Posts Tagged Dustin Byfuglien
Bruins not talking Thomas trade … Focus now turns to Ruutu, Allen and Pitkanen … Liles doesn’t think it’s a concussion … Kane back to Winnipeg
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 31st, 2012
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said via email on Tim Thomas trade rumors: “Not trading him. I have not talked to anyone and I don’t plan to.”
- Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford has a policy not to re-sign players during the season, but Tim Gleason was an exception yesterday. It was the first time he’s done that. Rutherford said he’s getting lost of calls for Tuomo Ruutu. Darren Dreger via twitter: Hurricanes trade focus now switches to Ruutu, Bryan Allen and Joni Pitkanen. Pitkanen’s injury may not interfere with a trade.
- Vicki Hall via twitter: Flames GM Jay Feaster on the radio yesterday: “our mandate is to win now.”
- Jonas Siegel of TSN: Leafs defenseman John-Michael Liles believes he doesn’t have a concussion, but his issues stem from a neck problem.
“Everybody wants to call it a concussion,” he exclaimed to TSN.ca. “Everybody says ‘Oh, if you have whiplash you have a concussion’ … I wasn’t sitting there going ‘Oh man I feel so foggy’ or anything like that, it just felt like I was just completely locked up and it was cutting off my focus and things like that.
“It all seemed like it was always neck-related and it almost felt like it was cutting off the flow to my brain sometimes just because it was so stiff.”
- Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets Evander Kane and Tim Stapleton are heading back to Winnipeg for further evaluation. Kane is out with a concussion and is not expected to play on their 4 game road trip. Dustin Byfuglien and Alex Burmistrov staked yesterday and are close to returning. They won’t play tonight, but could be in the lineup on Thursday.
- Dave Molinari via twitter: Sidney Crosby will skate today and will be off tomorrow.
- Tim Panaccio via twitter: The earliest Flyers forward Daniel Briere returns is this weekend. James van Riemsdyk is not expected to play tonight.
- Tony Marinario via twitter: The Canadiens said that Andrei Markov would be out 4 t0 6 weeks after his Dec. 5th operation. It’s been 8 weeks now.
- Ottawa Senators via twitter: Senators coach Paul MacLean said that forward Peter Regin will be out 4-6 months after left shoulder surgery.
- Rich Chere via twitter: Devils forward Travis Zajac hasn’t resumed skating yet. He’ll need to get clearance from his doctor in Winnipeg before he can start.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils lines: Parise-Zubrus-Kovalchuk; Sykora-Elias-Clarkson; Ponikarovsky-Josefson-Bernier; Boulton-Mills/Carter-Janssen.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Semyon Varlamov will start in net for the Avalanche tonight against the Oilers.
Rumors involving the Oilers … List of forwards that could be available … Ovie, Michalek have hearings … Rangers need Dman … Benn to IR
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 23rd, 2012
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers are taking calls for Ales Hemsky as half the league is looking for a top 6 forward. The Oilers need a puck moving defenseman more than a draft pick. It’s unlikely the Predators would give up Ryan Ellis for Hemsky. One scout thinks the Predators would rather have Ryan Smyth over Hemsky, but Smyth likely won’t waive his no-trade clause at the deadline. The Senators are a wild card for Hemsky. The Oilers have liked Drew Stafford. Matheson wonders if the Kings would be interested in a Jonathan Bernier for Magnus Paajarvi deal this summer. The Blackhawks might take a look at Chris Campoli for their 4-5 hole that they are looking to fill. The Predators may look at taking offers for backup Anders Lindback this summer.
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Molinari lists some ‘rental’ players that could be available this year: Jason Blake (Ana), Josh Green (Edm), Nicklas Hagman (Ana), Adam Hall (TB), Ales Hemsky (Edm), Kristian Huselius (CBJ), Saku Koivu (Ana), Dominic Moore (TB), Frans Nielsen (NYI), Samuel Pahlsson (Ana), Jay Pandolfo (NYI), P.A. Parenteau (NYI), George Parros (Ana), Vinny Prospal (CBJ), Tuomo Ruutu (Car), Teemu Selanne (Ana) and Ryan Smyth (Edm).
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Capitals Alex Ovechkin will have a hearing today for his high hit on Michalek. Penguins Zbynek Michalek will have a hearing today for his elbow on Hendricks.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Rangers GM Glen Sather needs to add a defenseman that can handle big minutes down the stretch. They’ve always liked Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason. Stars Sheldon Souray is an interesting option given his ability on the power play, but there are questions about his ability to defend. Ryan Suter is a possibility if he becomes available and if they want to go that direction.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Heika wonders if the Stars may have to consider moving Stephane Robidas, Brenden Morrow or Nicklas Grossman to create roster room for younger players. Heika doesn’t think so, as it sends a message that they are giving up this year. If they fall out of the race though, they may do something.
- Dallas Stars via twitter: The Stars have placed Jamie Benn on the IR and recalled Matt Fraser.
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: More will be known about Jonathan Toews injury after practice today. The Blackhawks have only 1 game before the All-Star break.
- Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets Dustin Byfuglien and Evander Kane didn’t accompany the team to Carolina for tonight’s game. They play the Rangers on Tuesday in NY. Byfuglien and Kane are not expected to play until after the All-Star break.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets forward R.J. Umberger could play tonight after missing the last 5 games with a concussion. Predators defenseman Ryan Suter is expected to be back after missing 3 games with an upper-body injury.
- Shawn Mitchell via twitter: Recently signed Brett Lebda will make his debut tonight, and will be on the top pairing with Fedor Tyutin.
- David Alter via twitter: Leafs lines at yesterday’s practice: Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Crabb-Grabo-Kulie, Lombardi-Connolly-Kadri, MacArthur-Steckel-Brown, x Rosehill,Armstrong,Boyce.
Injury notes on Weber, Byfugien, Peverley, Koivu, Blake, Russell and Higgins
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News on December 28th, 2011
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Barry Trotz said there is no timetable for Shea Weber’s return. He is holding out hope for Friday. Hard to predict concussion time frames.
- Gary Lawless via twitter: Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien was scratched last night due to a lower body injury. He’s had a knee issue for awhile.
- Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: Bruins forward Rich Peverley practiced yesterday for the 1st time in 9 days. There is a good chance that he plays on New Year’s Eve.
- Jeff Miller of the OC Register: Ducks center Saku Koivu practiced yesterday and will be a game time decision on Thursday. Winger Jason Blake practiced with the team as well. Lines at yesterday’s practice: Niklas Hagman-Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan-Nick Bonino-Teemu Selanne, Matt Beleskey-Andrew Cogliano-Andrew Gordon, Jean-Francois Jacques-Rod Pelley-George Parros, Kyle Palmieri-Saku Koivu-Jason Blake.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Blues defenseman Kris Russell left last night’s game in the 1st period with a lower-body injury. He’ll be re-evaluated today. Forward B.J. Crombeen was activated from the IR.
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: Canucks forward Chris Higgins may be out of the lineup with mysterious illness. He’s missed 2 games earlier this month from it.
Injury notes involving Crosby, Chara, 5 Jets, Michalek, Staal, Stastny, Skinner, Nabokov and Hall
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News on December 13th, 2011
- Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins center Sidney Crosby is out indefinitely with recurring symptoms from his concussion. He started getting headaches again after taking an elbow to the head from Bruins forward David Krejci on Dec. 5th. “The next day, after the game, I didn’t feel right,” he said. Further tests showed no serious injury.
“Three or four months ago, I was concerned he might never come back to play because of how long it was taking him to recuperate,” said Dr. Jack Wilberger, chairman of the department of neurosurgery for West Penn Allegheny Health System. “My concerns are further heightened now.” (Wilberger is not on Crosby’s medical team)
Crosby is viewing this like the minor setback he experienced in August.
“It is concerning that he is having symptoms again, but there is a very real possibility that Crosby and those around him are simply being extremely cautious, which is the proper course to take,” Stuart said. “This does not mean his career is in jeopardy.”
- Josh Yohe via twitter: Penguins coach on Dan Bylsma: “It’s frustrating for Sid. Sid knows his body better than anyone else. He’s not feeling 100 percent. He’ll return when he is 100.”
- Josh Rimer via twitter: Rimer was told by a couple people that Crosby is also having left knee trouble.
- Joe McDonald of ESPN Boston: Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara didn’t practice yesterday and is day-to-day. “There’s no time frame when I’m going to be back, but most likely I won’t be playing tomorrow,” Chara said. “Honestly, it’s in a stage where we can’t talk about anything more than 24 hours ahead.
- Kirk Penton of the Winnipeg Sun: Dustin Byfuglien (leg), Ron Hainsey (ankle), Nik Antropov (foot) and Eric Fehr (shoulder) are all questionable for tonight’s game. Defenseman Tobias Enstrom practiced with contact for the 1st time since breaking his collarbone, but he won’t play tonight.
- Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins defenseman Zbynek Michalek and Brian Strait returned to practice yesterday but won’t be ready for game action this week. Center Jordan Staal is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and it’s not known if he’ll be able to go tonight.
- Adrian Dater via twitter: Avalanche center Paul Stastny practiced yesterday and will play tonight.
- Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller on forward Jeff Skinner: “As of right now I don’t think we’re going to have him.”
- NY Islanders via twitter: Evgeni Nabokov has been activated from the IR.
- Edmonton Oilers via twitter: Oilers forward Taylor Hall has been cleared for contact.
Kings want to avoid 5 year deal with Doughty … Flyers again deny why they Carter and Richards … Byfuglien charged … Crosby video
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on September 21st, 2011
- Helene Elliot of the LA Times: Kings GM Dean Lombardi said again that “there’s no way” he’s trading Drew Doughty. Doughty remains in London, Ontario after rejecting offers in the 6 to 9 year range. The Kings want avoid a 5 year deal (which would be a reasonable compr0mise) as they want to avoid having Doughty and Anze Kopitar a UFA at the same time.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren denies that he traded Mike Richards and Jeff Carter during the offseason due to off-ice issues.
“That (off-ice behavior) had nothing to do with it, nothing to do it,” said Holmgren, the Flyers general manager. “They were young guys with a lot of money who enjoyed their life. And a lot was made of that. And why wouldn’t they? Wouldn’t you?
“A lot of has been said about this, too much really. There have been all kinds of stuff out there, and it’s untrue. Because they were quiet kids and weren’t good with the media, I think some of that came back to them. I think they paid for that. I don’t think it’s been fair. I think the world of both those kids. They gave their hearts and souls to our team.”
- Paul Walsh of the Star-Tribune: Dustin Byfuglien has been charged with boating while intoxicated. His blood alcohol level was 0.031%, with the legal limit 0.08%. Byfuglien was subject to drug-recognition testing and it was determined he was “under the influence of a controlled substance.” He told police that he takes supplements from “16 or 17″ bottles but could not recall the names of them. Byfuglien was charged with gross-misdemeanor refusal to submit to blood or alcohol testing, boating while intoxicated, no navigational lights illuminated and insufficient number of personal flotation devices available. The charges may give him trouble entering Canada.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Mark Cuban no longer has interest in buying the Dallas Stars. Doug Miller of Allen Americans may have interest in offering more than Tom Gaglardi’s $267 million offer to buy the team. Local sports entrepreneur Chuck Greenberg said on Monday that he’s interested in the team.
- Arthur Staple of Newsday: The Islanders will announce a new captain today and it could be defenseman Mark Streit.
- Szymon Szemberg via twitter: Russian media is reporting that Alexei Yashin is about to sign with CSKA Moscow of the KHL. Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Despite some reports, Vityaz did not offer Yashin a 1 year, $1 million deal.
- Allan Maki of the Globe and Mail: The job appears to be open for Mikael Backlund and he just needs to pick up where he left off last season. The top line job between Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay is his for the taking. Other centers on their depth chart are Brendan Morrison, Matt Stajan and Olli Jokinen.
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Re-alignment was discussed “at length” by the Board of Governors. Darren Dreger via twitter: Expect a decision on NHL re-alignment during the December Board of Governors meetings. Greg Brady via twitter: There are lots of options for re-alignment, including 3 conferences of 10 teams.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Blues goalie Brian Elliott and Ben Bishop will battle to backup Jaroslav Halak. Both signed the same contract, $600,000 in the NHL and $105,000 in the AHL. Halak is projected to start 60 games this year.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators tough guy Francis Lessard got a talking to from Matt Carkner and coach Paul MacLean after he took a blindsided run at Nikita Filatov during a scrimmage. “To be fair to Francis, he’s here to show the coach what he can do for the team,” said MacLean.
Crosby’s doctors differ … Doughty has Kings best offer … Schenn, Baily salary breakdown … Injury notes on Kane, Sharp, Markov, Fisher and Niemi
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 17th, 2011
- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Sidney Crosby has been cleared to practice but his medical team can’t agree on when he should be ready for contact. A Florida-based chiropractor who has been examining Crosby told a Pittsburgh radio station that he’s ready for contact. Crosby’s doctors at a concussion clinic may not think so and stand behind their comments at the news conference earlier this month, ”We’re going to make sure we introduce contact in a very careful way,” Collins said at the time. “And we’re not even close to that right now.”
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Kings GM Dean Lombardi told LeBrun that he feels they made their best possible offer to Drew Doughty, 7 years at a $6.8 million average.
- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Luke Schenn salary breakdown: $3.6 million with a $1 signing bonus this year, and $3.35 million in the remaining 4 years. Also has a modified no trade clause.
- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: The Islanders re-signed Josh Bailey to a 2 year deal. He’ll get $800,000 this year and $1.3 million next year.
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane is still wearing a splint on his left wrist and is taking a cautious approach with it.
“I’m going be cautionary about putting myself in contact right away,” Kane said Friday. “I’ll be doing practice with whatever team is out there, working real hard to get my range of motion back.”
“They said if it was the middle of the season right now, and if I wanted to play, I could play,” Kane said. “It’s just making sure we don’t make it any worse and I’m fully 100 percent ready to go.”
Marian Hossa is still in Slovakia as he attended a Pavol Demitra’s memorial on Thursday, and will join the team soon. The Blackhawks aren’t too worried that Patrick Sharp could miss the entire preseason.
“Sharp was in excellent shape,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “Through that process of taking the necessary time to heal himself up to get ready, he’s a finely tuned athlete. He can play through a lot of different injuries. We saw that last year how quickly he got back, particularly at a critical time of the year.”
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov won’t be taking the ice with teammates today:
“I wish I could skate with the team tomorrow or today, but I want to be 100-per-cent sure I’m healthy,” Markov said Friday as he discussed his rehabilitation from major knee surgery. “I don’t want to come back for a few games. I’d like to stay here for the long term, and that’s what we’re looking for.”Markov, who signed a 3 year, $17.5 million deal in the off-season, has had 2 surgeries to repair is his ACL in his right knee.
“He said the healing is good,” Markov said of his meeting with Andrews. “Everything in the knee, like the bones and muscles, is good. I had a little swelling at that time, but he said it’s normal for a second surgery.”
If Markov is out for an extended period of time, GM Pierre Gauthier may have to go looking for a defenseman.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson plans on cutting his training camp roster from 70 to 40 by Wednesday and down to 26 or 27 by next weekend.
“I’m cutting through all the B.S. here and getting right down to the NHL players,” Wilson said. “I’m not worried about where we’re going to be in two or three years. My primary responsibility is making the playoffs this year and getting off to a good start.”
Wilson would have 2 exhibition game with 40 players and 3 games with close to regular season lineup.
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators Mike Fisher’s recovery from shoulder surgery is going slower than he had hoped.“I’m just going to kind of work my way in here, just trying to get stronger. Still not ready for contact or anything. But I am skating and starting to shoot a bit, and it’s coming. I’m just really not sure as far as timetable. I just have to be patient.”
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien weighed in well under the 269 pounds he weighed in last year in Atlanta. Josh Rimer via twitter: Rimer is hearing that the Jets are considering moving Dustin Byfuglien back to forward this year.
- David Pollak via twitter: Antti Niemi said he should be back playing in a few days.
Kubina and Horton are concussion free … Byfuglien passed breathalyser … Jets invite 4 to camp, Kings invite Hunter … Calgary man interested in Blues
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 14th, 2011
- Erik Erendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina has been declared concussion free and is ready for the start of training camp. Kubina wants to see a standard established for headshots and not on a case-by-case basis.
“You know, the headshots, it’s always going to happen in hockey,” said Kubina, who received a three-game suspension in March for an inadvertent elbow to Chicago’s Dave Bolland. “I would just like to see that if you hit somebody in the head, whether it’s accidental or not, it should be the same for everybody, whatever it is, three games, five games, 10 games, it’s up to the league. It can’t be like before where some guys don’t get anything while some guys a few games here or a few games there.
“If you elbow somebody in the head, it should be the same for everyone, that’s how I feel.”
- Ross Romaniuk and Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Dustin Byfuglien’s lawyer said that he passed a breathalyser test after he was arrested in Minnesota on suspected drunk boating. Byfuglien didn’t feel it was necessary to submit a urine sample after he passed the breathalyser. His blood-alcohol test registered 0.03%, 0.08% is the legal limit.
- Winnipeg Free Press: The Jets have invited goalie David Aebischer, and forwards Troy Bodie, David Koci and Janne Pesonen to training camp on a pro tryout.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: A source is saying that Calgary businessman Max Chambers has been in discussions with the St. Louis Blues ownership about purchasing the team. Chambers at one point was interested in the Coyotes. Bryan Trottier is the one of the front man in Chambers’ group. Chambers entered as a potential owner “last few weeks,” the source said, and he has “all the financing in place that would allow him to proceed quickly.” The firm conducting the sale, Game Plan LLC, has indicated that it is possible that the sale could be done by the start of the season. They have been trying to sell the team since last March.
- Elliotte Friedman of CBC.ca: Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said that he wanted to bring in defenseman Sheldon Souray before signing him on July 1st but he couldn’t afford it until he was bought out by the Oilers.
- Todd Cordell via twitter: Cordell makes note that CSNNE is reporting that Bruins forward Nathan Horton is symptom free from his concussion and is ready for the season.
- Jim Matheson via twitter: Ryan Whitney (ankle) and Ales Hemsky (shoulder) are still recovering from their surgeries and may not play in the Oilers early exhibition games.
- Eric Stephens via twitter: After being bought out by the Devils in early August, Trent Hunter may be heading to the LA Kings camp on a tryout.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: Brad Winchester turned down a 1-way contract and several 2-way offers before he accepted a tryout from the Sharks.
- Arthur Staple via twitter: Staple thinks it’s a no-doubter that Mark Streit is named the Islanders next captain.
Sharp out 3-4 weeks … Bogosian without contract but with teammates … Byfuglien getting charged … Wings could make splash next summer
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 13th, 2011
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp underwent an emergency appendectomy last night and will be recovering for 3 to 4 weeks. If recovery takes the full 4 weeks, he could miss the season opener.
- Ted Wyman of the Winnipeg Sun: Zach Bogosian may still be unsigned, but he is in Winnipeg skating with teammates.
“I wouldn’t come here if I didn’t want to be here,” he told Global. “I’m not obligated to be here until actual training camp. The fact is I want to come in here before camp and get into a routine, get to know some of the new people that I (didn’t) meet last year. It’s good to get into a little bit of a routine.”
Most of the trade rumors involving Bogosian have been preposterous, especially the Bogosian for Scott Gomez. The Jets are just over the salary cap floor, so there is no good reason for them not to get him signed long-term. Bogosian and his agent may be waiting for Luke Schenn and Drew Doughty to sign first.
- Winnipeg Sun: Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien will be getting charged with drunk boating. On August 31st he was “booked for “probable cause” on intoxicated boating, and for allegedly refusing a blood or urine test.”
- Katie Strang of ESPN: The Islanders and free agent Sergei Samsonov had talked earlier in the summer, but according to his agent, “It seems to be dead.” The Islanders were considering Samsonov on a tryout, but his agent said they are in discussions with another team.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Bryan McCabe has had discussions with several teams and is still considering his options. Mike Modano may be leaning towards retirement. Teemu Selanne and Ducks GM Bob Murray talk almost every day as Selanne is testing his knee this week to see if he thinks it can hold up for another season. The Red Wings are just about $5.8 million below the cap this year, and $21 million next year. They have Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart to re-sign at some point this year, but there are currently some big names that could be UFA’s next year: Zach Parise, Shane Doan, Ryan Suter, Ales Hemsky and Alexander Semin. The Rangers named Ryan Callahan their new captain.
- Mike Morreale of NHL.com: Hurricanes 2011 draft pick Victor Rask is debating if he’ll remain in North America for the season or head back to Sweden. His CHL rights are held by the Calgary Hitman of the WHL, or he could play in the AHL with Charlotte. “I haven’t decided yet,” Rask told NHL.com. “I like to play in North America, but have to wait and see what happens. Maybe I will, because it’s good hockey here.” Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford would like to see him stay in North America.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Devan Dubnyk may be splitting time, 50-50 with veteran Nikolai Khabibulin this year. Khabibulin will be 39 in January and carries a $3.75 million price tag this year and next. “Would I like to have a 50-50 split? Ideally, yes,” he said. “But I have to earn every start. I want to keep that mindset.” Dubnyk was 12-13-8 with a 2.71 GAA and .916 SV% last year.
More on Belak … Byfuglien arrested … Kugryshev back to Russia … H. Sedin has sore hip … 10 “under-the-radar” players
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 2nd, 2011
- Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star: Two people who knew Wade Belak said that he did suffer from depression and that he took medication to treat it. Belak’s widow released a statement asking “that everyone remember Wade’s infectious sense of humour, his caring spirit and the joy he brought to his friends, family and fans.”
- Mark Seidel via twitter: Seidel says that Belak did not kill himself and that “any suggestion to the contrary is simply wrong.” In time the truth will come out. He can’t say much about the death, but believes it will be “ruled a horrible accident” when all said and done. He apologizes for the vagueness.
- Steve Buffery of the Toronto Sun: Special assistant with the NHLPA Mathieu Schneider said on the radio that people should stop jumping to conclusions regarding Wade Belak’s death. Schneider said it’s “dangerous and hurtful,” especially to his family, to speculate why he ended his life. Buffery lists a bunch of athletes (not just hockey players) who have taken their lives in the last year.
- Ed Tait and Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien was arrested late Wednesday night on “probable cause for third degree boating while intoxicated and the refusal of a blood or urine test.” He was released from jail 2:23 Thursday morning. He was booked weighing 286 pounds, up from his approximate 245 pounds playing weight last year.
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall is in the final year of his contact, has only played with the Wings, and would like to keep it that way. “Everyone knows I like it here a lot,” Kronwall said. “I want to stay. Hopefully, they want me to stay as well. So whenever they feel it’s the right time to start negotiating we’ll be ready for it.” The Wings will likely start contact talks with Kronwall soon.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Capitals prospect Dmitri Kugryshev is heading back to Russia after playing last year in the AHL. His deal is not the ‘rent’ type, he’ll be signing a valid contract with CSKA. The Capitals will retain his rights.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Andrei Zyuzin wanted to play in the NHL this year, but declined an offer from the Sharks. Zyuzin’s agent said that contact was for well less than a $1 million and he wanted more.
- Gord McIntyre of the Vancouver Province: Cancucks forward Henrik Sedin’s status may be up in the air, more will be known when he skates next week. “I don’t think it [Henrik's sore hip] was too bad, but he felt he needed some time off.”
- Scott Burnside of ESPN: Burnside mentions 10 “Under-the-radar” players who could make an impact this season: Alexei Ponikarovsky (CAR), JS Giguere (COL), Jakub Voracek (PHI), Anthony Stewart (CAR), Andrew Cogliano (ANA), Ian White (DET), James Neal (PIT), Niclas Bergfors (NASH), Mathieu Garon (TB) and Roman Hamrlik (WAS).
- James Mirtle via twitter: David Koci has been invited to the Jets training camp on a tryout.
- Martin Lunden of Swedish Oil by dohfOs: Oilers 2011 1st round pick Oscar Klefbom had his leg cut that required 10 stitches. When the stitches were removed, it was discovered that it was infected. He is on penicillin which prohibits him from playing.
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators GM David Poile said defenseman Francis Bouillon “will probably not be ready for camp.” Mike Fisher is still recovering from shoulder surgery. “I would say we’d probably go a little bit slower with (Fisher) going into training camp to make sure he’s ready and 100 percent going into the season,” Poile said.
Bettman’s 5 step plan … Lemieux sends Bettman letter outlining team fines for suspensions … Gardiner and Hishon sign entry level deals
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on March 15th, 2011
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Gary Bettman outlines the NHL’s 5 step plan. 1. “Brendan Shanahan working with NHLPA to expedite equipment modifications.” 2. “Revised concussion protocol. If player is suspected to have had one, must be removed from the bench for assessement in quiet area.” 3. “Fines and/or suspensions for clubs and coaches of players/teams that rack up high number of suspensions. No details yet.” 4. “Safety engineers to make sure all NHL arenas conform to safe standards and to come up with ideas to “soften” environment.” 5. “Special committee of Shanahan, R Blake, Yzerman, Niuewendyk to continue investigating this issue.”
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Earlier this month, Penguins owner Mario Lemieux sent a letter to Gary Bettman saying that teams should be fined when one of their players is suspended. The fines could range from $50,000 to a $1 million and double for repeat offenders. This might “accountable for the actions of their players,” Lemieux wrote. “We propose instituting a policy of automatically fining a team when one if its players is suspended — with the amount of the fine based on the length of the suspension. This should serve as a disincentive for teams as well as players to employ these kinds of tactics.” Under Lemieux’s plan:
if a player is suspended one or two games, his team would be fined $50,000; three or four games, a $100,000 fine; five to eight games, a $250,000 fine; nine or 10 games, a $500,000 fine; 11-15 games, a $750,000 fine; and more than 15 games, a $1 million fine. Those dollar amounts would double for a repeat offender.
- Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Thrashers defenseman Dustin Byfuglien is questionable for tonight’s game with a lower body injury. Byfuglien miss a game last week due to injury. He’s 3rd in team scoring with 50 points, 19 goals and 31 assists. The Thrashers have recalled Noah Welch. Ondrej Pavelec will start in net tonight againt the Devils.
- Brad Zeimer of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks defenseman Sami Salo left last night’s game after blocking a shot in the forearm/elbow area. Coach Vigneault added, “It’s not broken, so he will be re-evaluated (Tuesday). We’ll see how he feels.” Yann Sauve could be recalled if Salo is out.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche have signed 2010 1st round pick, Joey Hishon, to an entry level contract. Hishon was drafted 17th overall last year, and recorded 36 goals and 83 points in 48 games this year. He won’t play for the Avs this season.
- Michael Russo via twitter: Sources are saying the Maple Leafs have signed University of Wisconsin defenseman Jake Gardiner to an entry level deal. Gardiner was a 2009 1st round pick by the Ducks, and was acquired in the Francois Beauchemin trade.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: A good article by Strickland, who raises the question “Would larger ice reduce head injuries?”
Audio from Kaberle, Burke, Byfuglien and Cherry calling Lemieux a phony and hypocrite
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Audio on February 16th, 2011
- Tomas Kaberle Audio from AM 640: “We don’t want to distract the team or anything like that,” said Kaberle. “If I’m no [longer] needed on this team then we can talk about it. Obviously we’ve still got 12 days to go and like I said right now it’s nothing to talk about.”
- Brian Burke Audio from the Fan 590: Burke talks with Greg Brady, Nick Kypreos and Doug Maclean about Grabovski and concussion question, Tomas Kaberle situation, Beauchem and Versteeg trades, Phil Kessel, and Mike Komisarek’s struggles
- Dustin Byfuglien Audio from the Fan 590: “Dustin Byfuglien joins Hockey Central to talk about his new contract with the Thrashers, his time with the Trashers so far and his experience at the NHL all-star game this year.”
- Don Cherry Audio – Grapeline from the Fan 590: “Don speaks out against Mario Lemieux’s threat to leave the NHL if fighting isn’t taken seriously.” Cherry calls Lemieux a phony and a hypocrite.
If anyone knows any other radio stations/sites that offer audio for individuals interviews, please let me know as I’ve only found a couple. My email address can be found in the ‘contact’ tab.
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