Gionta-Bernier; Matteau/Barch-Josefson-Butler.
  • Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Senators lines: Condra-Turris-Silfverberg, Zibanejad-Da Costa-Alfredsson, Daugavins-Smith-Neil, Dziurzynski-Grant-O’Brien. Greening is the extra skater. Defensive pairings: Gryba-Methot, Wiercioch-Phillips, Lundin-Gonchar are defence pairings.
  • David Alter via twitter: Maple Leafs lines: JVR-Bozak-Kessel, McClement-Grabovski-Kulemin, MacArthur-Kadri-Komarov, Orr-Steckel-McLaren-Brown.
  • Roger Millions via twitter: Probable Blues lines: Blues Perron Backes Oshie-Schwartz Berglund Stewart -McDonald Steen Tarasenko-Sobotka Nicol Reeves.
  • Mike Heika via twitter: Stars lines: Morrow-Benn-Jagr, Smith-Roy-Eriksson, Roussel-Eakin-Ryder, Nystrom-Fiddler-Garbutt.
  • Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers powerplay: Smyth-Gagner-Yakupov-Eberle-Whitney + Hall-RNH-Hartikainen-Hemsky-Potter.

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Meeting starts at 2 this afternoon … Methot says ego’s are keeping sides apart

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on December 4th, 2012

  • Darren Dreger via twitter: There could be as many as 25 players in New York, with likely 10 attending the meeting. The NHL isn’t concerned about the number of players.
  • Damian Cristodero via twitter: Martin St. Louis will be in New York, but not sure if he’ll be in the meetings. He’s not sounding that optimistic that these meetings will make a difference, ”I have no hope or expectations at this point,” he texted.
  • Kevin McGran via twitter: A labour negotiator told McGran that the ‘player-owner’ meeting is a big mistake on the union side of things. Players will be overmatched.
  • Andy Strickland via twitter: There are some suggestions that the NHLPA would give in on “make whole” if the owners would give in on contract rights and proposed pension.
  • Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Senators Marc Methot,

    “I don’t think (we’re that far apart),” said Methot. “I think ego is a big thing right now that is keeping us apart. You’ve got some serious issues that have been resolved and now it’s just a matter of putting your ego aside and coming to a sound deal that is obviously fair and not to over the top for both sides.

    “I’m not saying you’re never going to have (egos) in the room. You’ve got big personalities. You’ve got successful people. It’s inevitable. I don’t care who you are. When you’re in that position, you’re going to have a sense of entitlement for certain things. You can’t control that.”

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Sides trade offers, but still a ways to go

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on November 9th, 2012

  • Chris Johnston via twitter: The NHLPA made offers on both revenue sharing and the players share/make whole on Wednesday night. Michael Russo via twitter: The NHL believed that the NHLPA would go to 50-50 and negotiate the “make whole.” The NHLPA again countered with gradually going to 50-50. Pierre LeBrun via twitter: The NHLPA’s offer would see players get to 50-50 of HRR in year 3. Bruce Garrioch via twitter: The NHL is not interested in getting to 50-50 in year 3, which is why they made the ‘make whole’ provision now.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: This morning Dreger said that the NHL presented an offer to the NHLPA in response to to the PA’s offer on Wednesday. There is still a large gap.
  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The NHLPA felt in their offer, that because they went from 57% to 50%, they didn’t feel they had to give back in a lot of other areas. The NHL responded with an offer on both revenue sharing and ‘make whole,” honoring all existing player contracts. A source said the NHLPA wasn’t impressed by it. The NHL’s offer also included some player contract issues, and increased their revenue share model to $200 million. After their meeting, both sides went their separate ways for internal meetings.
  • James Mirtle via twitter: Under the NHLPA’s revenue share system, 6 teams would get a huge chunk of it: Coyotes, Islanders, Blue Jackets, Panthers, Predators and Hurricanes.
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: The NHLPA initially offered $240 million in revenue share in it’s initial proposal, the NHL offered $200 million. @mirtle said the NHLPA upped their number to $260 million in Wednesday’s offer.
  • John Shannon via twitter: Players at yesterday’s meetings: David Backes, Chris Campoli, Mathieu Darche, Ron Hainsey, Johan Hedberg,  Manny Malhotra and Kevin Westgarth.
  • Katie Strang via twitter: Gary Bettman: “I don’t know what Don said but the fact is, we have a lot of work to do and we’re working hard.”
  • Chris Johnston via twitter: Don Fehr: “I’m not going to characterize (talks) except to say that it’s always better when you’re meeting than when you’re not.”
  • Renaud Lavoie via twitter: After talking to 2 sources, Lavoie can say this: “We are not even close to a deal. NHL wants more concession from players … who are prepare to give 1 billion $ in 5 years. Not enough. NHL and PA are not close on make whole. Bottom line: lots of work to be done. The only good news, they are still talking and trying hard to find a solution on all the issues.”
  • Doug Maclean via twitter: The Board of Governors were sent a memo on Wednesday night from Bettman saying that if there was not traction yesterday, talks could breakdown. So it looks like there was some traction made yesterday.
  • John Shannon via twitter: Shannon was told that the NHL was not sure if there was any real traction made yesterday. They’ll wait for the NHLPA to respond on Friday.
  • Steve Zipay via twitter: Zipay noted yesterday that the next 24-48 hours will be tipping point if talks really move forward or slide sideways.

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NHL-NHLPA meet for 7 hours … Still a long way to go … Players who attended the meetings

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on November 7th, 2012

  • Chris Johnston (CP) in the Global News: The NHL and NHLPA met for about 7 hours yesterday, with the meeting wrapping up around 10:15 pm. Both sides didn’t want to say much about how things went.

    “With meetings scheduled to resume Wednesday, the league will not characterize the substance or detail of the discussions until their conclusion,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement on Tuesday night.

    Before the meeting started yesterday, Don Fehr had this to say:

    “We’re hopeful that we’ll start bargaining and we’ll continue bargaining until we find a way to make a deal,” he said.

    “It’s very good to be getting back to the table,” said Fehr. “We hope that this time it produces more progress that we’ve seen in the past and we can figure out a way to make an agreement and to get the game back on the ice as soon as possible.”

    The biggest issue has been how to ‘make whole.’ The NHL has said they will assume more liability in exchange for capping contracts at 5 years, entry-level deals at 2 years, and unrestricted free agency being at 28 years old or after 8 years of NHL service. The union isn’t a really fan of that.

  • Pierre LeBrun via twitter: LeBrun noted that it was good that the the meeting was long, but it’s dangerous to read to much into it. There is a lot of ground to cover. Bob McKenzie via twitter: Meeting for hours, not saying anything afterwards, and meeting today is probably the best thing that anyone could have hoped for.
  • NHLPA via twitter: Players who attended yesterday’s talks: Adams, Backes, Biron, Campoli, Crosby, Darche, Hainsey, Hedberg, Lucic, Malhotra, Montador, S. Thornton, and Westgarth.
  • Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Sidney Crosby and team player rep Craig Adams hadn’t planned on going to yesterday’s CBA meetings, but after the union conference call on Monday night, they changed their mind. Several Penguins thought the manner in which guaranteed contracts were going to be honored was the major stumbling block between the two sides.

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Daly, Fehr quotes after 2 weeks cancelled … NHLPA proposal coming? Players lose $180,000 … Lundqvist, Backes and Toews quotes

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on October 5th, 2012

  • TSN: After cancelling 2 weeks of games: Bill Daly

    “The game deserves better, the fans deserve better and the people who derive income from their connection to the NHL deserve better,” said deputy commissioner Bill Daly. “We remain committed to doing everything in our power to forge an agreement that is fair to the players, fair to the teams and good for our fans.”

    Donald Fehr,

    “If the owners truly cared about the game and the fans, they would lift the lockout and allow the season to begin on time while negotiations continue,” said Fehr. “A lockout should be the last resort in bargaining, not the strategy of first resort. For nearly 20 years, the owners have elected to lock-out the players in an effort to secure massive concessions.”

  • Dejan Kovacevic via Sulia: Bill Daly when asked how the league can cancel games while barely negotiating,

    “The Union is not prepared to talk about the most meaningful issues, relating to a fair division of League-wide revenues and other system-related matters. Until we can make progress in those areas, the ongoing discussions in other areas aren’t as time sensitive. That doesn’t mean we aren’t continuing to work on those other areas, or that we won’t schedule further meetings to move things along, it just means that until the PA is prepared to talk about the nature of the overall deal, and perhaps show some indication (any indication) that it is willing to compromise its position, we will remain a long way from getting a deal done.”

  • Pierre LeBrun via twitter: The NHL said not to assume that they will cancel games in 2 week chunks, will depend on temperature of bargaining talks.
  • Spector’s Hockey via twitter: Darren Dreger said on TSN that he thinks the NHLPA is working on a proposal, but the question would be when they present it. Dreger suggests presenting a proposal too early could be a “sign of weakness.”
  • Howard Berger via twitter: The NHL will only cancel 2 more 14 day segments before they will cancel the season. Won’t be any postponements after the U.S. Thanksgiving.
  • Allan Walsh via twitter: Cancelled games will cost the owners $114 million, on top of the $100 million from the preseason.
  • Henrik Lundqvist via twitter: “Feels like I’m going to practice without a purpose, and I hate it! Don and Gary, let’s figure this one out! #NHLHockey #theplayers #thefans”
  • Josh Rimer via twitter: David Backes on cancelling 2 weeks of games, “It is unfortunate that it has come to canceling regular season games, we were hoping that 900 million in concessions would be enough to a league with record growth and revenues. Since it isn’t, it might be a while.”
  • Josh Rimer via twitter: Jonathan Toews on cancelling 2 weeks of games, “it’s another disappointing but expected move from the league. This seems to be our commissioners bread and butter. It’s almost like he is excited to take away hockey from the fans and the players just because he can. Personally, I still haven’t heard a valid argument from the league for what they are doing, just that they want more and last time it wasn’t enough. If they would be as determined to solve these issues as they are quick to point the finger at us (the players), this would be settled by now. But they aren’t and now we know well miss at least two Weeks because of it.”

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Trade notes involving Rick Nash, Bobby Ryan and the St. Louis Blues

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 16th, 2012

  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Rick Nash trade talks have gone cold in recent days, and in 6 months, GM Scott Howson hasn’t come close on a deal.

    “There’s no timetable by which we have to make moves,” Howson said this week. “There are no deadlines. We’re going to continue to work at this. A trade with Rick will happen when we get the right value — when and if we get the right value.”

    A Nash deal may not be completed by the start of training camp, though it could be delayed due to the CBA situation. Nash could also chose to hold-out of camp.

  • NHL.com: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson told TSN that he would want established forwards in any Rick Nash trade.

    “If we do complete a trade, we’re trading out a 30- to 40-goal scorer,” Howson told TSN’s Gino Reda. “Defense is probably the strongest part of our team as we look at it today, so we’re looking to get some NHL forwards back first and foremost.”

    “We don’t have a deadline,” the GM said. “Rick’s under contract and we’ll continue to work at this, we’ll continue to keep Rick in the loop … and we’ll just hope that we get a resolution to this.”

  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Maybe Shane Doan or Alexander Semin signings, or a Bobby Ryan trade can nudge a Nash trade along. Maybe teams will wait until the new CBA is in place to see whether they can fit a $7.8 million salary cap hit for the next 6 years. If the salary cap it lowered by say $10 million, teams like the Bruins, Flyers, Penguins and Sharks may not be able to take on that contract. The Rangers currently have $15.1 million and the Red Wings have $16.8 million.
  • The Fourth Period: TFP period has learned that the Blues have been looking for a 2nd line scorer during free agency last week. They made a play for center Olli Jokinen before he signed with the Jets. With David Backes and Patrik Berglund at center, they could be aiming for a right winger. GM Doug Armstrong is exploring the trade market for a 2nd liner and a rugged defenseman.
  • The Fourth Period: The Ducks have had trade talks with several teams about Bobby Ryan, but nothing appears imminent. Teams include the Flyers, Hurricanes and Rangers. The Maple Leafs, Penguins, Canadiens, Bruins, Panthers and Sharks have also inquired. The Ducks would like a center in a deal, but is not a prerequisite. They are looking to increase their secondary scoring.

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Players who have taken the most boarding penalties: 2011-12 NHL Season

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on May 23rd, 2012

Next up in our look at 2011-12 penalties, are boarding leaders.

Prior lists are Charging, Fighting majors and total penalties.

Rk Player Team Pos
GP
PIM
Boarding
T1 Derek Dorsett Blue Jackets RW
77
235
5
Luca Sbisa Ducks D
80
66
5
T3 Bryan Bickell Blackhawks LW
71
48
4
Zack Smith Senators LW
81
98
4
Blake Geoffrion Canadiens LW
35
27
4
Jarret Stoll Kings C
78
60
4
Alex Burmistrov Jets C
76
42
4
T8 Cody McLeod Avalanche LW
75
164
3
Matt Martin Islanders LW
80
121
3
Chris Neil Senators RW
72
178
3
David Backes Blues C
82
101
3
Kyle Brodziak Wild C
82
66
3
Krys Barch Panthers RW
51
114
3
Eric Boulton Devils LW
51
115
3
Andy Sutton Oilers D
52
80
3
Brian Boyle Rangers C
82
59
3
Andrew Desjardins Sharks C
76
47
3
Warren Peters Wild C
58
54
3
Maxime Talbot Flyers C
81
59
3
Ryan Callahan Rangers RW
76
61
3
Bobby Ryan Ducks LW
82
53
3
T22 46 players are tied with 2 boarding penalties
Sources: Gus Katsaros (twitter) and CBSsports.

 

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Petrov, Mayorov sign in KHL … Preds still hope to re-sign Suter and Weber … Coaching notes for Sharks, Canadiens … 5 priorities for Sens

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 3rd, 2012

  • Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: The two 2011 Stanley Cup Finals goaltenders, Roberto Luongo and Tim Thomas, could find themselves on the trading block this summer. Luongo has given the Canucks a short list of teams he’s accept a trade too: possibly the Panthers, Lightning, Blackhawks and Maple Leafs. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has heard the rumors on Thomas:

    “I’ve seen speculation about moving a goalie, but I’m certainly not inclined to do that,” Chiarelli said.

    “Tim didn’t have statistically the year he had the year before, but I thought he had a very good year. We have, if not the best, one of the top goaltending tandems in the league.”

    The Predators still believe they’ll be able to re-sign Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. Predators chairman Tom Cigarran:

    “We were going to keep the very best players to the extent we can, to the extent they want to play here,” Cigarran told the Tennessean. “To the extent they want to play here, we would step up and make sure we had the money available to pay them.”

  • David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Sharks GM Doug Wilson got a vote of confidence from ownership, but the coaching staff hasn’t received one yet. Wilson is still in the review process, which should be completed over the next couple weeks. Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Coach Todd McLellan has 2 years left on his deal, and LeBrun thinks he’ll remain with the team. New Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin would definitely be interested in Alain Vigneault if the Canucks fired him. Marc Crawford could also be in the mix for the Canadiens job. Darren Dreger reported that Bob Hartley and Michel Therrien are in consideration. The sale of the St. Louis Blues to minority owner Tom Stillman is “very close.”
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators top 5 offseason priorities: 1. Bring back Daniel Alfredsson 2. Sign defenceman Erik Karlsson 3. Re-sign center Chris Kelly as a UFA 4. Trade defenceman Sergei Gonchar 5. Buy out winger Bobby Butler.
  • Andy Strickland via twitter: The Blues tried to upgrade their blueline at the trade deadline, but were unsuccessful. Kent Huskins will likely replace Ian Cole tonight. Matt D’Agostini could replace Alex Steen on the line with Andy McDonald and David Backes. Blues coach Ken Hitchcock wanted to rule Jaroslav Halak out of the series to eliminate any potential distraction.

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Selke, Lady Byng finalists … Injury updates on Alfredsson, Kovalchuk, Garrison and Boyle … Canucks decisions … Parise blocks out future talk

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on April 23rd, 2012

  • Spector’s Hockey via twitter: The Canucks will have some tough decisions with Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider. If they are not able to find a trade partner for Luongo, they may have to trade Schneider. They could hope there is an amnesty buyout in the next CBA agreement which they could use on Luongo if he’s untradeable, but this is a long shot.
  • Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Zach Parise on his future if they lose on Tuesday:

    “It’s blocked out,” Parise said of what his hockey future might hold if the Devils are eliminated. “I don’t think about it and I really don’t want to talk about it.”

    Martin Brodeur on his future:

    “Career-wise, I don’t feel it will be the last (game),” Brodeur said. “But opportunity-wise, you never know. Who knows what position we’ll be in this time next year. I just want to keep this going regardless of what the future brings for me.”

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Radulov returning to Predators this week … Stuart leaving Wings after season … No broken bones for Backes … KHL wants to play in Brooklyn

Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 19th, 2012

8:10 AM:

8:05 AM:

  • Slava Malamud via twitter: Alexander Radulov will be on a plane for Nashville tomorrow according to Sport-Express. Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Radulov bought himself out of his Salavat deal just for the remainder of the season. He’s still under contract for next season with them. Radulov wanted to keep his KHL options open in case he didn’t receive a good enough offer in the NHL.

7:55 AM:

  • Darren Dreger via twitter: As of about 7:39 AM, the Predators remain optimistic about Radulov returning, but GM David Poile said they are still waiting for confirmation.

7:25 AM:

  • Slava Malamud via twitter: Alexander Radulov and his KHL team Salavat have reached an agreement that would let Radulov leave for Nashville now. Salavat would keep his KHL rights. Reports are that he’ll fly to Ufa [today] and likely leave for Nashville later this week. Dmitry Checnokov via twitter: Radulov’s russian agent confirms that he’ll be joining the Predaotrs in the coming days. Curtis Zupke via twitter: Predators coach Barry Trotz said that Radulov could fly to the U.S. by Tuesday, and that he’d “love” to see him in the lineup on Thursday. Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Comments from Ryan Suter, Mike Fisher and Shea Weber on Radulov:
    Ryan Suter:

    “Whenever you have top players it makes the game a lot easier. Simple, easy plays, not a lot of panic. He’s a top player.”

    Mike Fisher:

    “Radulov has been here before and knows some of the guys. I don’t see him not fitting in fine. He’s going to add a lot. If he does end up coming, you can add a player like that late going into the playoffs, it’s going to be big for us.”

    Shea Weber:

    “Everyone knows what a good player he is and how dynamic he is and what he’s able to do with the puck. It adds another element and adds some depth and some exciting play.”

  • David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Current Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart is a pending UFA and has made it known that he likely won’t be back with the Wings next season. His wife and 3 kids still live in California, and it’s too far with him in Detroit. The Sharks would be a perfect fit, and the Kings might have interest. Kings GM Dean Lombardi drafted Stuart.
  • St. Louis Blues via twitter: Blues forward David Backes blocked a shot on Saturday and will be evaluated in a few days according coach Ken Hitchcock. Jeremy Rutherford via twitter: Backes didn’t break any bones. Hitchcock said there is no return date yet. He’ll go on the West Coast trip and could play by the end of it.
  • Damian Cristodero via twitter: The Lightning are signing goalie Sebastien Caron, who has been playing in Germany. Announce coming today. Dustin Tokarski likely heading back to the AHL.
  • Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: The KHL wants to play regular season games in Brooklyn next year.

    “We decided that when the basketball club [the New Jersey Nets, owned by Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov] finishes building its arena in Brooklyn, KHL Legends Game and regular season games will be held there,”  Medvedev said in the interview. (Interview by SovSport)

    “We are continuing to improve the relationship between the KHL and the NHL. I am hoping that the situation with [Alex] Radulov will not spoil it.”

    Jaromir Jagr’s thoughts:

    “They’re thinking of doing that?” Jagr asked. “No [bleeping] way would they draw. Who would go to the games? How they gonna fly here? It makes no sense.”

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Jets send Scheifele down … Connolly closer, Reimer doubtful … Struggles in Montreal and Columbus … Doughty could return this week

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 24th, 2011

  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: With the addition of winger David Booth, the Canucks will likely shift Cody Hodgson back to his natural position and center the 3rd line. Chris Higgins will likely shift to right wing and play with Ryan Kesler and Booth.
  • Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs forward Tim Connolly believes he’s much closer to making his Leafs debut. He’s been cleared for contact. Connolly said:

    “I had a few contact drills and some one-on-one stuff in the corners with some of our bigger defencemen.

    “I’ll probably have to do a few more contact days and kind of work into it and after that I should be ready to go. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow and do a little bit more and get bumped a little bit harder. Today was a step in the right direction for me.”

    He probably won’t get into any games during this 4 game road trip. Tyler Bozak is being bothered by a bone bruise after blocking a shot on Thursday.

  • Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun: It’s looking like Jonas Gustavsson will be starting for the Maple Leafs tonight against the Flyers. Coach Ron Wilson said that James Reimer is day-to-day but could be ready for Thursday’s game against the Rangers. Ben Scrivens will probably be called up to be the backup. Michael Traikos via twitter: Reimer is doubtful for tonight, will be re-evaluate today.
  • David Alter via twitter: Lines at Maple Leafs practice yesterday: Lupul-Lombardi-Kessel;MacArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin;Kadri-Steckel-Frattin;Dupuis-Brown-Rosehill;Connolly-Orr-Bozak.
  • Jack Todd in the Montreal Gazette: The Canadiens only have 4 points after 7 games. If they continue to struggle Todd can see them firing coach Jacques Martin. GM Pierre Gauthier may fire Martin to save his own job.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets are off to a 0-7-1 start and there are questions surrounding the team. “How many more can this team lose? How much longer can coach Scott Arniel keep his job? For that matter, what about GM Scott Howson? Is a trade shake-up coming?” James Wisniewski will return from suspension on Tuesday. Jeff Carter could play this week.
  • David Pagnotta via twitter: Kyle Turris was never apart of the Canadiens-Coyotes trade talks before they made the small trade over the weekend.
  • Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Jakob Markstrom will start in net for the Panthers tonight in Montreal. Jose Theodore left Saturday’s game with a lower body injury.

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Crosby feels he’s close … Habs and Lightning looking for Dman … Jets could show interest in Bourque … Reimer and Backes injured … Duchene on 4th line

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 23rd, 2011

  • Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins captain Sidney Crosby considers himself close to returning, but that doesn’t mean he’ll play in the next couple games.

    “I need to get in some contact, more than just one bump in a morning skate,” Crosby said. “It’s got to be a few days of that. Whenever we can get some of those days together — and, hopefully, I’ll respond well to that — then I’ll be much closer than I am right now.”

  • Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Evgeni Malkin missed his 5th straight game last night. He’s skated the past 2 days without any pain, and the Penguins believe he’ll be back soon. He’s been having issues with lingering scar tissue in his right knee. Defenseman Zbynek Michalek left in the 3rd period of last night’s game and they are unsure of the severity.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Canadiens have no idea when Andrei Markov will return. Unhappy with the with the way they’ve been playing, GM Pierre Gauthier may be willing to trade Andrei Kostitsyn to bring in some help. Kostitsyn will be a free agent after the season and is making $3.25 million. Kostitsyn is inconsistent but it might bring the team a veteran defenseman. Lightning GM Steve Yzerman is also looking to add a defenseman. The Blue Jackets were rumored to have offered Steve Mason and Jakub Voracek to the Flyers for Mike Richards before the Jeff Carter deal was made. Flyers winger Scott Hartnell will have a cap hit of $4.2 million for the next 2 years and finds himself on the 3rd line. Coyotes aren’t shopping RFA holdout Kyle Turris but they are getting calls. Don’t be surprised if the Jets show interest in Flames Rene Bourque as they need help up front. The Canucks aren’t trying to trade defenseman Keith Ballard.
  • Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer left last night’s game after the 1st period. He was hit in the head by Brian Gionta and suffered “whiplash-type symptoms” according to coach Ron Wilson. “This early in the season, we didn’t want to risk it,” Wilson said of keeping Reimer in the room the rest of the night. “It was clearly an elbow to the head. I don’t know if you’d call it a head shot, but when you knock the goalie’s mask off …”
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers coach Tom Renny talked to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins about the comments on made on Friday about sitting RNH down. Renny didn’t tell him if he’ll remain with the team for the season. Matheson via twitter: Nugent-Hopkins swears he hasn’t been told if he’ll play past 9 games this year. Taylor Hall was told after 4 games last year that he’d be staying.
  • Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators Matt Carkner and Bobby Butler practiced with the team but both are a “still a distance away” from getting back in the lineup. Peter Regin re-injured his shoulder on Thursday and they are awaiting a prognosis from the doctors.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: After only registering 1 goal and 3 assists in 7 games, Avalanche center Matt Duchene found himself centering the 4th line of Jay McClement and Cody McLeod last night. He only played 11:35 minutes.

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