Posts Tagged Nikolai Kulemin

NHL Rumors III: Blue Jackets, Sabres, Maple Leafs, Hurricanes and Senators

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on April 3rd, 2013

From twitter unless otherwise noted

  • Aaron Portzline: The Blue Jackets are dangling the the 1st round pick that they acquired from the LA Kings. They won’t trade it for a rental player.
  • John Vogl: Sabres Ryan Miller won’t say if he’s handed in his eight-team no-trade list and won’t comment if he’s talked with Darcy Regier. Seth Rorabaugh: Miller on possibly being traded: ”I’m not going to worry about it… It’s part of the business… You don’t have a say in anything.” On approving a trade:  “I’m not going to comments on conversations I’ve had with (GM) Darcy (Regier), real or imagined.”
  • Damien Cox: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis didn’t talk to the Canucks yesterday about Roberto Luongo.
  • David Pagnotta: The Maple Leafs and Canucks will resume talks today. The Canucks are now asking about Nikolai Kulemin or Clarke MacArthur.
  • Darren Dreger: Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen will be out for three months with an ankle injury.
  • Sarah McLellan: Coyotes defenseman Derek Morris confirmed that he’s submitted a list of 8 teams that he’d waive his no-trade clause for. From Morris: ”Whatever management does is what they think will make this organization and this team better. But that being said, we don’t want to see anybody in this locker room move.”
  • Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: It would take a significant offer for the Senators to move goalie Ben Bishop. Daniel Alfredsson said he’d be okay if the Senators were quiet.

    “We like the situation we are in, with more players returning from injuries and joining us on trips, so even if we don’t anything, we still have some nice additions.”

  • TSN Video links: (It’s 2013, please enable the embed option) Fading Fast: how the Derek Roy trade affects a Luongo deal and Will they stay or go: discussing Mark Streit and Ben Bishop.

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NHL Rumors I: Maple Leafs, Canucks, Flames, Oilers and Kings

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 31st, 2013

From twitter unless otherwise noted

  • Bruce Garrioch: A lot of teams will see where they stand after last night to determine what they’ll be doing at the deadline.
  • Bob McKenzie of TSN:  “Under the right circumstances” the Maple Leafs could add a veteran goalie. Nonis may be leaning more towards Miikka Kiprusoff than Roberto Luongo. The Leafs are trying to find out if Kiprusoff would consider leaving Calgary. The Canucks asking price hasn’t dropped that much. Not including Nazem Kadri, but still looking for a center, Tyler Bozak, a prospect and a pick.
  • Damien Cox: Cox guesses there is a 60% chance that the Maple Leafs will stick with James Reimer and Ben Scrivens, 15% Miikka Kiprusoff, 15% Robert Luongo and 10% something else.
  • The Fourth Period: The Leafs and Canucks had talks this week, but it may take another team to get a trade done according to a source. Nikolai Kulemin, John-Michael Liles, Korbinian Holzer, Tyler Biggs, Stuart Percy and Jesse Blacker have been attached to a possible trade. The Leafs are open to moving Bozak, but would need to find a replacement for him right away. Derek Roy has been tied to the Leafs. Mike Ribeiro may become available, but the price would be higher. The Flames are taking calls on Alex Tanguay. The Oilers aren’t shopping Shawn Horcoff, but they are taking calls. Liles would  have to be apart of the deal due to salaries, $5.5 million to $3.875 million. The Leafs have asked about Sam Gagner, but it would take a package that includes Morgan Reilly.
  • The Fourth Period: The Kings have inquired about Flames Alex Tanguay and Cory Sarich. The Kings want add a stay-at-home defenseman.  The cost to get Sarich shouldn’t be that high. The Kings are also looking at Sabres Robyn Regehr. Winger Drew Stafford has also been part of talks.

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NHL Rumors: Malkin, Smid, Hemsky, Horcoff, Blackhawks, Capitals, Red Wings, Panthers, Lightning, Leafs, Devils and Scouting LA-CAL

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 12th, 2013

  • Elliotte Friedman of CBC: The Penguins can talk to Evgeni Malkin about a contract extension, but can’t re-sign him until the summer. Same goes for the Blackhawks and Jonathan Toews. There hasn’t seemed to be much conversation between the Oilers and soon to be UFA Ladislav Smid. Ales Hemsky’s name will likely come up again this year in trade rumors. Friedman wonders if the Oilers would consider moving Shawn Horcoff.
  • The Fourth Period: The Blackhawks would like to add a 2nd or 3rd line center, and their options are growing. Though it’s unlikely he’ll be dealt, the Blackhawks have shown interest in Blue Jackets Derick Brassard. GM Stan Bowman could look at Capitals Mike Ribeiro, who will be a UFA at the end of the season. The Hawks could also look to add a depth defenseman for their 3rd pairing.
  • The Fourth Period: Red Wings GM Ken Holland has been trying to bring in an impact player for awhile. He’s looked at Flames Jay Bouwmeester and Coyotes Keith Yandle, but the asking price has been too high. The Wings could look at Sabres Robyn Regehr and Oilers Ladislav Smid. Holland wouldn’t overpay for Ducks Corey Perry as a rental, but may look at Sabres Drew Stafford or someone from the Flames.
  • Jeff Gordon of the Post Dispatch: The Panthers are looking to move salary, and the Capitals and Lightning are falling out of the playoff race. The Blue Jackets are in rebuild mode, and the Flames could be following suit. The Blues are looking for a top-four defenseman, but there aren’t many options at the moment. Trade targets for teams that might be interested in adding salary are: Corey Perry, Roberto Luongo, Mike Ribeiro, Jarome Iginla, Brandon Dubinsky, Ryane Clowe, Kris Versteeg, Clarke MacArthur, Jack Johnson, Brian Campbell, Jay Bouwmeester, Jussi Jokinen, Mike Komisarek, Tyler Bozak and Keith Ballard.
  • Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman isn’t giving up on the season just yet. He’s been working the phones.

    “To sit here and say, ‘I’m going to do something big,’ there’s nothing big that can be done at this time,” Yzerman said. “It’s not like we just sit here and do nothing all day. You talk to people, you see if there’s anything that makes sense. For a lot of reasons it’s difficult to find a fit, to find the right players, the right salaries to make a trade. You don’t just do something to do it.”

    If Yzerman is to make a deal, look for it to be a traditional hockey deal and not a move for a rental.

    “Rental players cost you draft picks or young players, we’re not interested in that,” Yzerman said. “That’s why we signed free agents in the summer, to fill those places. If there’s a trade that makes sense where a team has a need and we have a need, then it would be addressed that way.”

    The Panthers will listen to offers for Kris Versteeg and Tomas Fleischmann. Fleischmann has two years left at $4.5 million per season and he has a modified no-trade clause. Versteeg has three years left with a cap hit of $4.4 million, but salaries of $4.6 and 4.7 million.

  • Bill Watters via twitter: Watters wonders if it’s time to move Phil Kessel. He’s a UFA after next season and this trade deadline may be the ideal time to move him. You’re not going to build a team around him so you do it.
  • Bill Watters via twitter: Why are people on Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis to trade John-Michael Liles and Mike Komisarek? He couldn’t give them away due to their lackluster play and bad contracts.
  • Vicki Hall via twitter: Scouting the Kings – Flames game: Rangers, 2 from Boston, Sabres, Penguins, Lightning, Canucks, Blues, Ducks, Predators and Avalanche.

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NHL Rumors: Iginla, Kessel, Kulemin, Burmistrov, Johnson, Kennedy, Ribeiro, Oilers, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Flyers and Wild

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 6th, 2013

  • Todd Cordell via twitter: TSN’s Bob McKenzie said last night that it’s more likely that Jarome Iginla gets traded at the deadline than at any time in the past. Darren Dreger said Maple Leafs Phil Kessel and Nikolai Kulemin could be available if the right deal comes along. Dreger added that Alex Burmistrov could be trade bait for the Jets.
  • Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen on trade rumors involving defenseman Jack Johnson and the Penguins: ”It’s silly. I don’t usually repond to this kind of stuff, but this is just silly. I went to watch a game. (Pens GM) Ray Shero is a friend of mine.”
  • Will DePaoli via twitter: Penguins forward Tyler Kennedy is in the last year of his two year, $4 million contract, and the next couple of weeks will be crucial regarding his future. There have been internal discussions about his current and future role with the team.
  • The Fourth Period: As the trade deadline approaches, Capitals center Mike Ribeiro could become a target of several teams. The 33-year old will be a UFA at the end of the season. With Panthers Stephen Weiss out for the season, Ribeiro may get more interest. Teams that are interested in adding a top two center include: Ducks, Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Senators, Red Wings and Canucks.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: (mailbag) If the Oilers are out of the playoff race by the trade deadline, they’ll look to move out people. Ryan Whitney is the most likely to be traded. The Blues could be looking at him with the feeling that he’d be better right now than Ian Cole and Wade Redden. Nikolai Khabibulin could be the next guy after Whitney to be moved, if his groin can hold up. It appears as of now that they want to re-sign Ladislav Smid and Ryan Jones, both who would be UFAs at the end of the season. Teams are interested in Smid. Sam Gagner and Ales Hemsky could be in play, but more likely in the summer if they decide they’d like to get bigger.
  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman:

    “I always find that I’m usually the guy that’s more interested in making moves earlier and most of my counterparts are more interested in waiting it out, so it’s not that unusual for me,” Bowman said with a chuckle Tuesday on the line from Chicago.

    A lot of teams in still waiting to see if they are buyers or sellers.

    “The standings dictate how much movement there is, separation or lack thereof,” Red Wings GM Ken Holland told ESPN.com on Tuesday. “You look at the West, from third to 11th this morning, there’s just three points separating those teams.”

    “Ultimately, the next two to three weeks will determine certainly my thinking for the Detroit Red Wings,” Holland said.

    Teams are still trying to figure out what they have with their own team.

    “It’s hard to evaluate, you get the injuries everyone is dealing with, it’s though,” Flyers GM Paul Holmgren told ESPN.com on Tuesday. “For sure you don’t want to do anything that hurts anything long term.”

    Chicago Blackhawks: They don’t have many holes, but could look to add some depth up the middle.

    “We’ve identified players that we think would help us,” Bowman told ESPN.com. “I’ve called to let those teams know: ‘This is a player we’re interested in, you may not be interested in moving him now or ever, but …’ they take note of it. Nobody I’ve talked to yet has wanted to talk further about it, they filed it away. So it’s a waiting game.”

    “I’m probably more looking up front, depth maybe at center,” Bowman said. “Not high-end but more a role-playing type center.”

    “We’ve got young guys knocking at the door,” he said. “But I guess most of our depth is young guys, so if we add a forward, it’ll be a more experienced guy.”

    Red Wings:  The Red Wings have been hit with a lot of injuries this season.

    “If we can get all our guys back, that’s almost like a deadline addition or two,” Holland said.

    LeBrun doesn’t think the Wings are interested in adding a depth defenseman, but if Holland adds one, it could be a top-four guy, which aren’t easy to come by.

    Flyers: Never shy on making a big move, but not wanting to trade their top young talent.

    “We’re probably like a lot of teams, looking around for something that makes sense for now and the long term,” Holmgren said. “But we think we have a good group of young players that we prefer not to mess with.”

    If the Flyers make a move, they could look at adding someone who would be able to play with them into next season. They could use a puck-moving, top-four defenseman.

    Wild: The Wild could use a veteran defenseman, but GM Chuck Fletcher does not want to give up any of his high-end futures.

    “We’re not looking to trade our top prospects at this time,” the Wild GM said. “If there’s something we can do to help our team over the next month, we’ll look at it but we’re not looking to make wholesale changes, that’s for sure.”

    Fletcher has little interest in trading Matt Cullen.

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Leafs and Blues talking trade? Might be time for “much needed and anticipated” changes in Calgary

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 2nd, 2013

  • Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Sources in Toronto have the Blues and Maple Leafs on each other’s radar. Nikolai Kulemin’s name keeps coming up. Kulemin may need a change of scenery. He’s taken a defensive/penalty killing role and gets limited power play time. The Maple Leafs could be interested in a younger player which may include Jaden Schwartz and/or Ian Cole. If the Blues were to move Cole, they would need a defenseman in return, and the Leafs have a surplus of them. It would take more than Kulemin if they were to get Schwartz out of St. Louis.
  • Randy Sportak via twitter: After not getting Ryan O’Reilly, it might be time for the “much needed and anticipated” changes.

    We all know what that means, with the usual highly paid suspects — pending unrestricted free-agent Jarome Iginla, along with Miikka Kiprusoff and Jay Bouwmeester — in the sights as trade fodder to kickstart a much-needed rebuild of the team.

    The Flames should be looking for young talent and top picks.

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Quick Hits: Filppula, Coach’s challenge, Wider nets, Iginla, Smith, Scouting Leafs-Flyers, Sit Kulemin?

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 26th, 2013

  • Elliotte Friedman of CBC: If there is NHL expansion, it won’t happen in the next year or two. You have to think that Gary Bettman as a good idea of the scenarios for the Coyotes for next year.

    A couple teams may be eyeing Red Wings pending UFA Valtteri Filppula. Wings GM Ken Holland said they may have to wait as ”I’m still trying to find out what we are.” He added that they’ll wait closer to the trade deadline to decide on anything. Indications are that Franzen would like to stay.

    A couple of years ago when Panthers Dale Tallon brought up the idea of a coach’s challenge, it was shot down 28-2. Some other GM thoughts are that there needs to be some sort of penalty if a the challenge is ‘wrong.’ What instances will the a challenge be allow for? Goals only? Goalie interference? High-sticking major/double minor that may have been caused by a teammate?

    At the March GM meetings they may talk about goalie equipment again. Also, some people would like wider, but not taller nets.

  • Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: Panaccio wonders if the Flyers would go after Jarome Iginla if he became available. Panaccio does say that Bruins are in better shape to make a deep run in the playoffs than the “bubble team” Flyers.
  • Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona: The Phoenix Coyotes won’t be signing goalie Mike Smith to a long-term deal any time soon.

    “Our thought is to let the season play out,” Maloney said. “Until our ownership is resolved, we’re going to table Mike’s contract and hope things work out later.”

  • Gord Stellick via twitter: (before last night’s game) Stellick thinks it’s time for Maple Leafs Carl Gunnarsson to sit. Nikolai Kulemin would be an easy choice to sit when Joffrey Lupul or Matt Frattin return.

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Trade Rumors: Weiss, Iginla, Kiprusoff, Sabres, Sens, Caps, Flyers, Panthers, Kulemin, Bernier, Steckel and O’Reilly

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 6th, 2013

  • Elliotte Friedman of CBC: Panthers GM Dale Tallon on Stephen Weiss rumors, who will be a UFA and has a no-movement clause.

    “Ridiculous,” Tallon said. “I’m not trading him, I’m going to try to sign him.”

    Travis Zajac’s 8 year, $46 million contract could be in the ballpark of what Tallon may offer. There are 7 pending UFA centers who, in theory, could center a first line: Ryan Geltzlaf, Valtteri Filppula, Weiss, Derek Roy, Mike Ribeiro and Patrik Elias. Would Jarome Iginla be interested in Flyers if he considered moving on? Are they a cup contender this year though? The Penguins may have an opening for him. The Canucks offered Cody Hodgson to the Capitals for John Carlson last year. Flames Miikka Kiprusoff doesn’t have a no-trade clause, but it doesn’t mean the Flames are in a rush to move him. The Sabres have eight defenseman, and GM Darcy Regier has told teams, ”Give me a reason to trade one.”

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Sources say it will likely be another week before the trade market shakes loose, more separation between playoff and non-playoff teams. Senators GM Bryan Murray likely won’t find a Jason Spezza replacement unless he gives up a top prospect. Capitals George McPhee and Flyers Paul Holmgren have been working the phones desperately.

    “There’s not many players available,” said a league executive Monday. “If you want one, and one becomes available, you better go snap him up quick cause the market is light.”

  • Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Even though the Panthers are denying it, Murphy is hearing more and more that Stephen Weiss is available. If Murphy was Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli, he’d go after him.
  • Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Murphy thinks that if any team is looking for a young, skilled defenseman, they should try to pry Dmitri Kulikov from the Panthers. His holdout and bad start may make him available.
  • Bruce Garrioch via twitter: The trade market is quiet as GMs aren’t ready to make any moves just yet. Teams aren’t out of it yet. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren is working the phones.
  • The Fourth Period: The Penguins could be looking for a winger to play with Evgeni Malkin, and they could once again be looking at Maple Leafs Nikolai Kulemin. The Penguins asked about him last year, and apparently had a 1st round pick on the table, which was turned down by Brian Burke. The Penguins had 2 scouts at the Leafs-Hurricanes game on Monday.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: (mailbag) Matheson doesn’t see the Oilers trading for Jonathan Bernier. There would be a better chance of the Maple Leafs trading for him. The Kings need some scoring and help on the blueline.
  • Bob Stauffer via twitter: Stauffer thinks that Maple Leafs David Steckel makes sense for a short term fix at center for the Oilers. Steckel is likely available as he’s in and out of the Leafs lineup. He’s been one of the top face-off guys for years. Ryan O’Reilly is a type of guy the Oilers should target if his contract stalemate drags on. He’s a strong, skilled two-way center.
  • Jim Matheson via twitter: The longer O’Reilly’s stalemate goes on, the more feeling you get that he’s not long for the Avalanche. Matheson doesn’t think he’s a $5 million player though.

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Bernier still waiting on a trade … Senators will have options … Could Doan be moved? Leafs could target Getzlaf

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 1st, 2013

  • Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Last spring Kings goalie, Jonathan Bernier, asked to be traded. GM Dean Lombardi talked to a couple teams, but didn’t get a deal he liked. That, along with Jonathan Quick’s back injury, the trade went on the back burner. Sources say a Bernier trade likely won’t happen until after Roberto Luongo is traded. Rumors are the Kings could be looking for a top four defenseman. Bernier is really the only major asset the Kings are willing to move. The Maple Leafs could be one option for Bernier, and there is one specific player on the Leafs roster that Lombardi has indicated privately that he likes. He isn’t saying but it’s not looking like the Leafs are willing to move him at the moment. The Lightning, Blue Jackets and Devils have looked at Bernier at some point. Bernier will be a RFA at the end of this year.
  • Matthew Sekeres via twitter: Canucks GM Mike Gillis said he thinks that Shane Doan said no to the Canucks in the summer as Doan believed that the Coyotes would be staying in Phoenix. Doan could be traded if the Coyotes aren’t in the hunt at the NHL trade deadline. Maybe the Canucks will take another look at him.
  • Howard Berger of BergerBytes: Berger wonders if the Maple Leafs could trade for Ryan Getzlaf if he becomes available. A Western Conference executive,

    “He could be available. But, there will be a fair amount of interest in him and he won’t come cheap.”

    The Leafs have been looking for No. 1 center since Mats Sundin left in 2007-08. Without having a No. 1 center, it would appear reasonable for GM David Nonis to consider trading Phil Kessel before the trade deadline. If the Maple Leafs were able to get someone like Getzlaf, keeping Kessel would make sense. Ducks GM Bob Murray has said that he wants to re-sign Getzlaf and Corey Perry, but that will be difficult.

    “I don’t believe Anaheim will keep both players,” said my source. “I think Bob Murray may be looking for a different mix up front. But, it depends how this season goes. If the Ducks have a great year, all of that could change.”

    If the Leafs were looking to trading for him, they would want to have assurance that he’d be interested in a long-term commitment. If the Ducks say that Getzlaf won’t re-sign with them, 3 options for Getzlaf are 1) agree to sign with team that trades for him, 2) become a free agent in July and c) target the Kings in the offseason so he can remain in California (he’s built a home and his family is settled in Anaheim). Nazem Kadri would be starting point in a deal, possibly with Nikolai Kulemin and a 2nd or 3rd round pick. The Leafs won’t trade their 2013 1st round pick or Morgan Rielly.

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The Russian factor: Visnovsky staying overseas, Kovalchuk staying too? Markov still in Russia, Kulemin rumors false

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 8th, 2013

6:20 PM:

  • Slava Malamud via twitter: Legally, the IIHF could ban Kovalchuk from all competitions, including the Sochi Olympics, if he doesn’t report to the Devils. Eric Macramalla asks if it would would compel him to honor his NHL contract? Malamud thinks that the KHL will likely be looking to find ways to prove that the NHL contract is void with the new CBA rules.
  • Slava Malamud via twitter: “To all asking, the only possible avenue for KHL to keep Kovalchuk/Datsyuk (IMO) is to try to prove their NHL deals are voided w/ new CBA. This way, they may argue they are not in breach of the KHL-NHL agreement and players can avoid IIHF sanctions. A very long shot, at best.”

3:50 PM:

  • Eric Macramalla via twitter: “Even though there’s agreement btw NHL and KHL on player movement form a legal standpoint little can be done to compel Kovalchuk to come back. NHL can apply pressure on KHL/IIHF; could sue for breach of contract but KHL team owner will cover; also ask court to force someone to play. If Devils reasonably believe he will not return they can void his contract and sue for breach; but cant force him to play. At present not sufficient basis to void Kovalchuk’s contract – want to get angrier – any attempt 2 void it will likely be contested by NHLPA “

3:10 PM:

  • Slava Malamud via twitter: Malamud is hearing that oil and natural gas magnates that own SKA and CSKA will look into ways to keep Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk.
  • Slava Malamud via twitter: Kovalchuk: ”Not in a hurry to get to America… Time will tell (if I stay in the KHL). Nothing is out of the question”
  • Slava Malamud via twitter: Kovalchuk to Sport-Express: ”Datsyuk hasn’t left, either… If Medvedev says it’s OK, we’ll play in the All-Star Game”

1:50 PM:

  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello repeated again today that he has no reason to believe that Kovalchuk won’t be playing with the Devils this year.
  • David Pagnotta via twitter: Source close Kovalchuk: ”Technically, there is no (CBA) yet, so he can keep playing in until (CBA) is official. He’ll be in NJ for camp.”
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: The KHL has confirmed that they will honor their agreement with the NHL with respects to each other’s contracts.
  • Genadi Boguslavski via twitter: Kovalchuk on not excluding possibility of remaining in KHL: ”I will stay in khl until end of the season? Let’s see, but this cannot be excluded” Kovalchuk tells SKA will not redeem his contract for New Jersey are not possible, ”It is unreal. This is just talks.” Kovalchuk said he’s not in a rush to leave SKA: ”A formal agreement in the NHL not signed yet, so why not play here”
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Bill Daly: ”I’m not inclined to treat this as a “problem” unless or until its a ‘problem.’ It’s not and I don’t expect it to be.”
  • David Pagnotta via twitter: Kovalchuk could play Thursday before heading back to New Jersey. Pagnotta has been told that he’ll be back 100%.
  • Rich Chere via twitter: Kovalchuk had expressed concern about losing money on the contracts that they had already signed, as well as playing in the 2014 Olympics.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Bill Daly on Kovalchuk and KHL honoring deals, ”We have no reason to believe the KHL will let them play” … ”It would be inconsistent with our agreement with them.”

10:20 AM:

  • Slava Malamud via twitter: Ilya Kovalchuk said that ‘I will need to read the new agreement’ before deciding on what he’ll do next.

9:33 AM:

  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: There is some talk that KHL teams may be offering Russian stars “inducements” to stay in the KHL and not return to the NHL. Multiple sources have told McKenzie that NHL teams should do a roll call as a it’s possible a Russian player or 2 may not return. The NHL-KHL do have a pact to honor all contracts, but it has been suggested to McKenzie that the issue could heat up again.
  • Slava Malamud via twitter: Don’t expect Russian stars to say they are staying with the KHL, all said before that it was posturing. If there is someone who stays, it won’t be a big name player.
  • Arthur Staple via twitter: Lubomir Visnovsky has decided to stay in Slovakia for the rest of the season. Statement from Visnovsky:

    “I have decided to stay and continue my career in the KHL for the remainder of the 2012-13 season. I am thankful to the #Isles for being so good to me. My decision not to play in the NHL is due to family and personal reasons. I have made no decisions on next season. My focus now is on Slovan Bratislava, and enjoying my family in my home country.”

  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: “NHL says it’s been assured KHL won’t let players with valid NHL deals play in KHL. Guess that “assurance” will be put to test. #visnovsky”
  • Arthur Staple via twitter: The Islanders have declined to comment on the Visnovsky situation. The Islanders and NHL both expect the player and KHL to honor all NHL contracts.
  • Alessandro Seren Rosso via twitter: Russian media is reporting that Ilya Kovalchuk is considering staying with SKA in the KHL. Doubtful that it happens. Bob McKenzie via twitter: McKenzie has heard the Kovalchuk rumors but not able to confirm them. Devils told him: “haven’t heard (Kovy) isn’t coming back.” Tom Gulitti via twitter: Lamoriello said the same thing yesterday, and had no reason to think that he wouldn’t be coming back. Bob McKenzie via twitter: Most of this Kovalchuk stuff is just rumors at this point. May turn up in New Jersey, but many hearing he may not. Tom Gulitti via twitter: ‘The NHL expects KHL to honor their agreement and not allow players under NHL contracts play in KHL after lockout is officially over.”
  • Dave Stubbs via twitter: Canadiens Markov will stay in Russia until he hears from the Canadiens to come back. He told Stubbs: “I’m not a 16 yr old boy, I make my decisions”
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: There were rumors that Maple Leafs Nikolai Kulemin wouldn’t be coming back to Toronto, but his agent said last night that the rumors were false, and that he’ll be there.

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Player notes involving: Luongo rumors, Selanne, Thomas, O’Reilly, Kesler, Lack, Moore and Holmstrom … Datsyuk shootout goal

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on January 7th, 2013

  • TSN Video link: Roberto Luongo talks about the Lockout and possibility of being traded. Bob McKenzie said there is not a deal in place to trade Roberto Loungo to the Maple Leafs, but the Leafs are interested. It could take Tyler Bozak, a pick and player for the Leafs to get Luongo. Luongo may not want to go to Toronto. The Leafs will explorer other options as well. Jonathan Bernier could be available. Pang mentions that the Panthers would be interested, budget may be a concern. (If someone from TSN reads this, please enable the ‘embed’ option on your videos.)
  • The Fourth Period: The Canucks will continue to look at trading Luongo. The Maple Leafs, Blackhawks, Panthers and Oilers had been rumored to be interested before the lockout. It’s believed that the Canucks are reluctant to trade him to the Oilers or Blackhawks. Maple Leaf players that have been mentioned as possibly being included in some sort of package are: Tyler Bozak, Nikolai Kulemin, Tim Connolly, Carl Gunnarsson, Mike Komisarek, Cody Franson, Nazem Kadri and Tyler Biggs. Luongo’s preference has been to play in Florida, but the Panthers haven’t been willing to part with what the Canucks want in return.
  • Eric Stephens via twitter: Teemu Selanne said he hasn’t decided on whether this will be his last year and only worried “here and there” about his NHL career being over because of the lockout. Selanne: ”Either way, I would be a happy camper. But obviously, of course, you always want to play your last game.”
  • Toronto Sun: Bob McKenzie tweeted yesterday that Tim Thomas still doesn’t plan on playing this year: ”As of now, subject to usual ‘could change mind later’ qualifiers, Tim Thomas is not interested in ending his self-imposed hockey exile.” McKenzie added that Thomas has no intention of fulfilling the final year of his 4 year, $20 million deal. The Bruins will be on the hook for his $5 million cap hit as he signed his contract after he was 35.
  • Adrian Dater via twitter: The Avalanche are not able to negotiate with Ryan O’Reilly yet. Ratification from the league is needed before teams can negotiate.
  • TSN: There is still no timetable for Canucks Ryan Kesler to return.

    “Our goal for Ryan is that he’s able to play the next 10 years, not the next two months,” Kesler’s agent Kurt Overhardt said. “We are working with the club closely on his recovery and we are all on the same page.”

  • Dan Murphy via twitter: Canucks Eddie Lack is still out with a groin injury he suffered on November 27th. He is expected to meet with Canucks doctors soon.
  • Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets defenseman John Moore had been out with a concussion. He has been cleared to resume skating and could be ready for the start of the season.
  • Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings Tomas Holmstrom is expected to announce his retirement soon. He has already told the Wings, but they did not want to announce it during the lockout.
  • Dave Molinari via twitter: Though not official, it may be unlikely that the Penguins invite any junior players to camp as there are no jobs open for them.
  • Pavel Datsyuk amazing shootout goal.

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Ovi said most KHL players won’t return … Hall still waiting for clearance … Eager arrested … Luongo to Leafs makes sense

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 21st, 2012

  • Slava Malamud via twitter: Alex Ovechkin, “If contracts get slashed, most players won’t return.” Ovechkin added that there are legal ways to stay in the KHL.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Taylor Hall won’t play any games with Oklahoma of the AHL until November. He has been skating with them, but still needs to get clearance from Edmonton doctors.

    “It’s a bit of a weird situation…I know I just signed for $42 million but everybody knows I love to play no matter what they pay me, and right now they’re paying me when I’m  not playing,” said the rehabbing Oilers’ forward, who is still getting his NHL salary in the minors, but not tugging on a Barons’ jersey, except for practices.

    “I did take some face-offs yesterday (Friday) and today (Saturday). I did another drill where I had my arm extended, holding off somebody. I couldn’t do that last season (his shoulder was in bad shape even before Colorado’s Ryan Wilson stapled him into the boards in Denver 11 months ago),” said Hall. “The shoulder feels strong.”

  • Edmonton Journal: Oilers forward Ben Eager was charged with assault last night following a fight at The Quail Pub in Toronto. Eager and his brother were charged with assault, assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon. The Eager’s were caught on surveillance assaulting the doorman.
  • James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: The Maple Leafs are basically the only team that has a need, desire, available assets and financials to take on Roberto Luongo. It’s not a done deal when the lockout ends, but it’s close. Luongo would prefer Florida, but they have Jacob Markstrom and they don’t want to give up anything of value for Luongo. There are 3 questions that come to mind on a Luongo to Toronto deal, “(1) does he want to play in Toronto (2) will the new collective agreement facilitate a trade and (3) do the Canucks see something they want in return?” The answer to #1 seems to be yes. The new CBA could throw a wrinkle in the Canucks future plans. The NHL proposed that if a player retires during a contract, the cap hit goes back to the team that signed him. There appears to players that the Canucks are interested in. Tyler Bozak or Nikolai Kulemin might interest the Canucks.
  • Howard Berger of Berger Bytes: Berger has always felt that Luongo will end up in a Maple Leafs uniform. He would be their best goalie since Ed Belfour. The Leafs have missed the playoffs for 5 straight seasons.

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NHL players who are playing overseas during the NHL lockout

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on October 3rd, 2012

Here is a list of players that have signed contracts to play overseas during the NHL lockout.

We will continue to update as long as players keep signing.

Player 2012-13 NHL Team Lockout Team League
Artem Anisimov Columbus Lokomotiv Yaroslavl KHL
Nik Antropov Winnipeg HC Barys KHL
Anton Babcuk Calgary HC Donbass KHL
Nicklas Backstrom Washington HC Dynamo Moscow KHL
Niklas Backstrom Minnesota Dynamo Minsk KHL
Matt Beleskey Anaheim Coventry EIHL (UK)
Jamie Benn Dallas Hamburg Freezers Deutsche Eishockey Liga
Sean Bergenheim Florida HIFK Helsinki SM-liiga
Patrice Bergeron Boston HC Lugano Swiss National A League
Patrik Berglund St. Louis Vasteras HockeyAllsvenskan
Jonathan Bernier Los Angeles Heilbronner Falken ESBG (Ger)
Sergei Bobrovsky Columbus SKA St. Petersburg KHL
Mikkel Boedker Phoenix Lukko SM-Liiga
Damien Brunner Detroit EV Zug KHL
Ilya Bryzgalov Philadelphia CSKA Moscow KHL
Roman Cervenka Calgary Slavia Praha Czech Extraliga
Zdeno Chara Boston HC Lev Praha KHL
David Clarkson New Jersey EC Red Bull Salzburg EBEL (Aus)
Erik Condra Ottawa EV Fussen Oberliga (Ger)
Logan Couture San Jose Geneva-Servette Swiss National A League
Matt D’Agostini St. Louis SC Ressersee ESBG (Ger)
Pavel Datsyuk Detroit CSKA Moscow KHL
Kaspars Daugavins Ottawa Dynamo Riga KHL
Michael Del Zotto NY Rangers Rappersil-Jona Lakers Swiss National A League
Jason Demers San Jose Oulu SM-liiga
Raphael Diaz Montreal EV Zug Swiss National A League
Rick DiPietro NY Islanders SC Riessersee ESBG (Ger)
Matt Duchene Colorado Frolunda HC Swedish Elite League
Christian Ehrhoff Buffalo Krefeld Deutsche Eishockey Liga
Lars Eller Montreal JYP SM-Liiga (Fin)
Alexei Emelin Montreal Ak Bars KHL
Cory Emmerton Detroit SalPa SM-Liiga (Fin)
Deryk Engelland Pittsburgh Rosenborg GET-Ligaen (Nor)
Tyler Ennis Buffalo SC Langnau Swiss National A League
Jhonas Enroth Buffalo Huddinge IK Sweden Division 1
Tobias Enstrom Winnipeg EC Red Bull Salzburg EBEL (Aus)
Jonathan Ericsson Detroit Sodertalje EK HockeyAllsvenskan
Viktor Fasth Anaheim Tingsryd Swedish League (T2)
Ruslan Fedotenko Philadelphia HC Donbass KHL
Eric Fehr Winnipeg HPK SM-Liiga (Fin)
Andrew Ference Boston Ceske Budejovice Czech Extraliga
Valtteri Filppula Detroit Jokerit SM-Liiga (Fin)
Kurtis Foster Minnesota Tappara SM-Liiga (Fin)
Cody Franson Toronto Brynas Swedish Elite League
Michael Frolik Chicago HC Chomutov Czech Extraliga
Sam Gagner Edmonton EC KAC EBEL (Aus)
Sergei Gonchar Ottawa Metallurg Deutsche Eishockey Liga
Mikhail Grabovski Toronto CSKA Moscow KHL
Colin Greening Ottawa Aalborg Pirates AL-Bank Ligaen
Carl Hagelin NY Rangers Sodertalje SK HockeyAllsvenskan
Jannik Hansen Vancouver Tappara SM-Liiga
Martin Hanzal Phoenix NC Mountfield Czech Extraliga
Victor Hedman Tampa Bay HC Barys KHL
Ales Hemsky Edmonton Pardubice Czech Extraliga
Patric Hornqvist Nashville Djurgardens IF HockeyAllsvenskan
Jiri Hudler Calgary Lev Praha KHL
Jaromir Jagr Dallas Kladno Czech Extraliga
Jesse Joensuu NY Islanders Assat Finnish League
Marcus Johansson Washington BIK Karlskoga HockeyAllsvenskan
Jussi Jokinen Carolina Oulu SM-Liiga (Fin)
Roman Josi Nashville Bern Swiss National A League
Tomas Kaberle Montreal Kladno Czech Extraliga
Evander Kane Winnipeg HC Dinamo Minsk KHL
Patrick Kane Chicago EHC Biel Swiss National A League
Erik Karlsson Ottawa Jokerit SM-Liiga (Fin)
Anton Khudobin Boston HC Atlant Moscow Oblast KHL
Jakub Kindl Detroit CSOB Pojistovna Pardubice Czech Extraliga
Rostislav Klesla Phoenix Trinec Czech Extraliga
Tomas Kopecky Florida HK Dukla Trencin Slovak Extraliga
Mikko Koivu Minnesota TPS Turku SM-Liiga (Fin)
Anze Kopitar Los Angeles Mora HockeyAllsvenskan
Lauri Korpikoski Phoenix TPS SM-Liiga (Fin)
Sergei Kostitsyn Nashville Avangard Omsk KHL
Ilya Kovalchuk New Jersey SKA St. Petersburg KHL
David Krejci Boston Pardubice Czech Extraliga
Pavel Kubina Philadelphia HC Vitkovice Steel Czech Extraliga
Nikolai Kulemin Toronto Metallurg KHL
Dmitry Kulikov Florida HC Lokomotiv KHL
Gabriel Landeskog Colorado Djargarden Swedish Elite League
Brooks Laich Washington Kloten Flyers Swiss National A League
Philip Larsen Dallas Lukko SM-Liiga (Fin)
Anders Lindback Tampa Bay Ilves SM-Liiga (Fin)
Joffrey Lupul Toronto Avtobomilist KHL
Clarke MacArthur Toronto ETC Crimmitschau ESBG (Ger)
Andrew MacDonald NY Islanders HC Karlovy Vary Czech Extraliga
Evgeni Malkin Pittsburgh Metallurg KHL
Andrei Markov Montreal HC Vityaz KHL
Radek Martinek Columbus Ceske Budejovice Czech Extraliga
Ryan McDonagh NY Rangers HC Barys KHL
Milan Michalek Ottawa NC Mountfield Czech Extraliga
Brendan Mikkelson Tampa Bay Vasteras HockeyAllsvenskan
Drew Miller Detroit Braehead Clan EIHL (UK)
Douglas Murray San Jose Djurgardens IF HockeyAllsvenskan
Tyler Myers Buffalo EC KAC EBEL (Aus)
Rick Nash NY Rangers Davos Swiss National A League
Michal Neuvirth Washington Sparta Praha Czech Extraliga
Frans Nielsen NY Islanders Lukko SM-Liiga (Fin)
Nikita Nikitin Columbus Avangard Omsk Oblast KHL
Andreas Nodl Carolina HC TWK Innsbruck EBEL (Austria)
Patrick O’Sullivan Phoenix HIFK Helsinki SM-Liiga (Fin)
Alex Ovechkin Washington Dynamo Moscow KHL
Max Pacioretty Montreal Ambri Piotta Swiss National A League
Ondrej Pavelec Winnipeg Bili Tygri Liberec Czech Extraliga
Lennart Petrell Edmonton HIFK SM-Liiga (Fin)
Rich Peverley Boston JYP SM-Liiga (Fin)
Tomas Plekanec Montreal Kladno Czech Extraliga
Roman Polak St. Louis HC Vitkovice Czech Extraliga
Alexei Ponikarovsky Winnipeg HC Donbass KHL
Corey Potter Edmonton Vienna Capitals EBEL (Austria)
Vinny Prospal Columbus NC Mountfield Czech Extraliga
Tuukka Rask Boston HC Plzen Czech Extraliga
Matt Read Philadelphia Sodertalje SK HockeyAllsvenskan
Peter Regin Ottawa Langenthal Swiss National B League
Pekka Rinne Nashville HC Dinamo Minsk KHL
Stephane Robidas Dallas HIFK SM-Liiga (Fin)
Michal Roszival Chicago HC Plzen Czech Extraliga
Kris Russell St. Louis TPS Turku SM-Liiga (Fin)
Mike Santorelli Florida Tingsryds AIF HockeyAllsvenskan
Luca Sbisa Anaheim HC Lugano Swiss National A League
Tom Sestito Philadelphia Sheffield Steelers EIHL (UK)
Tyler Seguin Boston EHC Biel Swiss National A League
Dennis Seidenberg Boston Adler Mannheim Deutsche Eishockey Liga
Andrej Sekera Buffalo HC Slovan Bratislava KHL
Alexander Semin Carolina Sokol Krasnoyarsk VHL (Russia)
Wayne Simmonds Philadelphia Bili Tygri Liberec Czech Extraliga
Jack Skille Florida Rosenborg GET-Ligaen (Nor)
Ladislav Smid Edmonton Bili Tygri Liberec Czech Extraliga
Craig Smith Nashville KalPa SM-Liiga (Fin)
Vladimir Sobotka St. Louis Slavia Praha Czech Extraliga
Jason Spezza Ottawa Rapperswil-Jona Swiss National A League
Jared Spurgeon Minnesota SC Langnau Swiss National A League
Viktor Stalberg Chicago Frolunda HC Swedish Elite League
Alexander Steen St. Louis Modo Swedish Elite League
Chris Stewart St. Louis Bili Tygri Liberec Czech Extraliga
Mark Streit NY Islanders Bern Swiss National A League
Vladimir Tarasenko St. Louis SKA St. Petersburg KHL
Tomas Tatar Detroit SHK 37 Piestany Slovak Extraliga
John Tavares NY Islanders SC Bern Swiss National A League
Joe Thornton San Jose Davos Swiss National A League
Jiri Tlusty Carolina Kladno Czech Extraliga
Thomas Vanek Buffalo Graz 99ers EBEL (Austria)
Semyon Varlamov Colorado HC Lokomotiv KHL
Semyon Varlamov Colorado Lokomotiv Yaroslavl KHL
Lubomir Visnovsky NY Islanders Slovan Bratislava KHL
Jakub Voracek Philadelphia HC Lev Praha KHL
Tom Wandell Dallas Severstal Cherepovets KHL
Yannick Weber Montreal Geneva-Servette Swiss National A League
Blake Wheeler Winnipeg EHC Munchen Deutsche Eishockey Liga
Tommy Wingels San Jose Kookoo Mestis (Div II)
Nail Yakupov Edmonton Neftekhimik KHL
Marek Zidlicky New Jersey Kladno Czech Extraliga
Henrik Zetterberg Detroit EV Zug Swiss National A League
Sources: TSN, The Fourth Period and others.

* Updated: Oct 12th

* Niklas Backstrom had signed with Dynamo Minsk, but he got injured and they went with Pekka Rinne instead.

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