Posts Tagged Dion Phaneuf
Ducks GM on a scouting trip … Blue Jackets to move some UFAs … Brodeur may not retire … Vanek has UBI or food poisoning or flu … Karlsson a late scratch
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 11th, 2012
- Craig Custance of ESPN: Ducks GM Bob Murray will have to decide by the trade deadline if this year is just a “hiccup or if there’s something fundamentally wrong with the core of the team.” Coach Bruce Boudreau doesn’t think they need a total blowup. Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson: “At this point, we anticipate trading away some of our players, particularly the unrestricted ones.” Their UFAs are Kristian Huselius, Sammy Pahlsson, Vinny Prospal and Radek Martinek.
- Helene Elliott via twitter: Ducks GM Bob Murray is going on a scouting trip. Elliott was told that nothing is going on trade-wise for the Ducks at the moment, but the rumors will definitely be flying.
- Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: The 39 year old Martin Brodeur may not be thinking of retirement just yet.
“It’s funny, because I’ve asked a lot of players, and a lot of who are enjoying their retirement, but you know what? They all say they wish they could have maybe played another season. That makes me think, maybe I can stick around, if they still want me. So we’ll see.”
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Sabres winger Thomas Vanek left last night’s game after taking a hit from Dion Phaneuf. The Sabres initially said it was an upper-body injury but later …
“He’s either got food poisoning, some type of virus, flu,” Ruff said after the game. “He wasn’t feeling well in warm-up. … If you watch his first three shifts, you could tell. That was part of the issue. That line didn’t get anything going. He had nothing. He emptied his tank in between periods and couldn’t go.”
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars center Mike Ribeiro has some knee issues that he wants to play through.
“He may fly in tomorrow,” Gulutzan added. “He has an MCL (tear) there, but there’s an old MCL (scar) there, so that pollutes the water (of the MRI) of what’s actually there. He has it and he’s limping around, but Ribs thinks he can play. But for his sake, we have to make sure that he’s stable enough and doesn’t get an injury there. He really wanted to come on the trip, we had to make him stay at home.”
- Alan Robinson of NHL.com: Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson was scratched just before game time last night due to an upper-body injury. Bruce Garrioch via twitter: An update will come on Karlsson’s status this morning at practice.
- Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Avs forward Matt Duchene is walking around fine, and is probable to return later this month. He’s been out since Dec. 29th with a knee injury.
- Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: Panthers goalie Jacob Markstrom will have minor knee surgery today. If it ends up being just a ‘scope,’ then it will be at least 3-4 weeks. This will be Markstrom’s 2nd surgery on his knee in the last 10 months. Jose Theodore could practice later this week.
- Mike Heika via twitter: The Stars have put Philip Larsen on the IR.
- David Pagnotta via twitter: There were only 3 scouts at the Leafs – Sabres game last night: Oilers, Flyers and Blues.
Crosby update and rumors … Burke like January trades … Lightning, Ducks, Blackhawks rumors … Leafs injury updates … Starting goalies
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Starting Goalies on January 6th, 2012
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: On Sidney Crosby rumors that his season or career could be over.
“Sidney is doing very well, he’s training, he’s going in the right direction,” agent Pat Brisson of CAA Sports told ESPN.com Friday. “The idea of retiring or shutting him down is not even in our vocabulary. Far from that.”
“Absolutely zero truth to these rumors,” added Penguins general manager Ray Shero to ESPN.com on Friday.
Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke tries to make a trade splash in January, well in advance of the trade deadline.
“We are listening to a lot right now and there is a good chance something will happen but I don’t think it’s going to happen today or tomorrow,” Burke said. “This is like hunting. Sometimes when you’re hunting, you get a feeling you’re going to stumble on something, or birds are coming in and you get a sixth sense something is about to happen. I don’t sense that here right now. We’re talking to a lot of teams about a number of things — mostly we’re listening because we like our group — but I can’t sense if something is imminent or not. Right now I’d say it’s not.”
Burke would like to add some size upfront, and they are not talking to anyone right now about adding a goaltender.
Lightning GM Steve Yzerman may have to wait until the offseason to get a young starting goalie and a top 4 defenseman.
“I think I look at both, short-term and big picture,” Yzerman said. “I’m not going to do something out of desperation that’s going to hurt us in the long run, by trading draft picks and a good prospect or something like that. Any deal has got to make sense for us long term. So that makes it tricky.”
Ducks GM Bob Murray:
“What I said is what I said, right now I’m listening to everything,” Murray told ESPN.com. “It would be very difficult to make the type of deals I want, but I’m listening for sure. I still think we have a decent core here, but we’re maybe going to have to change a piece or two.”
“But sometimes blockbusters happen at the trade deadline, you never know,” Murray said.
Blackhawks GM Stean Bowman has been looking for a deal for awhile. He’d like to acquire a 4-5 defenseman and a center that could play in the top 6.
“Ideally, I’d like to find a center man,” Bowman said. “It doesn’t have to be a top center man, but somebody that can play and complement top players.”
- Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet.ca: Kypreos thinks that Sidney Crosby’s season is over based on his long-term health and the potential of a new contract. Crosby has one more year on his deal and can begin negotiations on July 1st. Crosby’s career could be in jeopardy with another concussion, and the next contract won’t come with an insurance policy that covers the Penguins from a career ending concussion. If Crosby is a “Penguin for Life,” the Penguins would be on the hook for the full amount, which could be as much as 10 years, $100 million.
- David Pagnotta via twitter: According to someone close to the Penguins, Sidney Crosby is doing better and is training. His goal is to back this season, though the timeline is still unclear.
- Scott MacArthur via twitter: Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson expects Dion Phaneuf to play tomorrow. No break after taking puck in the face. Colby Armstrong suffered a setback on his concussion recovery and needs a few days away from the rink. David Alter via twitter: Mike Komisarek and Mike Brown will return to the Maple Leafs lineup tomorrow.
- Josh Yohe via twitter: Penguins winger Pascal Dupuis will be playing tonight. Paul Martin is in. Arron Asham is out. Zbynek Michalek and Richard Park are ‘iffy.’
- Sam Carchidi via twitter: Kimmo Timonen is day to day. Flyers put Matt Walker on waivers.
- Dallas Stars via twitter: The Stars are looking to get Sheldon Souray back on Tuesday.
- Damian Cristodero vai twitter: Lightning forward Brett Connolly is returning to the team, and could play on Saturday.
- Dan Murphy via twitter: Cory Schneider will start in net for the Canucks against the Bruins.
- Jeremy Rutherford via twitter: Brian Elliott will start in net on Saturday against the Avalanche.
- Mark Stepneski via twitter: Kari Lehtonen will start in net tomorrow for the Stars.
- Chris Botta talks with Darren Dreger about the current trade market.
2011-12 Top 30 Salary Cap Numbers – Defensemen
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on August 28th, 2011
List below are the Top 30 Salary Cap Numbers for defensemen heading into the 2011-12 NHL season. Due to front-loading contracts (back-loaded in some cases), and teams having to deal with the salary cap, a players cap number takes precedence over their actual salary. Drew Doughty for sure, and possibly Luke Schenn could be added to this list once they sign.
| Rk. | Player | Team | 2011-12 Cap Number | 2011-12 Salary |
| 1 | Shea Weber | NAS | $7,500,000 | $7,500,000 |
| 2 | Brian Campbell | FLA | $7,140,000 | $7,140,000 |
| 3 | Zdeno Chara | BOS | $6,917,000 | $8,500,000 |
| 4 | Jay Bouwmeester | CGY | $6,680,000 | $6,600,000 |
| 5 | Dan Boyle | SJS | $6,667,000 | $6,667,000 |
| 6 | Dion Phaneuf | TOR | $6,500,000 | $6,500,000 |
| Wade Redden | NYR | $6,500,000 | $6,500,000 | |
| 8 | Kimmo Timonen | PHI | $6,333,000 | $5,000,000 |
| 9 | Nicklas Lidstrom | DET | $6,200,000 | $6,200,000 |
| 10 | Brent Seabrook | CHI | $5,800,000 | $7,000,000 |
| 11 | Andrei Markov | MTL | $5,750,000 | $5,750,000 |
| 12 | Lubomir Visnovsky | ANA | $5,600,000 | $5,000,000 |
| 13 | Duncan Keith | CHI | $5,551,000 | $8,000,000 |
| 14 | Sergei Gonchar | OTT | $5,500,000 | $5,500,000 |
| James Wisniewski | CLB | $5,500,000 | $7,000,000 | |
| 16 | Mike Green | WAS | $5,250,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Keith Yandle | PHX | $5,250,000 | $5,250,000 | |
| 18 | Dustin Byfuglien | WPG | $5,200,000 | $4,250,000 |
| 19 | Paul Martin | PIT | $5,000,000 | $5,500,000 |
| Michal Rozsival | PHX | $5,000,000 | $3,000,000 | |
| 21 | Chris Pronger | PHI | $4,921,000 | $7,600,000 |
| 22 | Kevin Bieksa | VAN | $4,600,000 | $7,000,000 |
| 23 | Joni Pitkanen | CAR | $4,500,000 | $4,500,000 |
| Mike Komisarek | TOR | $4,500,000 | $5,500,000 | |
| Ron Hainsey | WPG | $4,500,000 | $5,000,000 | |
| Dan Hamhuis | VAN | $4,500,000 | $5,000,000 | |
| 27 | Jack Johnson | LAK | $4,357,000 | $3,500,000 |
| 28 | Anton Volchenkov | NJD | $4,250,000 | $4,250,000 |
| Tomas Kaberle | CAR | $4,250,000 | $4,000,000 | |
| 30 | John-Michael Liles | TOR | $4,200,000 | $4,550,000 |
| Keith Ballard | VAN | $4,200,000 | $4,200,000 |
Kings file grievance of Fraser … Devils re-sign Parise … Doughty update … NHL gets offer for Stars … Zherdev likes Jets
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 30th, 2011
- Dan Tencer via twitter: The LA Kings have filed a grievance over the health issues of Colin Fraser, who was acquired from the Oilers for Ryan Smyth.
- Mark Everson of the NY Post: The NJ Devils and Zach Parise avoided arbitration and signed a 1 year deal worth $6 million.
“Knowing that nothing was going to get done long-term right now, this gives us a springboard for further negotiations,” general manager Lou Lamoriello said.
“There was no question that [Parise] was going to get a one-year contract, and settling it where both parties feel good about it is a platform to get something longer done,” Lamoriello said.
If Parise isn’t signed to a long-term deal, he’ll become a UFA after this season.
- E.J. Hradek of NHL.com: LA King GM Dean Lombardi on Drew Doughty contract talks,
“I’m fairly confident that we’ll be able to get this done.”
“We’ve been talking,” Lombardi said. “We’re trying to hammer it out, but I don’t think I really have a handle on it yet.”
One of the problems involved is the lack of comparables for Doughty. Dion Phaneuf’s 6 year, $39 million deal could be the best comparable. Shea Weber is still working on a new deal with the Predators. Phaneuf had 54 goals, 105 assists and was a +27 after 243 games. Doughty has 33 goals, 93 assists and a +16 after 239 games. Doughty has better puck skills and skating ability than Phaneuf. It was reported a couple weeks ago that the Kings offered up to 9 years at more than $6.5 million a season. Doughty could become a UFA in 4 years under the current CBA.
- Mike Hieka of the Dallas Morning News: 2 sources have said that Tom Gaglardi and Monarch Investments have sent an offer to the NHL to buy the Dallas Stars. There are over 40 lenders involved and everyone may not get paid as the sale price could be lower than the debt.
“In a traditional sale, you have a seller who is trying to negotiate with a buyer, and you have traditional sale practices. But this isn’t a traditional sale,” said one source. “You have a group of sellers who have different opinions, and that really means you don’t have a seller, per se. Into that vacuum has stepped a lot of lawyers, and that has made the process very complicated.”
Other offers can still be put forth, Gaglardi would have the option to increase his offer or walk away. The NHL allowed at least 4 groups to look at the Stars’ books.
- Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Nikolai Zherdev would like to play for the Winnipeg Jets. There hasn’t been any indication if the Jets are interested.
“The weather is not a priority to me,” Zherdev told broadstreethockey.com. “The most important thing is to get a good role on the team, a good coach and a good contract. Everything related to climate and geography doesn’t basically mean anything.
“I don’t know all the details of the situation. The agent does,” said Zherdev. “But I can say that I’m seriously considering all offers from both NHL and KHL.”
- Toronto Sun: Alexei Kovalev has signed a 2 year deal with Atlant Mytischi of the KHL. Brent Sopel signed a 2 year with Metallurg Novokuznetsk of the KHL.
Predators off-season notes … 5 Flyers require surgery … Fehr and Leblanc had shoulder surgery … Fasth getting interest
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 11th, 2011
- Josh Cooper of the Nashville Tennessean: The Predators made it to the 2nd round for the 1st time in franchise history, and will have a busy off-season with 4 UFAs and 5 RFAs. Their biggest challenge will be RFA Shea Weber who’d requires a raise from his current $4.5 million salary. Both sides had agreed during the season to wait until the off-season. One comparable could be Dion Phaneuf’s 6 year, $39 million deal. A starting point could be Brent Seabrook’s 5 year, $29 million contract, but he doesn’t put up the same offensive numbers and doesn’t provide the same leadership. Would they look at trade Weber before July 1st if they feel they can’t get a deal done? Joel Ward is a UFA and proved during the playoffs that he is more valuable than his $1.5 million he made this year. The Predators need to find a ‘game-changing forward,’ Shea Weber pointed this out on Monday. “That’s obviously up to the front office now, but we have to find a way to generate more goals,” Weber said. “We’re a good defensive team, but that can only get you so far.” Steve Sullivan will likely have to take a pay cut from his $3.75 million if he wants to come back next year. JP Dumont, who has a healthy scratch at times during the 2nd half of the season, is due to make $4 million next year and they could consider buying him out.
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals forward Eric Fehr had surgery to repair a torn labrum on his right shoulder. He could be out 4 to 6 months. 2 years ago he had surgery on both his shoulders.
“When he comes out of the sling, he’ll go through a very specific rehab program intending to get back his motion and strength and the rhythm of the shoulder back,” Shaffer said. “We’ll allow him to start skating two months from the date of the procedure, but return to play will be gradual. He’ll probably be on the ice in training camp but he won’t be in contact, collision situations.”
- Montreal Gazette: Canadiens prospect Louis Leblanc had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder on Tuesday and will have 4 to 6 months of rehab. Leblanc was picked 18th overall in the 2009 draft. If the rehab lasts only 4 months, he could be ready for training camp.
- Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports: Friedman thinks that if the Capitals are to shakeup their core, they should only move one of Mike Green or Alexander Semin, but not both.
- Philadelphia Flyers via twitter: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said that 5 players will need off-season surgery. Mike Richards and Andrej Meszaros will have wrist surgery. Kris Versteeg will have a stomach muscle procedure, Blair Betts on his finger and Michael Leighton will have hip surgery.
- Damian Cristodero via twitter: The Lightning, Rangers and Oilers are reportedly interested in free agent Swedish goalie, Viktor Fasth.
Hotstove and NHL Sources Say videos … DiPietro and Leclaire hurt, there’s a shocker … Staal still hasn’t received clearance
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on December 19th, 2010
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Simmons thinks that Darryl Sutter didn’t make a mistake in trading Dion Phaneuf, mistake was not shopping him around or getting 1 decent player in return. Simmons asks a couple good questions about the Leafs power play; “Why does Phil Kessel play so high? With his quick hands, shouldn’t he be down low camped out on one side of the net?” (My answer would be coaching, they are the one’s who design the systems)
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: John MacLean hasn’t received any assurance about his coaching job from Lou Lamoriello in the last couple weeks.
- The Globe and Mail: Penguins center Jordan Staal’s return is still up in the air as he has yet to receive clearance to begin practicing.
- The Globe and Mail: Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro is out again with swelling in his left knee, but appears to only be minor.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Pascal Leclaire can’t shake the injury bug. He was unable to start on Friday due to a lower body injury
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Christmas roster freeze is in effect tonight at midnight. The Senators are interested in trading for Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa but he isn’t available yet.
- Joshua Cooper via twitter: The Predators should get either David Legwand or Patrick Hornqvist back on Wednesday.
- Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove
- NHL Sources Say – Donald Fehr’s new role with the NHLPA as well as Pascal Leclaire’s future with the Senators.
10 players who could be moved … Sturm targets 23rd … Good news for Blues Dman Johnson … Stastny day-to-day … Neon Dion
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 17th, 2010
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: LeBrun looks at 10 players who could be moved by the February 28th trade deadline; Brad Richards, Tomas Vokoun, Tomas Kaberle, Joffrey Lupul, Alexei Kovalev, Tim Connolly, Jason Arnott, Jamie Langenbrunner, Devin Setoguchi, and Joni Pitkanen.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Recently acquired Marco Sturm is looking at a December 23rd debut for the LA Kings, with an outside shot at their December 21st game. The Kings apparently haven’t been concerned about Sturm knee, he had some arthritic buildup that pushed back his return date. Blues defenseman Roman Polak will see a doctor today and is looking to return to the Blues lineup in January.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The Blues got the results back from Erik Johnson’s MRI on his right knee, and it was finally something on the good side of things. The MRI revealed a slight strain and he’s listed as day-to-day, and hasn’t been ruled out of Saturday’s game. The Blues have lost 108 man games so far this season, with 12 missing at least 1 game, 4 players have missed more than 10.
- Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny says he’s day-to-day with a back injury. He awkwardly hit the boards after being hit in Wednesday’s game against the Blackhawks.
- Darren Dreger of TSN: Former Calgary Flames coach admits there was tension in the locker room between Dion Phaneuf and some teammates during his days in Calgary. Some teammates called him “Neon Dion” as they found him overconfident/cocky at times. Some players wanted Phaneuf to be disciplined for his sometimes “combative nature and verbal approach”, but Keenan didn’t.
- Steve Zipay via twitter: Vinny Prospal should return to the NY Rangers no earlier than mid-January.
- Jim Gintonio via twitter: Once the Phoenix Coyotes sale becomes finalized, the teams first priority will be to re-sign Ilya Bryzgalov for 5 more years.
- Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman has said he’d like to improve along the blueline and at center, but their tight against the cap and a move may have to wait until deadline day.
Pronger injured … Callahan breaks hand … Sutter would do Phaneuf trade again, um what? Sturm targets next Wednesday
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors on December 16th, 2010
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger suffered a lower body injury in the 2nd period last night, and did not make it out for the 3rd period.
- Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: New York Rangers forward Ryan Callahan broke his hand while blocking a shot. Early word is that he could miss 6 weeks. Todd White will likely return to the lineup tonight in place of Callahan.
- Eric Francis of the Calgary Herald: Flames GM Darryl Sutter says he would make the Dion Phaneuf trade over again (in case you forgot the deal was Dion Phaneuf, Freddie Sjostrom, and Keith Aulie for Matt Stajan, Niclas Hagman, Ian White and Jamal Mayers). Sutter said if they didn’t trade Dion, they would have lost Rene Bourque and Mark Giordano. Bourque signed for six years, $20 million and Giordano signed for five years, 20.1 million. To me this doesn’t make sense. Phanuef and Sjostrom carry about a $7.25 million cap hit this year. Stajan is at $3.5 million (crazy deal he signed this summer), Hagman is a $3 million cap hit, and they had signed White to a 1 year, $2.999 million deal before trading him to Carolina. According to my math, that’s almost $9.5 million in salary they added compared $7.5 million heading to Toronto (and I’m not including the money they wasted on signing Jokinen).
- Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Taylor Hall’s role with the Edmonton Oilers may expand to include penalty killing. Oilers coach Tom Renney almost did so on Tuesday against the Leafs but decided against it. The Oilers struggles this year allows them to try things they may not otherwise have done.
- Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Christian Ehrhoff remains ‘status quo’ with regards to his concussion, he’s missed the last 4 games.
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Marco Sturm finally joined his new Kings teammates yesterday for practice. He practiced on the 4th line as he still recovers from knee surgery. He is targeting next Wednesday for his LA Kings debut against the Oilers.
- Thrash, the Atlanta Thrashers mascot steals team zamboni and goes for a joyride.
Nabokov to Lightning may not be a no-brainer … Lease passes Glendale vote … Sabres get trio back … Phaneuf-Iginla feud? Difference in Oilers-Leafs rebuilds
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on December 15th, 2010
- Craig Custance of the Sporting News: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman confirms that he spoke with Evgeni Nabokov’s agent but wouldn’t say anything more. He did say that their goaltending needs to improve and he’s not ruling out that improvement comes from Dan Ellis and Mike Smith. The Washington Capitals are also mentioned a team that may be interested in Nabokov but Bruce Boudreau offered this, “We’ve got two great young goaltenders,” Boudreau said. “Not good, but great young goaltenders. We’re not going after anybody else.”
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: It seems like a no brainer for the Lightning to sign Evgeni Nabokov but there a few things that Yzerman has to consider. 1) He’s 35 so if you sign him to multi-year deal he’ll count against the cap even if he stops playing. He struggle at the Olympics last year (and through parts of the season) and in the KHL this year. 2) If they sign him, he still has to clear waivers. 3) How much does he expect to make? Is he looking for something in the $4 million range? If the Lightning decide to go another route the could inquire about Dwayne Roloson and Johan Hedberg as upgrades to their current tandem.
- The Globe and Mail: It looks like Matt Hulsizer is getting closer to owning the Arizona Phoenix Coyotes as the Glendale City Council approved the new lease in a 5-2 vote. The new deal will cost the city $197 million over 6 years, Hulsizer is expected to buy the team for $170 million.
“This is the resolution we sought,” Bettman said after the meeting ended near midnight. “The action taken by the council is successful and conclusive.”
“My reservation here is the city would be left with huge bills and no income from this transaction if Mr. Hulsizer defaults on any of his payments to the city,” said council member Joyce Clark, who voted against the lease. “If, for some reason, he relinquishes control of the Coyotes franchise, the cost to the city would be enormous.”
The Coyotes have not made money since they left Winnipeg in 1996, Hulsizer added,
“It will take some time to turn this around,” he said. “It will not happen in the short term. We’re looking 10, 15 years possibly, I don’t know. We hope the economy will start to turn around, and the Coyotes can win.”
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: Though not official yet, Dean McAmmond plans on retiring. McAmmond’s agent said he received a couple opportunities to continue playing but he had already stopped skating.
- The Detroit News: Jimmy Howard will start in the net for the Red Wings tonight against the Blues. Chris Osgood is likely to a get a shot at his 400th career win on either Friday or Saturday.
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Tim Connolly and Drew Stafford are expected back in the Sabres lineup tonight versus the Bruins. Rob Niedermayer is likely to return as well. Mark Mancari was sent to the AHL Monday and Luke Adam was sent back yesterday. Nathan Gerbe hasn’t scored in 20 games could be a healthy scratch.
- David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: San Jose Sharks Douglas Murray, Devin Setoguchi and Kent Huskins all skated yesterday before the team left on a 3 game road trip.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The rebuilding process between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton is quite different. From Brian Burke,
“We’re trying to do this without the draft picks. That’s why we signed Phil Kessel. We just have a different model, a different blue-print than Edmonton. We’re trying to rebuild without finishing dead last … although we almost did last year,” said Burke, who traded away his first-round draft pick last June and next summer to the Boston Bruins — who selected Tyler Seguin No. 2 overall behind Hall — for Kessel.
“I think you can rebuild without doing the Ottawa model or the Chicago model, where you finish last or dead-last or close to dead-last for two or three years and reload. I think you can add assets in a (salary) cap system. I build all my teams the same way — from the blue-line out. That’s where I spend my cap dollars. We’re different from Edmonton here. They’re building up front, first (Hall, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi, Sam Gagner).
“I won’t change my blue-print. It worked in Vancouver. It worked in Anaheim.
- Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Jarome Iginla and Dion Phaneuf shot down rumors that they feuded in Calgary. There were rumors that the 2 had fought, and that Phaneuf was having an affair with a teammates wife/girlfriend.
“Yes, Dion and I had a scrap,” Iginla admitted to the Toronto Sun.
“Ask Dion about our wrestling match,” Iginla said with a wink.
“It was at the hotel one time and we were just fooling around,” Phaneuf confirmed Tuesday.
“I was aware of the rumours. One of them suggested we got into it and one of us ended up with a black eye. I really don’t know where this stuff comes from.”
“Dion and I have been friends for a long time. And we will be long after our respective hockey careers have ended.”
Phaneuf back tonight … Starting goalies … Del Zotto a healthy scratch … Devils put 2 on waivers
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 9th, 2010
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Chris Chelios has said that he won’t be going over to the KHL.
- Chris Johnston via twitter: Dian Phaneuf has said that he’ll be in the lineup tonight versus the Flyers.
- Katie Strang via twitter: Tuuka Rask first off the ice, likely to start tonight for the Bruins.
- Ian Mendes via twitter: Brian Elliott will start for the Senators tonight versus the NY Rangers. Ryan Shannon will be a healthy scratch.
- Katie Carrera via twitter: Semyon Varlamov first tender off the ice for the Capitals.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Don’t expect any trades by the Maple Leafs today before Burke’s Christmas holiday roster freeze.
- Andrew Gross via twitter: Michael Del Zotto will be a healthy scratch for the Rangers tonight, Matt Gilroy is in. Henrik Lundqvist will start for the Rangers.
- Andrew Gross via twitter: Vinny Prospal won’t be back into the lineup until after Christmas. Chris Drury will be re-examined on Sunday.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Stephen Gionta and Olivier Magnan put on waivers by the NJ Devils. Calgary’s Ryan Stone clears waivers.
Jere Lehtinen retires … Staal still weeks away … Malkin out tonight … Phaneuf could return on Thursday
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Audio, NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 8th, 2010
- Dan Rosen via twitter: The Dallas Stars have announced that Jere Lehtinen has officially retired from the NHL.
- Will DePaoli via twitter: Penguins coach Bylsma said that Jordan Staal is still weeks away.
- Dan Rosen via twitter: Evgeny Malkin is out of the Penguins lineup tonight. Mike Comrie is out another week. Staal is making progress but not close.
- Jimmy Murphy via twitter: “Sturm trade unlikely unless team trading for him has definite return date. But still unlikely.”
- Tim Sassone via twitter: Andrew Raycroft will start for the Stars tonight. Kari Lehtonen has tightness in his leg.
- Alec Brownscombe via twitter: Brian Burke’s self imposed Christmas trade freeze kicks in tomorrow at midnight.
- Jonas Siegel via twitter: Jonas Gustavsson will start for the Maple Leafs tonight.
- Jonas Siegel via twitter: Dion Phaneuf could return tomorrow versus the Flyers according to coach Ron Wilson.
- The Globe and Mail Audio: James Mirtle posts audio from Dion Phaneuf today.
- The Globe and Mail Audio: Mirtle posts audio from Ron Wilson today.
- Fan 960 Audio: Matt Stajan talks with Rob as the Flames get set for a two game road trip.
Kane out 3 weeks … Poni to return Thursday, Mitchell Close … Phanuef could return Saturday … Horcoff out 8 weeks?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on December 8th, 2010
- Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: Patrick Kane will be out the Chicago Blackhawks lineup for about 3 weeks with a sprained ankle. “We’re going to leave it as a lower body (injury), but I think you can speculate what it is. Certainly that’s the extent of it and he’s progressing right now.”
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: If the Stars decide to move Brad Richards at the trade deadline “it’s only because (1) they weren’t able to sign him to an extension and (2) they’re offered the kind of deal that sets them up “for the next five years.” The Sharks continue to look for a top 4 defenseman. If Devils coach John MacLean can’t find a way to get Ilya Kovalchuk scoring (5 goals in 26 games), they should find someone who can (my fantasy team would appreciate this as well).
- Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers center Shawn Horcoff felt his knee ‘pop’ after colliding with Corey Perry. Coach Tom Renney guesses he could be out 8 weeks. Horcoff will have an MRI done today, he does have a damaged MCL. They could call up one of Linus Omark, Liam Reddox or Ryan O’Marra.
- Helene Elliott via twitter: Alexei Ponikarovsky (fractured finger) said he’ll be ready to go on Thursday vs. the Flames.
- Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider: LA Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell is getting closer to returning, as he practiced yesterday without his wrist brace. Mitchell will be examined on Thursday and will look to get clearance. Ponikarovsky was pronounced ready to return by Terry Murray and will be on the left side of Michal Handzus and Wayne Simmons.
- James Mirtle via twitter: Dion Phaneuf practiced with the Maple Leafs yesterday and could return on Saturday for their game against the Canadiens.
- Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Bruins defenseman Mark Stuart has an upper body injury, more will be known today.
- EJ McGuire of the CSB talking 2011 NHL Draft on NYI Point Blank:
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