Posts Tagged KHL

CBA talks continue … Bruins talking with several players … Malkin and Kovalchuk to KHL if lockout … Canucks made offer for Doan

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 28th, 2012

  • Aaron Ward via twitter: “they (players) may take less in the future,but not less than they already have.If NHL offer similar to first,we’re counting the days.” … “Key indication that CBA negotiations will move forward,if in fact NHL does table a proposal,is if the offer addresses NHLPA position that “
  • Dan Rosen via twitter: CBA talks today will include only Gary Bettman, Bill Daly, Donald Fehr and Steve Fehr and will focus on core economics.
  • The Fourth Period: Talks between the Bruins and Tyler Seguin are ongoing. The Bruins stepped up their efforts after Jeff Skinner and Taylor Hall signed. A Seguin deal could be in the 6 to 8 year range, and worth between $5 million and $7 million. The Bruins are also working on deals for Andrew Ference, Brad Marchand and Milan Lucic. All have 1 year left on their deals.
  • Slava Malamud via twitter: Sport-Express reports that if there is a lengthy lockout, Evgeni Malkin will play with CSKA, Ilya Kovalchuk for SKA, with Alex Ovechkin and Pavel Datsyuk to be determined. Magnitogorsk VP denies the Malkin to CSKA, saying they have the KHL contract arbitration ruling on their side.
  • Will DePaoli via twitter: Almost all of JP Barry’s Russian clients will play in the KHL if there is a lockout. Said that nothing was final regarding Malkin.
  • Dave Molinari via twitter: Penguins GM Ray Shero is not aggressively looking for a top-pairing defenseman, “Barring something unforeseen, we’ll go into training camp with group we have.” The main reason is they are rare and none are available at this time.
  • Josh Yohe via twitter: Shero on Shane Doan, “We have interest. But he has made it clear he wants to stay in Phoenix.”
  • Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: Sergei Samsonov’s agent said yesterday that they are still speaking with several teams, and expects talks to extend into September. The Sharks are believed to be one of the teams interested.

    “Sergei is healthy, fit and determined to make a successful comeback into the NHL,” Abbott said. “The labor uncertainty, however, is affecting the process and the looming lockout complicates the matter.”

    Darren Dreger via twitter: The Canucks re-signed Eddie Lack to a 2 year deal worth $1.5 million.

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CBA talks … Kronwall may join brother in KHL if lockout … Oilers lack depth at center … AHL to test no-touch icing

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

  • Chris Johnson via twitter: CBA talks are set to start at 9:30 am this morning, with economic issues the main topic of the day.
  • Aaron Portzline via twitter: “People on both sides of the aisle believe next couple days in NHL-NHLPA talks could go a long way to determining how long stalemate lasts.” … “If NHL and NHLPA become hardened in their positions, demanding the other negotiate off their proposal, this could take a long time.” … “Can the two proposals be melded together? Certainly. And that will be the first sign of significant progress, first sign of hope.”
  • Dennis Bernstein via twitter: There is speculation out of Sweden that Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall could join his brother Steffen with Lokomotiv in the KHL over Djurgarden of the SEL if there is a long lockout.
  • Bruce McCurdy of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers lack depth at center, and are not very big. Their top 4 projects to be Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Sam Gagner, Shawn Horcoff, and Eric Belanger. If one was to get injured, Anton Lander may be their replacement. Chris VandeVelde could also be an option. Next down the list are centers Mark Zarcobello, Tyler Pitlick and Ryan Martindale.

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Raymond-Van settle … Pens close on Semin, big KHL offer false … Thomas-Flames rumors makes no sense … Rick Nash trade Saga

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 10th, 2012

  • Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Alexander Semin is reportedly close to signing with the Penguins. Notable free agents still unsigned: Andrei Kostitsyn, Wojtek Wolski, Peter Mueller, Dominic Moore, Teemu Selanne, Kyle Wellwood, Jamie Langenbrunner, Jason Arnott, Carlo Colaiacovo, Jaroslav Spacek, Pavel Kubina, Kurtis Foster, Dan Ellis and Brent Johnson.
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: The reports of Alexander Semin having a 3 year, $30 million offer from the KHL are false on both term and money. Semin said yesterday there is no timeline on a decision where he would sign. He wouldn’t confirm teams that have made offers.
  • Andrew Walker via twitter: Brandon Prust said that the Flames, Oilers, Predators and Rangers were interested in him on July 1st.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Rick Nash trade saga could end with one phone call, or it could drag in to the regular season. Not one Canadian team is on Nash’s list: Bruins, Red Wings, Rangers, Flyers, Penguins and Sharks.

    “It says he wants to get away,” said former NHL defenseman Brian Engblom, now an NBC analyst. “Every guy is different. Look at the kid (Justin Schultz) that just signed with Edmonton as a free agent. From what I could tell, he only wanted to play in Canada. I played in Canadian and U.S. markets, and I can tell you, it is different. To each his own. Some guys thrive on being under that microscope, of having that daily pressure of everybody watching you. And some guys really don’t like that.”

    “I don’t think Pittsburgh is a great fit,” said former NHL forward Ray Ferraro, now a broadcaster with TSN. “I mean, he’d probably score 8-10 more goals than he does now, but I just don’t think his game is a match with (Sidney) Crosby and (Evgeni) Malkin.”

    “To me, Rick Nash should not touch the puck before the offensive blue line,” said former NHL forward Ed Olczyk, now a broadcaster with the Chicago Blackhawks and NBC Sports. “I mean, yeah, drop the puck back to a defenseman, sure, but he should not be carrying the puck up the ice, and you see that too much, in my opinion.”

    “He’s going to change the way he plays with his next team, you can definitely see that,” Ferraro said. “He’s not playing junior hockey any longer if he ends up in New York (John Tortorella) and Detroit (Mike Babcock), I’ll promise you that. Those coaches will get it out of him in a hurry.”

    GM Scott Howson can’t make a bad deal. From one NHL GM:

    “I don’t blame Scott for waiting this out. He’s not supposed to do what’s right or convenient for the other teams in the league; he’s supposed to do what’s best of his club. I’d ask for the moon, too. You can’t give away a player like that.”

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JVR willing to go to Blue Jackets? Leafs can only improve through trade … Jagr may interest Wings … Pavelec’s KHL offer

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 21st, 2012

  • Aaron Portzline via twitter: “Have it on good authority Flyers James van Riemsdyk would be more than willing to come to #CBJ if such a trade came to pass.”
  • Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: The only way to improve the Maple Leafs is through the trade route. Burke has no desire to trade Jake Gardiner. Players who aren’t going anywhere are: Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, John-Michael Liles and James Reimer. Rumors will likely surround Luke Schenn until he’s actually traded. Matthew Lombardi, Clarke MacArthur and Colby Armstrong all carry a $3 million cap hit or more, and could help a team get to the salary floor. Tim Connolly carries a $4.5 million cap hit. Clubs may find Tyler Bozak and his $1.5 million salary attractive, though Burke may not want to move him. Defenseman Carl Gunnarsson could be moved to make room for Korbinian Holzer. Nikolai Kulemin, Matt Frattin and Cody Franson are due qualifying offers by Monday.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Jaromir Jagr interested the Red Wings last season, and will likely interest them again this year. They offered him $2.5 million last year before he signed for $3.3 million with the Flyers. The Wings want to add a top 6 forward, and if they can’t land Zach Parise, Jagr could be part of their backup plan. The Red Wings would like to re-sign Jiri Hudler, but he may test free agency.
  • Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: If Lightning GM Steve Yzerman is going trade one of his 1st round draft picks, it’s likely to be the 19th overall and not the 10th pick, but “I think it’s more likely we use both picks.” Publicly Yzerman’s philosophy has been to draft the best player available, but the 1st round is defenseman heavily and their organizational depth is shallow along the blueline.  Yzerman said they are “not necessarily” targeting a defenseman.

    “It is not a position where we have a lot of guys coming up,” he said. “But all things being equal, we’re going to pick the best player available with the picks that we have.”

    Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec has a 1 year offer worth more than $5 million from St. Petersburg of the KHL. Pavelec reportedly is looking for a 4 year deal worth around $4 million per season. The Jets may be thinking something lower or he may have been re-signed by now. If the Jets don’t want to pay to keep him and decide to look at the trade market, the Maple Leafs would likely be interested, with the Blue Jackets not far behind. Evander Kane’s agent said on Tuesday that there is no truth to the rumor that Kane doesn’t want to re-sign with the Jets, and some talks could happen this weekend.

  • George Malik via twitter: Sports.ru is reporting that Vityaz Chekhov wasn’t successful in bidding for Alexei Kovalev.

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Oilers RFAs … Rangers Nash quest … Karlsson talks contact … Bettman could take over Devils … Pahlsson heading to Sweden

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 18th, 2012

  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers have until June 25th to decide whether to send qualifying offers to their 9 RFAs. Cam Barker is likely gone. They are trying to trade Linus Omark at the draft rather than qualify him. The Oilers will certainly send offers to Sam Gagner, Jeff Petry and Devan Dubnyk. Theo Peckham will likely get qualified, same with AHLer Chris VandeVelde. Hunter Tremblay and Alex Plante are iffy. The Rangers are doubtful to part with Chris Kreider in a Rick Nash deal, but they could dangle Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Derek Stepan, Michael Del Zotto and a 1st round pick. The Blackhawks are asking lots of questions about Malcolm Subban, they draft at #18. Matheson is hearing that the Kings don’t want to trade Jonathan Bernier until they have Jonathan Quick signed to a contract extension. The parameters for Bernier may have been set by the Anders Lindback deal, 2 2nd round picks. The Blue Jackets may not be as sold on Bernier than they were with Lindback. Former Oilers coach Tom Renney spoke with the Capitals about their vacant head coaching position. If the Oilers draft Ryan Murray instead of Nail Yakupov, the Blue Jackets may go with Filip Forsberg over another Russian. Do the small Canadiens then draft another small player in Yakupov (5′ 11″)?
  • Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson on contract talks:

    “Even though we’re early in the discussions, I think we both have a very good dialogue about how things are going to get done. (GM) Bryan (Murray) is a reasonable person. I respect him a lot. I think he knows what to do and the guys I have on my side are very professional as well. They know what to do. Hopefully, it’s not going to be an issue where we don’t see eye-to-eye and don’t agree on things.

    “I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize my future on the team.”

    “I think we’re still in the early stages of things, but everything has been going really well,” Karlsson said. “I feel we have no rush. I think we know where we are with each other. I want to stay and they want to keep me. We have no real issues with each other. We also know that there’s a lot of other things that need to be done as well.

    “I don’t think we’re going to have any problems when it comes to signing a new contract.”

  • Josh Kosman of the NY Post: Gary Bettman is preparing to take control of the New Jersey Devils. A source close to the situation said that Bettman’s office has told potential suitors to be prepared if he moves in, takes over, and pushes Vanderbeek aside. Vanderbeek could be close to a deal to sell a majority stake of the team to a mystery investor, and he would stay on and keep control of the team. The investors money would go towards repaying the lenders some of the $77 million they are owed which is past due. With the Devils making it to the Finals, the lenders extended the deadline from July to August. Before Game 1 of the Finals, Bettman said of Vanderbeek:

    “is working to both refinance the debt on the club and equity-raise, and he appears to be fairly confident that he can pull this off in the next few weeks.”

    Bettman added, “Since I’ve been in touch with the banks on a regular basis, we seem to be on track.”

    If Vanderbeek thinks he’ll lose control of the team, he could put them in bankruptcy and buy himself a couple months. A source added that with their long playoff run, they may break-even rather than lose $20 million.

  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Radulov’s Russian agent told Izvestiya newspaper the Radulov has made a decision on where he’ll play next year and implied it would be the KHL.

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Radulov’s KHL rights traded … Kovalchuk confirms injury … Rangers may look at Nash again … Oilers need to pursue Schultz and keep pick

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 14th, 2012

  • Andrew Gross and Tom Gulitti of North Jersey: Ilya Kovalchuk confirmed that he played through a back injury.

    “It was quite a bit under 100 percent,” DeBoer said when asked how healthy Kovalchuk was during the playoffs. “It’s a back injury. It’s not like a broken bone where you have a real handle on it, but it wasn’t close to 100 percent.”

    Bryce Salvador didn’t sound convinced that he’ll be back with the Devils next year as they have Parise and Brodeur to take care of first. Lou Lamoriello confirmed that they will be keeping this years 1st round pick. They’ll have to surrender it in either 2013 and 2014 as punishment from their initial Ilya Kovalchuk contract.

  • Jim Matheson via twitter: The Oilers needs to be pro-active in convincing Justin Schultz to sign with them without guaranteeing a roster spot, and also to not trade the 1st overall pick.

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SKA after Pavelec … Sullivan to play next year … Wings could target Wideman … Hagman, Blake won’t be back with Ducks

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 12th, 2012

  • Josh Yohe via twitter: Yohe confirms that Penguins Steve Sullivan will play next year. Has had no talks with the Penguins yet. Will DePaoli via twitter: Sullivan’s agent, Steve Bartlett, expects to speak with Pens GM Ray Shero this week to see if Sullivan would be in their plans for next year.
  • Ansar Khan of MLive: Dennis Wideman could be a possible target for the Red Wings this offseason as they are looking to add a top pair of puck moving defenseman. Ryan Suter will be their primary target, but Wideman could be next. He’s a right hand shot that could be partnered with Nicklas Kronwall. It might take a long term deal at $4.5 to $5 million a season to get him.

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Rangers interested in Radulov and others … Top 5 pre-draft trade possibilities … 10 year deal for Crosby? KHL interested in Pavelec

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 10th, 2012

  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers are interested in Alexander Radulov, but are internally weighing the upside of acquiring over players like Rick Nash, Bobby Ryan and Zach Parise. There is reportedly one other team that is closer to acquiring Radulov’s rights. A problem with trading for Nash would what you have to give up to get him and his $7.8 million cap hit. In the new CBA, there is no guarantee that there will be a player salary rollback. The Rangers are not as confident anymore that Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov are 2nd line centers. They may have an interest in Ryan Getzlaf if the Ducks are looking to move him. Jordan Staal would interest them as well. If the Rangers were able to sign Justin Schultz, Michael Del Zotto could become available.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch lists the top 5 pre-draft trade possibilities: 1. Rick Nash – The Rangers, Maple Leafs and Sharks looked at Nash at the trade deadline. Don’t be surprised if the Sabres show some interest. 2. Roberto Luongo – The Lightning, Maple Leafs, Blue Jackets and Blackhawks may be looking for goaltending help. Luongo has a $5.3 million cap hit through 2021-22. 3. Jordan Staal – The Sabres and Blues could be 2 of the many teams interested in Staal. 4. Jonathan Bernier – The Blue Jackets tried to trade for him a last year but couldn’t work out a deal. 5. Tim Thomas – Thomas has said he’s going to sit out next year. He may be dealt to a team looking to get to the salary floor.
  • Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Murphy doesn’t think the Bruins will be interested in Alexander Radulov as he doesn’t fit their team style or concept.
  • HNIC Hotstove Link: Spector’s Hockey via twitter summary: Elliotte Friedman suggested that Sidney Crosby’s new contract could be 10 years. The Penguins and Crosby’s agent are working on a deal that could come by July 1st. Glen Healy thinks that if Crosby is re-signed, Jordan Staal could be traded. Wharnsby believes the Hurricanes could be interested. Wharnsby said the Oilers coaching search could go past the entry draft. Friedman said that there could be increase in trade activity this year as GMs aren’t thrilled with the depth in the free agent crop.
  • Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Elliotte Friedman suggested on the Hotstove that SKA St. Petersburg has made an offer to Jets goalie, Ondrej Pavelec. Pavelec’s agent, Allan Walsh, would not comment. Pavelec made $1.3 million last year and will be looking for a nice raise. Signing Pavelec is a priority for the Jets.

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Twitter notes on: Canadiens, Oilers, Tarasenko, Vokoun, Garrison, Flames, Semin, Sanford and Eakins

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 5th, 2012

  • Bob Stauffer via twitter: The Oilers are down to 5 players for the 1st overall pick according to their head scout Stu MacGregor: Nail Yakupov, Mikhail Grigorenko, Filip Forsberg, Ryan Murray and Griffin Reinhart. Yakupov was in Edmonton yesterday, Grigorenko will meet with them Thursday and Murray will meet with them on Friday.
  • Bob McKenzie  via twitter: The Capitals gave Tomas Vokoun permission to speak with other teams before July 1st. The Penguins made an offer that other teams wouldn’t, including the Maple Leafs.
  • Andy Strickland via twitter: The Panthers will look to trade the rights to defenseman Jason Garrison if they are unable to re-sign him.
  • Roger Millions via twitter: Millions was told the Flames won’t be a cap team anymore. Expected to be around the $55 million mark next year.
  • Leafs PR via twitter: The Maple Leafs have signed their AHL head coach, Dallas Eakins, to a 3 year contract extension.

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Possible landing spots for Bernier … 5 Senators that could be traded … Canadiens still deciding on new coach … Hartley meets with Flames

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 30th, 2012

  • Craig Custance of ESPN: Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier will likely find himself in a different uniform next season.

    “Everybody is high on Bernier,” said an NHL scout. “There’s no question he’s been brought along nicely by L.A. I think there’s a number of teams in the NHL that need a goaltender that covet Bernier.”

    Bernier is set to earn $1.25 million next year and will be a RFA. Tampa Bay is the favorite to land Bernier. Yzerman is looking for young goalie to lead the team, and they have 2 1st round picks in this years draft. The Blue Jackets are another option, though they may be looking someone with a bit more of a track record. Roberto Luongo would be an intriguing option, but would he want to play there, especially if Rick Nash is traded? The Maple Leafs are a long shot. Bernier is not a Francois Allaire butterfly goalie. Plus the Leafs may be looking for a veteran goalie, such as Tomas Vokoun.

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch lists 5 Senators that could be traded this offseason: 1. Nick Foligno – he’s a RFA and will get a qualifying offer, but he likely won’t sign it. 2. Sergei Gonchar – the 35 year old will make $5.5 million next year with a no-movement clause. 3. Robin Lehner – he could challenge Ben Bishop for the backup position if not moved. They weren’t that thrilled with the way he developed last year. 4. Zack Smith – could be moved due to the depth at center, especially if they are able to bring back Chris Kelly. 5. Bobby Butler – moving Butler and his $1.2 million contract may be a miracle. He only scored 6 goals in 56 games last year. If they could get a late round pick for him, they should take it. Buying him out and living with a $200,000 cap hit for the next 2 years could be an option.
  • Josh Rimer via twitter: Rimer has been told by a very solid source that the Canadiens still haven’t decided on who will be their next head coach. They are still talking to candidates. It could still be a couple weeks before they decide. Bob Hartley is a finalist with 2 or 3 others.
  • Calgary Sun: RDS’s Vincent Damphousse said that Bob Hartley has had a 2nd interview with the Flames. There have been reports that the Hartley was to be named the Canadiens new head coach. There may also been some issues with his current coaching contract according to Darrent Dreger:

    “It’s my understanding that there’s some complications with his contract over (in Europe),” Dreger told TSN Radio 990. “It’s a multi-year contract and the people in Zurich aren’t about to rip it up and say ‘Good luck.’ ”

  • David Chere via twitter: Devils lines at practice yesterday: Parise-Zajac-Zubrus; Ponikarovsky-Henrique-Kovalchuk; Elias-Josefson-Clarkson; Carter-Gionta-Bernier.
  • Adam Jahns via twitter: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said they have talked with Patrick Kane about the Madison incident and said they were disappointed.

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Market for Luongo may be shrinking … Parise and Suter may be a free agent package … Coyotes want to lock up Doan and Smith

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on May 25th, 2012

  • TSN: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman went on a Tampa Bay radio station yesterday and said that his search for a starting goalie may not happen through a trade.

    “I think everybody’s trying to find somebody that’s an elite guy,” Yzerman told 620 WDAE on Thursday. “I would say there’s probably five or six elite goaltenders in the league and then there’s a group of good goaltenders, and then there’s a group of teams searching for that guy to lock up and not worry about for the present and the future.

    “My philosophy is I’m trying to find that Hall of Fame goaltender. But good luck trying to do that, it takes time. We’ll find that guy through the draft or unrestricted free agency — that guy isn’t there at this time.”

  • Bob McKenzie Audio: McKenzie doesn’t think there will be much of market for Roberto Luongo as originally thought. The Lightning may be more interested in Jonathan Bernier. The Panthers and Maple Leafs may not be interested in Luongo either. The Leafs may look at Tomas Vokoun as a possible veteran to bring in. Vokoun has an offer from the KHL already.
  • Wyatt Arndt of the Vancouver Province: Canucks coach Alain Vigneault (through google translate and TVASports) was talking about Roberto Luongo and disclosed that “This is what he wants now … And what we must do is [make the best decision] for our organization.”
  • Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News: Zach Parise and Ryan Suter may be determined to play on the same team according to some teams and agents, and the Red Wings may be the favorite to get both. The Wings have the salary cap room, and play a style that gives the team a “reasonable opportunity annually to win he Stanley Cup.”

    “I am assuming that, at least as of right now, they are a package deal,” said one NHL team official, who is aware of the circumstances.

    “They certainly seem to have set it up that way, themselves.”

  • Sarah McLellan via twitter: Coyotes GM Don Maloney’s top priority is to re-sign Shane Doan. He’ll also look at locking up goalie Mike Smith long-term. Michal Rozsival is on crutches but there doesn’t appear to be any structural damage.
  • Andy Strickland via twitter: Still not not known when Gary Bettman will have his ruling for Raffi Torres. Torres may have asked league to count pre-season games as part of his suspension.
  • John Shannon via twitter: Rumors of John Davidson leaving the Blues for the Flames are unfounded. Still under contract with the Blues and loves it there. Has had no talks with the Flames.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Rick Dudley will likely move to the Canadiens before the NHL draft, but he won’t be allowed to work the draft for them.

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

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

8:10 AM:

8:05 AM:

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

7:55 AM:

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

7:25 AM:

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

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

    Mike Fisher:

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

    Shea Weber:

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

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

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

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

    Jaromir Jagr’s thoughts:

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

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