“We’ve tried to find a hockey deal for the last year, and the next thing is either placing him on re-entry waivers or waiting until the spring and making a hockey trade,” Tambellini said.

“A cash asset now or trade asset later — that’s what we’ll have to evaluate now.”

Brad Richards now finds himself as the number one offensive free agent next summer after Joe Thornton signed an extension with the Sharks. Without new ownership in place, it’s extremely difficult for GM Joe Nieuwendyk to hammer out a new long term deal. Nieuwendyk said at some point he’ll have to talk to the league as he’ll need to figure out to keep him or trade him at the deadline (Richards has a no movement clause).

“Tom Hicks and Joe Nieuwendyk are in charge of the day-to-day business decisions in Dallas,” said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. “But due to the possibly imminent sale of the club, major financial transactions — especially those that may have lasting impacts on the club’s operations moving forward — are, as a matter of practice, vetted through the league.”

Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Green returned to practice on Sunday. Green had off-season shoulder surgery, and it’s possible that he returns to lineup in the next 7-10 days. Green also got a foot infection from ‘lace bite’ last week.

“I have no idea right now,” Greene said after practice today. “I feel pretty good. I was feeling pretty good before I was off the ice, and this is my first day back skating, so we’ll see how I feel tomorrow. I feel good right now, but I might be dying tonight. We’ll see what happens. I think it just depends on taking a hit, too. I haven’t really gotten a heavy bump yet, or any of that. The guys have been pretty nice to me, so that’s what it depends on right now.”