Posts Tagged Ottawa Senators

Morning Hits: Burmistrov, Bogosian, Horcoff, Enroth and possible Canucks coaching candidates

  • Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press: Two sources have said that Jets RFA forward Alex Burmistrov has no-intention of re-signing with the team. Burmistrov wanted to be traded at the deadline and the Jets were trying too. Head coach Claude Noel and Burmistrov have had issues for two years, and hit a low when he was made a healthy scratch for four straight games. Names that reportedly came up when the Jets held talks with the Senators (Jakob Silfverberg), Sabres (Drew Stafford) and Islanders (Kyle Okposo). GM Kevin Cheveldayoff won’t let him go for nothing, but his market value is getting muddy. Burmistrov’s agent Mark Gandler would only say that he wasn’t going to sign in the KHL. The Jets haven’t held talks with RFA Zach Bogosian.
  • David Staple of the Edmonton Journal: Should the Oilers buyout Shawn Horcoff? The 35-year old Horcoff’s game has been on the decline and he’s been injured in two of the past three seasons. Horcoff could also be blocking Anton Lander, if the Oilers feel he’s ready. If his salary cap hit isn’t an issue this year, than he still may be a valuable bottom-six forward to have. His salary cap hit may become an issue for season, so if he’s bought out, it would likely be next year and not this summer.
  • John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Jhonas Enroth on whether he’s ready to be the No. 1 in Buffalo if Ryan Miller is moved: “I’m ready.”

    “I’ve been growing a lot,” Enroth said. “I want to play more. My goal is to be a starter one year in the NHL, and right now Ryan is the starter here. It’s kind of hard to take the job from him here, but we’ll see what happens.”

    The Sabres could be dealing at the draft, which could include Miller, though moving goaltenders isn’t always easy.

    “We get to the draft, and everything’s unpredictable,” Miller said. “I mean, everyone thought Luongo was going to get traded, and look where he is. He’s right where he is. … It’s just a weird landscape.”

  • Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: Pap lists possible coaching candidates for the Canucks: Dallas Eakins, Lindy Ruff, Dave Tippett, Scott Arniel and Tom Renney.

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Playoff Notes: Clowe, DeKeyser, Alfredsson, Kunitz and Stralman

  • Dan Rosen: Rangers Ryane Clowe practiced for the first time yesterday since being injured in Game 5 against the Capitals.
  • Craig Custance: Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser is getting close to returning as his cast was to come off yesterday.
  • Renaud Lavoie: Senators Daniel Alfredsson picked up the puck after last night’s game. Lavoie wonders if it was his last game in Ottawa. Ian Mendes: When asked about picking up the puck, Alfredsson said: “because I’ve got a lot of kids at home.” Alfredsson on if it was his last home game: “The focus goes into this game. Whatever happens, happens. It’s not something I’m thinking about.”
  • Andrew Gross of the Bergon Record: Rangers defenseman Anton Stralman only had one shift in the second period and sat out the third period in Game 3. He was hit into the boards by Milan Lucic.

    “He’s played so well that’s a big blow for us as far as our matches and just our depth within our defense,” coach John Tortorella said.

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Injury Notes: Seidenberg, Redden, Ference, Lundqvist, Spezza and Beauchemin

  • Joe McDonald of ESPN: Injured Bruins defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and Wade Redden practiced yesterday and travel with the team to New York.

    “Whether it’s next game or not, we’ll see how he feels [today],” Julien said of Seidenberg.

    “Not too bad,” Redden said. “It’s day-to-day still. I’ve got to talk with [the medical staff] and see where we’re at, but it’s progressing good.”

    Their other injured defenseman, Andrew Ference, doesn’t look as lucky. He was seen last week wearing a walking boot.

  • Mike Mazzeo of ESPN: Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist injured his shoulder in the 3rd period in Game 2 on Sunday.

    “Yeah, it’s under control,” Lundqvist said after practice Monday. “I landed on the ice awkwardly and hurt it a little bit. It’s under control.

    “Everybody’s sore. It’s the playoffs. You can’t just sit out because it’s hurting a little bit. It happens and you just have to make sure you do the right things to make it good.”

  • Erin Nicks of NHL.com: Senators Jason Spezza played his first game since Jan. 27th on Sunday and seems to be feeling no ill effects.

    “I feel good,” Spezza said Monday. “To play a double-overtime game and coming out no worse for wear is definitely positive for me and encouraging that I made the right decision [to play]. I took a pretty good pounding and played more than we had initially planned, but it’s all positive and I hope to get even better as we go on.”

  • Helene Elliott: The Ducks said that defenseman Francois Beauchemin had surgery to repair his ACL. Surgery went well and he hopes to be ready for next season.

 

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Morning Hits: Spezza, Quick, Sharks fined, trade options for Miller and a look at the Canucks

  • Bruce Garrioch: With Jason Spezza returning to the Senators lineup today, would have to assume that Guillaume Latendresse will be sitting.
  • Helene Elliott: Kings Jonathan Quick received a game misconduct that the end of last night’s game. He receives an automatic $200 fine and “the case shall be reported to the commissioner, who shall have full power to impose such further penalties by way of suspension or fine.” Because it was for abuse of an official, if a player receives two of them, they can be suspended. It was Quick’s first abuse of an official.
  • Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider: The NHL didn’t like Sharks GM Doug Wilson’s comments regarding the Raffi Torres suspension and have fined the organization $100,000.
  • Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: It sounds like the Sabres would like to keep Tomas Vanek, but he may be looking to get out. The Sabres may be more interested in trading goalie Ryan Miller. The 33-year old Miller is set to make $6 million next year and may not be easy to move with the salary cap going down. Harrington thinks a team that is close to the winning the Cup may be interested in Miller. Could the Ducks be interested? Jonas Hiller has a year left on his deal and was only OK in their first round loss. The Blues might be interested. Brian Elliott lost four straight in the first round, and Jaroslav Halak may not be getting along with coach Ken Hitchcock. Sabres GM Darcy Regier is unlikely to move Miller to an Eastern Conference team, so that would eliminate the Capitals and perhaps the Penguins. If a non-Cup contending team is interest, maybe the Avalanche. Miller would be an improvement over Semyon Varlamov and JS Giguere.
  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: The Canucks are already over next year’s salary cap with 17 players under contract. Trading Roberto Luongo and buying out Keith Ballard would free up $9.5 million. They would have to be cautious free agent spenders. They probably can’t afford Ryane Clowe, Nathan Horton or David Clarkson. They may have to look at cheaper options like Guillaume Latendresse, Raffi Torres, Eric Nystrom and Bryan Bickell. There isn’t much help from within the organization coming up. Six current Canucks have no-trade clauses, and another three kick in on July 1st: Alex Burrows, Chris Higgins and Alex Edler. Edler may be used as a trade chip. Would the Flyers deal Sean Couturier for Edler? Could the Canucks get a package including Justin Abdelkader from the Red Wings or Jamie McGinn is a deal with the Avalanche.

    “In order to get players to play for less than market value, you have to give them something they can rely upon,” Gillis explained. “I think if a player was unhappy here, he’d waive his no-trade. If we were unhappy with him, it would be obvious and he would waive his no-trade. But that’s not a path we’re looking to right now. I think we need to supplement our core group of players that are here as best we can, and then look at possibilities down the road.”

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Injury Notes: Spezza, Seidenberg, Ference and Redden

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: There is a strong possibility that Jason Spezza will return to the Senators lineup for Game 3 on Sunday. A decision will be made tomorrow morning after their skate. Spezza hasn’t received clearance from doctors yet.

    “He continues to skate on a daily basis and makes progress,” said MacLean Friday. “We’ll go through practice (Saturday) and the pre-game skate and we’ll see where it is. If he’s available to us, it’s Jason Spezza, we’re going to have him in the lineup.”

  • Wayne Scanlan: MacLean on Spezza: “If he’s available he’ll be in the lineup. He’s Jason Spezza.”
  • Fluto Shinzawa: Bruins defensemen Dennis Seidenberg, Andrew Ference and Wade Redden haven’t been ruled out of Game 2.

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Injury Notes: Gryba, Spezza, Erat, Seidenberg, Ference and Redden

  • Ian Mendes: Senators coach Paul MacLean gave no update on the status of defenseman Eric Gryba, but didn’t rule him out for Game 2 just yet.
  • Bruce Garrioch: Senators Jason Spezzastayed in Ottawa to skate with the other black aces and won’t be returning for Game 2. He’s skated everyday for the last two weeks.

    “Everybody on our team is hopeful and everybody in Ottawa is hopeful,” said centre Kyle Turris. “He’s a player you can’t replace. He’s somebody that adds so much to a team and he’s one of the best players in the league.

    “To have him possibly in the lineup, yeah it’s a huge help, but we understand if he’s not we can carry on and continue to play.”

  • Katie Carrera: Capitals Martin Erat dislocated his elbow when he collided with Alex Ovechkin and Derek Stepan in round one. He would have been ready for round two.
  • Joe Haggerty: Bruins defensemen Dennis Seidenberg, Andre Ference and Wade Redden missed practice yesterday. James Murphy of ESPN: GM Peter Chiarelli indicated that they could be without all three tonight. Torey Krughas been recalled.

    “Maybe we have a different look than we’re used to, as far as puck transporting,” Chiarelli said. “Maybe that’s a good thing, but that’s what we’re going to be. We’re calling up Torey Krug today to come along for the ride, so you may see him at a point. Those three D, if they’re in the lineup, give us a little different complexion back there.”

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Injury Notes: Gryba, Howard, Bonino, Getzlaf, Beauchemin, Lydman, Fasth, Bozak and Huberdeau

  • Seth Rorabaugh: Senators coach Paul MacLean said that Eric Gryba will be further evaluated for his “upper-body” injury.
  • Ansar Khan: Red Wings Jimmy Howard left practice early yesterday. He’s had a sore hamstring, but he’s still played well through it.
  • Eric Stephens: Ducks GM Bob Murray said that center Nick Bonino had a torn hamstring, which he suffered playing soccer before a practice in March. Murray added that Ryan Getzlaf’s ankle was never the same after he injured it on March 3rd against the Stars. Francois Beauchemin was playing with a torn ACL for a while and will have surgery soon to repair it. Defenseman Toni Lydman confirmed that he suffered a concussion from the Justin Abdelkader hit. Goalie Viktor Fasth was playing at 80% at the end of the year with a strained lower abdominal muscle.
  • SN 590 The Fan: Maple Leafs assistant GM Claude Loiselle on Tyler Bozak’s injury: “Bozak was dealing with a bicep injury”
  • Allan Walsh: Panthers’ forward Jonathan Huberdeau had successful hip surgery yesterday.

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Playoff hits: Game 1′s, Spezza, Bozak, Holzer, Gunnarson, Blackhawk lines and Vokoun

  • Senators and Penguins – Tuesday May 14th 7:30 pm ET.

    Sharks and Kings – Tuesday May 14th 10:00 pm ET.

    Blackhawks and Red Wings – Wednesday May 15th 8:00 pm ET.

  • Bruce Garrioch: Senators GM Bryan Murray said that they will talk to Jason Spezza after a couple practices. Ian Mendes: Spezza skated with the extras today. Bruce Garrioch: Spezza didn’t make the trip to Pittsburgh, but hasn’t been ruled out for Game 2.
  • Jonas Siegel: Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle wouldn’t update Tyler Bozak’s status. Darren Dreger: Bozak didn’t make the trip with the Leafs to Boston.
  • David Alter: Leafs call up Korbinian Holzer. Could be for precautionary reasons as Carl Gunnarson has been battling hip issues.
  • Scott Powers: Blackhawks lines: Saad-Toews-Hossa, Kane-Bolland-Sharp, Bickell-Shaw-Smith, Frolik-Kruger-Carcillo.
  • Dejan Kovacevic: Penguins Tomas Vokoun hasn’t been told if he’ll be starting or not.

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Playoff hits: Sens-Pens series, Bruins flight canceled, Bolland, Ference and Spezza

  • Bruce Garrioch: The league should decide soon when the Senators-Penguins series starts, lots of logistics for both teams.
  • Matt Pepin of the Boston Globe: The Bruins flight was canceled last night due to mechanical issues with their charter. The Bruins will leave this morning. The Maple Leafs flew out last night. GM Peter Chiarelli released a statement last night:

    “Late during tonight’s game we were made aware that there was a malfunction with our airplane. As a result we are staying in Toronto on Sunday night and the team will travel to Boston on Monday morning.”

  • Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune: Dave Bolland was back practicing in his center spot on the third line over the weekend, and coach Joel Quenneville confirmed that Bolland will be returning to the lineup to start round two.
  • TSN: Senators Jason Spezza practiced with teammates yesterday for the first time since having back surgery on February 1st.

    “It’s been a long process and a long season for me,” Spezza said. “It felt good to join the team again and get some reps in. It may not seem like it and I may not play this year, but for me it’s a small victory.”

    It’s not known if Spezza will travel with the team to Pittsburgh. Coach Paul MacLean doesn’t think he’s ready.

    “He’s a long ways away,” said MacLean after practice.

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Morning Hits: Sunday’s schedule, West scenarios, Hart nominees, Neilsen, Spezza, Avalanche and Canadiens

  • Matt Pepin of the Boston Globe: Sunday’s schedule:

    4:30 p.m.: Washington Capitals at New York Rangers Game 6
    7 p.m.: New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins, Game 7-x
    7:30 p.m.: Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs, Game 6
    10 p.m.: Detroit Red Wings at Anaheim Ducks, Game 7-x

  • Eric Stephens: “If Ducks win Sunday, it’s ANA-LA and SJ-CHI. If DET wins, it plays CHI and SJ faces LA.”
  • John Shannon: Sounding like there is progress being made between the IIHF, NHL, NHLPA regarding the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The major issues remaining appear to be “logistics in Sochi and cost of travel and insurance and who pays.” If/when an agreement is reached, the NHL will be shut down from February 8th to February 25th, 2014.
  • Arthur Staple of Newsday: Islanders Frans Neilsen left Game 5 against the Penguins in the 3rd period and his status for Game 6 is unknown.
  • Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen: Sounds like there is a chance that Jason Spezzawill get back into the Senators lineup for round two. He’s been skating with the black aces/reserves.

    “I think that over the weekend, probably, he’ll continue to work hard and we’ll see then.

    “It’ll then be up to Jason and (coach) Paul (MacLean) to decide if he’s going to practise with the team or take a little longer.

    “But there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

  • Colorado Avalanche: The Avalanche did some management restructuring. Josh Kroenke will be the teams president, replacing Pierre Lacroix, who will stay on as an advisor. Joe Sakic will be their Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and Greg Shermanwill remain as the general manager.

    “Greg Sherman will work with Joe in managing the day-to-day business operations of the team as General Manager,” added Kroenke. “I know he is just as optimistic as Joe and I are about the future of our team.”

  • Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Coyotes coach Dave Tippett’s contract expires on June 30th and would be a home run hire by the Avalanche if they get the opportunity to talk to him. The uncertainty of the ownership situation has left the Coyotes coaching staff and general manager in limbo as they would all like to know where the team may be located before signing deals.
  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Michael Ryder will be one of the Canadiens top free agents heading into the offseason, but they may not be willing to match the money or term that others may offer. Colby Armstrong and Jeff Halpren will be UFAs. Halpren may be worth bringing back. RFAs include: Michael Blunden, Ryan White, Petteri Nokelainen and Gabriel Dumont.

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Morning Hits: Vokoun, Fraser, Gionta, Canadiens injuries, Canucks offseason questions and Blue Jackets free agents

  • Pittsburgh Penguins: Coach Dan Bylsma on starting Tomas Vokoun: “We brought Tomas Vokoun in to play big games for us…He’s done that for us & he’s been very good vs. the #Isles.”
  • James Mirtle: Maple Leafs Mark Fraser was taken to the hospital to check for any broken bones after taking a shot off his face.
  • Renaud Lavoie: Canadiens Brian Gionta will have surgery on Friday for a torn left bicep. He hopes to be ready for training camp.
  • Renaud Lavoie: Brandon Prust and Ryan White are out tonight. Carey Price is day-to-day.
  • Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Ziemer’s thoughts on the Canucks coaching staff.

    The jobs of head coach Alain Vigneault and his staff are most certainly on the line and general manager Mike Gillis is going to face some uncomfortable questions from ownership over the team’s second straight playoff collapse.

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Canucks have the highest payroll going into next season, but trading Roberto Luongo or an amnesty buyout of Keith Ballard($4.2 million for two years) will help them get down below the new cap of $64.3 million. Five questions for the Canucks this offseason are:

    • Do the Canucks have a bona fide No. 1 goalie in Schneider moving forward?
    • Should this team still be built around the Sedins?
    • Will Ryan Kesler ever be injury-free?
    • Does this team have the right supporting cast to still contend?
    • Is it time to retool, rebuild or be patient for one more run with this core?

  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen on contract talks with their free agents, including goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

    “We’re working on them. It’s a work in progress on all fronts. Everything has been started, everything is in progress. We’re waiting to hear back from a few agents. Obviously, Bobrovsky is a high priority for us. I told him in the (exit) meetings that everybody talks about his great play, and sure it was remarkable. But I’m even more impressed with his work ethic, how he prepares for the game and every practice, how he takes care of recovery after every game, the routine he goes through every day. That’s what I’m most impressed about Bobrovsky. He sets the bar high for the rest of the guys. I don’t think anybody’s going to argue with me if we says he’s the MVP of our team this year. If he sets the bar that high with the way he works everyday, it’s going to be hard for anybody else in that room to say, well, I’m not going to do this or that today. That’s what I think it’s all about, your best players being your hardest working players. And that’s what we have in Bob.”

    On Bobrovsky’s contract talks …

    “It’s going to take its course, and it’s going to take its time. Some (deals) are quicker than others. We’ll have to stay more patient with some than others. I don’t anticipate any problems. It’s going to be a negotiation. His agent, his representatives are professionals. They have their thought process and we have ours. I’m sure we’re going to reach a result here in the near future.”

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NHL Video: Senators Eric Gryba’s hit on Canadiens Lars Eller

The NHL will be having a hearing with Ottawa Senators defenseman Eric Gryba for his hit on Montreal Canadiens Lars Eller. Eller suffered a concussion, to go along with facial and dental fractures.

Former NHL referee breaks down the hit in the video.

Do you think he should be suspended? If so, how many games do you think he SHOULD get? How many games WILL he get? (state if you are a Canadiens fan or not)

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