Posts Tagged Jordan Staal

What Do Recent Injuries Mean For Penguins Trade Gameplan?

From time to time we may begin featuring an article from other sources. Today’s entry comes from of TheHockeyWriters.com.

Pittsburgh head coach Dan Bylsma announced that James Neal and Jordan Staal are the latest injury victims during his ‘State of the IR’ report on Sunday. Staal suffered a left knee injury and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, while Neal broke his foot blocking a shot on Saturday night against New Jersey and will miss “weeks, not days,” according to Bylsma.

The Penguins were already without the services of Sidney Crosby (concussion-like symptoms), Kris Letang (concussion), Arron Asham (upper body), and Dustin Jeffrey (knee), before penalty-killing specialist Craig Adams also had to be helped off the ice on Sunday with a lower-body injury.

Losing Neal and Staal simultaneously is even more difficult to swallow given their contributions on special teams for the Penguins. Neal leads the entire NHL with 10 powerplay goals and Staal is widely regarded as one of the league’s best penalty-killing and shutdown centers.

Following a 2010-11 season that saw Pittsburgh lose 350 man-games due to injury, it was hard to envision a tougher scenario for the team to overcome. With Neal and Staal now out of the lineup for an extended period of time and no timetables available for Crosby and Letang’s return, the Penguins, who currently sit in 8th in the Eastern Conference, could be facing disaster. The team is already on pace for 431 man-games lost due to injury this year.

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Ryan more likely than Getzlaf to be traded … Ruutu will draw interest … Carter separates shoulder … Penguins lose Staal, Neal and Adams

  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson doesn’t see the Ducks trading Ryan Getzlaf. A league executive said that Bobby Ryan is the most likely to be moved. Philadelphia seems like a logical bet for Ryan. Matheson can see James van Riemsdyk in a package. The Ducks might ask for Brayden Schenn and may ask for a defenseman like Braydon Coburn. Sean Couturier is off-limits. The Maple Leafs would love Getzlaf but Burke may not have the pieces to get him. What would he offer: Lupul, Gardiner or Kadri? The Oilers would be interested. Nugent-Hopkins, Hall and Eberle are untouchable which would leave players like: Sam Gagner, Ladislav Smid, Tom Gilbert, Magnus Paajarvi, Oscar Klefbom, Tyler Pitlick, Teemu Hartikainen, Jeff Petry. The Blackhawks are looking for another defenseman with Hurricanes Tim Gleason or Bryan Allen making sense. They’d like Lubomir Visnovsky, but he under contract for next year with a $3 million salary but a $5.6 million cap hit. The Capitals, Penguins and Sharks could be interested in Hurricanes winger Tuomo Ruutu as a rental.
  • Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: The Oilers are actively looking for a defenseman and there is an outside chance they shut Ryan Whitney down for the season. Winger Ales Hemsky’s time in Edmonton could be coming to an end.
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: Bruins Brad Marchand will have his hearing today at noon with Brendan Shanahan. Ducks J.F. Jacques will likely have a hearing at some point for his hit on R.J. Umberger.
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Vladimir Tarasenko was traded to Dynamo Moscow, which likely means he’ll be joining the St. Louis Blues over the summer.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets forward  Jeff Carter suffered a separated shoulder last night. “We’ll see where he’s at and we’ll get more detail tomorrow,” coach Scott Arniel said. He suffered the injury on a blindsided hit by Francois Beauchemin. Winger Cody Bass won’t have shoulder surgery, he’ll rehab it and hopes to play again this season. Forward Mark Letestu will have surgery today on a broken pinky finger metacarpal and will be out 6 weeks.
  • Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins have lost Jordan Staal for 4 to 6 weeks with a knee injury. He has damage to his MCL and it won’t require surgery. Winger James Neal broke his foot on Saturday. “In the next few days we’ll see what that timetable looks like, but it’s weeks, not days,” Bylsma said. Craig Adams injured his knee during practice after a collision in yesterday’s practice.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller pulled himself in the 1st period of last night’s game. Iiro Tarkki filled in for Hiller. The Ducks usual backup Dan Ellis re-injured his groin on Saturday and will be out for 4 weeks. Kyle Palmieri and Jean-Francois Jacques were recalled. Andrew Gorden was assigned to the AHL and George Parros was put on the IR.
  • Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp suffered an upper-body injury in the 1st and didn’t return. “We’re going to have some tests with him (and we’ll) know more (Monday),” Quenneville said.
  • Katie Carrera of the OC Register: Capitals Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green didn’t practice yesterday. Though no update was given other than being day-to-day, it seems they are bracing for not having either in the lineup against the Kings, and possibly longer. Lines at practice: Semin-Johansson-Knuble, Ovechkin-Laich-Brouwer, Chimera-Halpern-Ward, Hendricks-Perreault-Beagle. Defensive pairings: Alzner-Carlson, Hamrlik-Wideman, Erskine-Orlov, Schultz.

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Kings and Canadiens coaching situation … Ruutu ignore rumors … Injury notes on Boyle, Little, Lehtonen, Giroux, Couturier, Armstrong and Michalek

  • Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: The Kings are expected to announce the hiring of new head coach Darryl Sutter sometime today. He’s expected to make his Kings coaching debut on Thursday against the Ducks.
  • Kevin Allen via twitter: The Canadiens CEO Molson said that the “ability to express himself in both French and English” will be “very” important when they are looking to pick their next head coach.
  • Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu will be an UFA at the end of the season, and is trying to ignore the trade rumors. “I just live my life day by day,” he said, smiling again. “I don’t think I’m the only player with my name out there.”
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Flyers have made plenty of trades with the Hurricanes in the past, so they could target Bryan Allen or Tim Gleason. The Oilers could use a puck moving defenseman. The Oilers could move Ales Hemsky at the deadline if they decide not to re-sign him. They could get a prospect defenseman and a draft pick. Matheson wouldn’t be surprised if the Oilers were looking at Slava Voynov of the Kings.
  • David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle said he’s been playing with a broken foot since Nov. 10th. “My game is skating and I was definitely a step behind for many of those games and a little slower out there. I didn’t have the energy to get into every play,” he said. “It’s a factor. I don’t want to sit here and make excuses.”
  • Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets center Bryan Little blocked a shot off his foot on Saturday and his day-to-day. They will see today if he is able to go. Antti Miettinen skated with Tanner Glass and Jim Slater and should get into to his first Jets game.
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen has missed 9 games with a groin injury, but is targeting to return after Christmas. “First I have to have a couple more days just with the goalie coach,” Lehtonen said. “Then I need to start skating with the team and have a couple of those days, and then after that, we’ll see when I play. We haven’t talked about any dates, but probably sometime around Christmas.”
  • Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: A source has said that Flyers forward Sean Couturier is only sore, and not concussed after taking a Kimmo Timonen shot off the head.
  • Tony Ambrogio via twitter: Maple Leafs winger Colby Armstrong is out with a concussion that he suffered on Saturday after a collision with Ryan Kesler.
  • Brent Wallace via twitter: Senators Milan Michalek is still listed as day-to-day. It is possible that he skates today, but not definite. Ian Mendes via twitter: Filip Kuba and Sergei Gonchar are both expected to play tonight against the Sabres.
  • Andrew Gross via twitter: Rangers defenseman Marc Staal on contact drills: “Close, in a few days if everything goes well.”
  • Katie Strang via twitter: Rangers Steve Eminger is out 8 weeks. Jeff Woywitka is questionable for tonight. Tim Erixon will be recalled as insurance.

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Pronger done for the year, and the fallout … Rolston out with concussion … Ohlund could be done for year … Lehtonen to practice within week

  • Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: After being examined by neurologists on Wednesday, Chris Pronger will be shut down for the regular season and playoffs. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren:

    “After consultation with respected concussion specialists Dr. Joseph Maroon and Dr. Micky Collins, it is the opinion of both doctors that Chris is suffering from severe post concussion syndrome.

    “It is the recommendation of doctors Maroon and Collins that Chris not return for the remainder of the 2011-12 season or playoffs. Chris will continue to receive treatment and therapy with the hope that he can get better.”

    The Flyers are likely going to wait a bit before the look to add a defenseman.

  • Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Burnside and LeBrun talk Pronger and concussions. A source told LeBrun that they won’t immediately look to add a Dman. Closer to the trade deadline day (Feb. 27th), they could look at Ryan Suter, Shea Weber, Sergei Gonchar, Tim Gleason, Jaroslav Spacek and Bryan Allen.
  • Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bernstein wonders if bringing back the clutch and grab is the only way to slow the game down. Would you want the pre-lockout style of hockey to return?
  • Luke DeCock via twitter: DeCock wouldn’t be surprised if the Hurricanes are one of the first calls the Flyers make in search of a defenseman.
  • TSN Insider Trading link: Panel talks Pronger injury and what next for Flyers. Kings and Darryl Sutter. Messier and the money the Canucks owe him.
  • Jim Matheson via twitter: After the Christmas roster freeze, which begin on Dec. 19th, Matheson thinks the Oilers need to make a trade to shake things up.
  • Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund has been out all year with bad knees, and could be done for the season. He had surgeries on both knees on Oct. 11th to clean out “loose bodies.”

    “It just hurts him a lot more than what he would have expected or the doctors would have expected,” Boucher said. “It’s … difficult to manage because you can’t do much more than what’s been done. It’s pain tolerance. It’s a question of mobility. It’s a question of can he skate at the level in the NHL he needs to follow.”

  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen could return to practice within a week. “It’s very positive right now,” Nieuwendyk said. “We’re not going to rush him, and we’re taking every precaution, but there is a chance that he’s a practice player within a week, so that’s great news.”
  • Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Avs winger David Jones has a groin injury and missed last night’s game. Brandon Yip (groin), Chuck Kobasew (head), Peter Mueller (head), Mark Olver (head) and Ryan Wilson (head) are also out.

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Sutter to Kings? Jets claim Miettinen … Giroux out with concussion … Downie fined … Campbell fractures foot … Starting goalies

  • Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Sources confirm that the Kings have officially sought permission from the Calgary Flames to speak with Darryl Sutter. Josh Rimer via twitter: Rimer is hearing that Sutter could be named the new Kings coach tomorrow.
  • Philadelphia Flyers on NHL.com: Flyers GM Paul Holmgrenon Claude Giroux:

    “Claude reported not feeling very good today. Over the past few days, his symptoms have gradually gotten worse.  He will be out indefinitely with a concussion”

  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Lightning forward Steve Downie was fined $2,500 for leaving the bench on a legal line change to get into an altercation.
  • Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said that Jeff Skinner will be evaluated by doctors in Raleigh before a timetable on his return is given.
  • Joe Haggerty via twitter: Bruins forward Greg Campbell has a fractured foot and will be out against the Kings and Senators.
  • Jonas Siegel via twitter: Maple Leafs forward Matthew Lombardi skated with teammates for the 1st time since his shoulder injury.
  • Andrew Gross via twitter: Rangers forward Michael Rupp has been cleared for contact. He’s not quite ready for game action, but will be on the trip.
  • Joe Haggerty via twitter: Tuukka Rask will start in net for the Bruins against the Kings. Tim Thomas will start in net for the Bruins tomorrow against the Senators.

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Injury notes involving Crosby, Chara, 5 Jets, Michalek, Staal, Stastny, Skinner, Nabokov and Hall

  • 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.”
  • 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.
  • 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.”

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Penguins signings likely done … Moves coming in NJ … Maple Leafs notes … Panthers offered Vokoun a 4 year deal

  • Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: The Penguins have about $2.1 million in cap space, but it’s unlikely they will make any more signings. They want to be around $1.5 million under the cap during the season to give them the room to bring someone in at a later date. The Pens may be tempted to put Malkin and Staal on the same line again this year. “I don’t think you can say ‘Malkin as a winger failed’ because Malkin as a winger never was tried with Crosby and Staal in the lineup,” Bylsma said.
  • Mark Everson of the NY Post: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello,

    “We’ll be doing some subtraction. There will not be a salary cap problem here,” Lamoriello told The Post yesterday. “There will be different transactions taking place over a short period of time.”

    Players that could be affected are Bryce Salvador ($2.9 million cap hit), Brian Rolston ($5.1 million) and Dainius Zubrus ($3.4 million).

  • Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: The Leafs have brought in Tim Connolly, John-Michael Liles, Cody Franson, Matthew Lombardi, and added 2 new coaches in the past couple weeks. Mike Komisarek’s role will be greatly reduced. JS Giguere wanted to stay but was told no. There wasn’t much attempt to keep Christian Hanson and Tim Brent.
  • Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Clarke MacArthur has been monitoring the free agent signings, looking for comparables for his arbitration case later this summer. MacArthur could be getting a nice deal if they get to arbitration. You have to wonder if the Leafs would walk away if it was too much.
  • Bruce Garrioch via twitter: The Panthers last offer to Tomas Vokoun was reportedly 4 years and $10 million. (He signed a 1 year deal with the Capitals for $1.5 million)
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: McKenzie thinks the Coyotes will gauge Keith Yandle’s trade value and consider if they should re-sign or trade.

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Pronger has back, hamstring injury? Video of Adam McQuaid crashing into boards … Penguins off-season … Lou wants Hitch? Stars sale getting closer

  • Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: Chris Pronger missed last night’s game with an ‘undisclosed injury’, sources say he hurt his back at the end of Round 1 against the Sabres or before the start of Round 2. He may also have a hamstring injury. Pronger left Game 1 against the Bruins with about 2 minutes left in the 3rd period.
  • Matt Kalman of the Boston Herald: Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid crashed heavily into the boards late in the 1st period last night (video at bottom of this entry). He was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Coach Claude Julien said that he would join the team for their trip back to Boston.
  • Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: The Kings have both Jonathan Bernier and Jonathan Quick under contract for the next 2 years. Quick will make $1.8 million, and Bernier will get $1.25 million next season, so they could keep them as a cheap 1-2 punch. Hammond wonders is now is the time to move one. The Kings could use a “big-time scorer.”
  • Ron Cook pf the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Will the Penguins continue with their plan of playing Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal on the same line next season? Injuries basically derailed the plan this past season. Or will they play James Neal with Malkin and have Staal as the 3rd line center with Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy? Will Crosby center the successful line of Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis, who is a UFA? Craig Adams and Mike Rupp are UFAs. Dupuis and Max Talbot could be gone because of salary constraints. To bring up some of their young kids on a full-time basis, they might have to let some UFA’s walk. The Pens have 7 defenseman under contract for next season, do they consider moving one of them for a winger for Crosby or Malkin?
  • David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: It was originally rumored that Tom Gaglardi was offering around $250 million to by the Dallas Stars and 1/2 interest in American Airlines Center. A source said that may be incorrect, and it could be closer to $125 million. The $125 million would be the cash part of the deal, and Gaglardi would assume debt from the Stars and the arena, which would make the total sale price to be higher. The price and terms of the deal have basically been agreed upon, and once complete they will take it to the US Bankruptcy Court. Mark Cuban showed some interest, but would not pay more than $80 for the Stars and that he would cover losses for up to 3 years and $75 million. The team could have lost $25 million this past season, another report was $15 million.

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Oils, Flames, and Canucks have some pieces they may move … Savard may be headed to LTIR … Jordan Staal could be suspended (with video)

  • Bob McKenzie of TSN: Canucks forwards Mason Raymond and/or Mikael Samuelsson could become trade bait to upgrade their top 6. They may also be looking for a 4th line center. The Calgary Flames could look to move Steve Staios or Anton Babchuk. They could look for draft picks for Alex Tanguay, Brendan Morrison and Curtis Glencross, and might look at moving Robyn Regehr if they fall out of the playoff race. If the Oilers are going to move Andrew Cogliano or Ladislav Smid, they’d want young players in return. They may also try to move Dustin Penner and/or Ales Hemsky. There is an outside chance Sheldon Souray will be put on re-entry waivers, but it’s more likely he’ll be moved in the off-season.
  • Joe MacDonald of ESPN Boston: The Bruins are having internal discussions whether or not to shut down Marc Savard for the season. Before a decision is made, he’ll be re-evaluated today. “With the time between concussions, and with the severity of the concussion [last March], and the time between when he basically stopped having concussion symptoms, [shutting him down] is certainly something you would have to consider,” Chiarelli said. If they shut him down, they can put him LTIR and use his cap to bring in an impact player.
  • Seth Lakso of NESN: The Bruins might have an interest in Senators defenseman Chris Phillips. They currently have about $1.7 million in cap space, and could increase if Savard is put on LTIR. The Bruins may have to include a roster player to bring in Phillips contract.
  • Fluto Fhinzawa of the Boston Globe: The Bruins are looking to some more offensive consistency from their centers, and may look to replace Savard’s  offense closer to the deadline. Chiarelli has said that with so many teams within playoff reach, the current market is sparse. They have depth down the middle, so they may look at the wing and on the blueline. The Bruins are unlikely to part with the 1st round pick they got from the Maple Leafs, but have their own that they might be willing to deal.
  • Dan Rosen of NHL.com: Penguins GM Ray Shero,
    “I can only speak for myself and I’ve talked to a few (GMs),” Shero said. “I haven’t talked to all the teams, but I have kept in touch with a few guys. With our team I have a pretty good idea of what we want to do so I’m not contacting every team. You do that a week or two before the deadline to make sure you’re covering everything off, doing your due diligence, but it hasn’t been that active now. As you get through the All-Star break it tends to pick up and we’ll see that over the next few weeks of course.”

  • EJ Hradek via twitter: Hradek says the Kings need a top 6 forward, but to have patience as they are building for the long run and some key pieces are in place.
  • Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune: The net is getting crowded in Tampa with Mike Smith finishing his AHL conditioning stint. The Lightning now have 3 goaltenders on their roster. “I’m just going to let the situation evolve a little bit and see how it goes,” said GM Steve Yzerman. Yzerman added “But ultimately we have to do what makes sense for the team, and in any trade you shop around and you try to make the best deal that you can if that’s what you’re looking to do.” Ryan Malone practiced but still wasn’t ready to return from his ‘mid-body injury,’ but could be ready for their next game.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter:  The Penguins say Jordan Staal will automatically be suspended, but the NHL will review it. Staal will be suspended ‘x’ amount of games, have suspension rescinded, or fined for the incident.
    Jordan Staal’s punch on Brandon Prust

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Staal could go in the Classic…tomorrow night? Beauchemin drawing interest … Trade talks heating up

  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Trade talks are heating up with a number of teams calling the Leafs and asking about a number of players. There isn’t an offer yet worth taking.  Francois Beauchemin and his limited no-trade clause are drawing interest. More talk around the league.
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: McKenzie senses there will be some trades in the next couple of days, though may not be big ones, possibly Toronto.
  • Curtis Zupke of the OC Register: Ryan Getzlaf has been put on IR by the Ducks with multiple nasal fractures. Bobby Ryan will now move up to the first power play with Perry, Selanne, Visnovsky and Fowler.

Happy New Year’s to everyone, and expect tomorrow mornings post to be a little later than usual.

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Sutter steps down in Calgary …. Rolston assigned to AHL with purpose of re-entry waivers … Svatos signs with Blues … Starting goalies

  • TSN: Darryl Sutter has stepped down as the Calgary Flames general manager effective immediately. Jay Feaster, who was the teams assistant GM, will take over as GM .

    “We will move forward under a new administration with Jay leading our hockey operations as Acting General Manager,” said King. “For the remainder of this season, Jay will be provided the opportunity to evaluate the team from the GM’s chair and build a long term plan. We believe that while we continue to compete for a playoff position this season, this period will provide both the organization and Jay time to decide on critical future decisions.”

  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Brian Rolston has been assigned to the AHL and will be placed on re-entry waivers. Darren Dreger via twitter: Rolston will be available for half price, a couple teams said they would be interested in him on re-entry when he was originally waived. Capgeek via twitter: If he’s claimed on re-entry waivers, he’ll still count $2,531,250 against the cap.
  • Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Marek Svatos signs with the St. Louis Blues. A 2-way deal that will pay him $800,000 in the NHL and $105,000 in the AHL. He must clear waivers first because he was playing in the KHL before.
  • Arthur Staple via twitter: Michael Del Zotto did not practice due to groin injury, and may not play tomorrow (may not have played even if groin was fine).
  • Will DePaoli via twitter: It doesn’t look like Jordan Staal will be playing in the Winter Classic. He’ll have more x-rays tonight.

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Burke talks music and Leafs (audio) … Leafs trade assets … Would Devils trade Brodeur? Staal skates … DiPietro to IR … Video of Cooke hit on Yandle

  • Fan 590 Audio: Brian Burke was on the morning show yesterday morning talking about music and the Maple Leafs.
  • 98.5 The Sports Hub Audio: Bruins President Cam Neely joined Felger and Mazz to break down the team’s recent slump. Is Neely happy with the job head coach Claude Julien is doing? Will any moves be made? Neely gives us the answers.
  • Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Cox thinks the Maple Leafs have some trade assets that could help the future. Names that might come up at the trade deadline or before are Francois Beauchemin, Clarke MacArthur, Mikhail Grabovski and Tomas Kaberle.
  • Scott Burnside of ESPN: The New Jersey Devils season is all but over, 18 points out with no signs of things turning around. Could they look at trading Martin Brodeur to a contender? He has another year left at $5.2 million. Would the Washington Capitals or Tampa Bay Lightning be interested? The LA Kings may look into adding another defenseman before the trade deadline, as Willie Mitchell’s has been unable to remain healthy. He’s played only 15 games and is week-to-week with a knee injury.
  • Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Vancouver might trade Kevin Bieksa when Sami Salo returns (it’s still not known exactly when he’ll return). Rick Rypien, who left the Canucks for personal reasons, isn’t expected to be back with the team this season, and it’s possible that he may never return. Former NHLer, current AHLer, Jonathan Cheechoo has a bruised kidney and some internal bleeding. The Islanders may look to trade winger Matt Moulson if he wants more money than they want to give him. The Isles may offer Doug Weight one more kick at the can and send him to a contender if he wants too.
  • Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Jordan Staal skated for 30 minutes yesterday with their strength and conditioning coach. He didn’t wear a glove over his surgically repaired hand, nor did he do any stick handling drills. It’s been 50 days since the surgery.
  • Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: Even though the NY Islanders 3rd sting goal, Nathan Lawson, got the start of Dwayne Roloson, a trade of Roloson is not imminent. Botta thinks the Isles would ask for a 2nd round pick for Roloson if they decide to trade him.
  • The Globe and Mail: The New York Islanders have put Rick DiPietro and defenceman Mike Mottau on injured reserve. DiPietro will be eligible to return in 7 days. Mottau will have surgery on his hip and will be out the remainder of the season.
  • Mike Vogel via twitter: Washington Capitals winger Matt Bradley has a broken finger and will miss 2-4 weeks.
  • Yesterday @jimbalsillie tweeted “Hi again, social friends! Very early morning. Nashville bound today! And not to learn how to write a country song. Stay tuned.” Later on Bob McKenzie let the world know it was a fake account and to get back to Christmas shopping.
  • Matt Cooke’s elbow to Keith Yandle from Sunday night. Yandle called for a 5 game suspension. What do you think of it?

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