Posts Tagged Patrick Kaleta
Koivu out … Are the Lightning looking for a goalie? No major overhaul for Burke … Gomez has setback and starting goalies
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Starting Goalies on December 16th, 2011
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Wild center Mikko Koivu will miss at least Saturday’s game against the Islanders with a leg injury. GM Chuck Fletcher hopes to have Koivu back before Christmas. Devin Setoguchi, Guillaume Latendresse and P-M Bouchard are not at practice as well.
- Scott Burnside of ESPN: Do the Lightning look for a goalie like Evgeni Nabokov to improve their goalie situation, or do they go after a goalie prospect? Jonathan Bernier could be an option. The Capitals may choose to move Michal Neuvirth to open a spot for Braden Holtby. The Wild could move Josh Harding to open a spot for Matt Hackett.
- Vinay Menon of the Toronto Star: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke isn’t planning on a major overhaul, “We’re looking at fine-tuning now.” Burke added:
“The top-six, bottom-six model is already dead in less than five years. Now it’s a top-eight or top-nine, and bottom-three or four. And speed rules now. It’s all about foot speed.”
“I still think a big team that can skate is going to prevail over a smaller team that can skate. I think the Bruins proved that last year. So I don’t think toughness will ever go out of the game. I don’t think the physical element will ever be diminished.”
- Brian Wilde via twitter: Canadiens center Scott Gomez suffered a setback on Monday. He’ll remain off-ice and there is no timetable on his return.
- Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Senators defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Filip Kuba could be ready for Tuesday. No change on Milan Michalek.
- John Vogl via twitter: Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta “wasn’t feeling well” this morning, missed the morning skate and is questionable for tonight.
- David Alter via twitter: James Reimer will start in net for the Maple Leafs against the Sabres. Jonas Gustavsson will start in net tomorrow.
- Mike Heika via twitter: Richard Bachman will start in net for the Stars against Johan Hedberg and the Devils.
- Ian Mendes via twitter: Alex Auld will start in net for the Senators tonight against the Penguins.
- George Richards via twitter: Jose Theodore will start in net for the Panthers against the Flames.
Afternoon notes on Comeau, Bergfors, Perron, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Ryan, Jagr, Pitkanen, Bogosian, Filatov, Ennis and Backstrom
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL News, NHL Rumors on November 24th, 2011
- Arthur Staple via twitter: The Islanders have placed forward Blake Comeau on waivers. He has no points in 16 games and is a -11. BD Galiof via twitter: Galiof wonders if a team like the Blue Jackets will take a chance on Comeau. Comeau on waivers means that no team was offering value back, or the Islanders think he can pass through. The Islanders were close to trading him in the summer before GM Garth Snow was able to get the price down on a new contract. Expect the Islanders to be willing to do the same with Reasoner and Rolston if their play doesn’t pick up. Galiof thinks that Comeau could be better on a low-end teams 2nd line. Didn’t play well on the Isles 3rd/4th lines.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Predators have put Niclas Bergfors on unconditional ($125) waivers. If he clears, they will mutually agree to terminate contract.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Blues winger David Perron is itching to get playing, and is getting closer.
“There’s no date,” Perron said. “It’s just a matter of getting into practices and seeing how I react. It’s only been like four or five days (since he was cleared for contact) and I haven’t done a whole lot of it. We have a lot of games right now and a lot of optional skates and when it’s optional, it’s more about shooting and conditioning, so we haven’t gotten a lot of (physicality) yet.”
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman:
“I never believe you do something just to do something,” Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said. “You just try to make the team better, whether that’s through recalling somebody or a trade. I’m not going to react. You just have to assess your team.”
“In general, teams really are not looking to take on contracts, take on money this time of the year and it’s hard to make a trade,” Yzerman said. “It’s hard to find a fit with teams because teams don’t want to give up their draft picks. Teams don’t want to give up their young guys.”
- Eric Stepens of the OC Register: Ducks forward Bobby Ryan suffered a hip contusion and didn’t come out for the 3rd period last night.
- Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: Flyers winger Jaromir Jagr aggravated his groin last night, and will likely miss at least 2 games. “We got two games and then five days off,” Jagr said. “I think I’m not going to play those two games and make sure when I come back I want to come back strong.”
- Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen could return on Sunday according to coach Paul Maurice. No decision on who will come out.
- Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes lines at practice: Skinner, Staal, Ruutu; Poni, Jussi, LaRose; Tlusty, Sutter, Dwyer; Brett Sutter, Brent, Stewart.
- Jonas Siegel via twitter: Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer is taking part in his 1st practice since Nov. 1st. Reimer will be out at least another 10 days.
- David Alter via twitter: Leafs lines at practice: Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, MacA-Connolly-Kulie, Frattin-Colborne-Crabb, Steckel-Dupuis-Rosehill, extras, Orr,Grabovski. David Alter via twitter: Grabovski will be out at least another week.
- Jonas Gustavsson via twitter: Jonas Gustavsson will start in net for the Maple Leafs tomorrow.
- Stephen Whyno via twitter: Shanahan video ruling on Zach Bogosian won’t come until tomorrow.
- Joy Lindsay via twitter: Nikita Filatov says he’ll have a meeting with Senators GM Bryan Murray in the future, to discuss his future. Expects it to be next week.
- John Vogl via twitter: Sabres forward Tyler Ennis will not play on Friday. Patrick Kaleta is also out, so they will need to call up a forward.
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom missed last night’s game due to personal reasons and is expected to return to the team in a few days.
- Brent Sopel via twitter: Sopel says that he’s turned down 3 NHL teams as he won’t break his current contract.
Shanahan videos of Kaleta being suspended for 4 games and talking with NHL Live about 1 month of season
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Suspensions, NHL Videos on November 4th, 2011
Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta has been suspended for 4 games for head butting Flyers forward Jakob Voracek.
Chief disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan discusses the 1st month of the NHL season and why some plays didn’t receive suspensions.
Flames interested in Turris, shopping Bourque … Oilers in no need to rush Gagner trade … Kaleta hearing today … Green has setback … Hedberg starts
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on November 3rd, 2011
- Scott Cruickshank of the Calgary Herald: It’s no secret that the Flames and Senators have shown interest in Kyle Turris. Cruickshank wonders exactly how much talent does he have? He had only 25 points in 65 games last year. He is still young, and was the 3rd overall pick in 2007. If the Flames were to win the bidding war for him, what if they give him Matt Stajan money and he turn out to be Matt Stajan. If they were to get him, they would have a nice young core up the middle with Turris, 22, and Mikael Backlund, 22, and Roman Horak, 20. What the cost would be is the big question?
- Mark Spector of Sportsnet: Flames GM Jay Feaster said he’s not doing a full rebuild in Calgary and won’t subject fans to having a team finish at the bottom of the standings for several years. Word is that he’s been shopping Rene Bourque and is interested in Turris.
- David Staple of the Edmonton Journal: Staples take on the Sam Gagner trade rumors. With the emergence of several defenseman, the need of an upgrade along the blueline is not that pressing at the moment. They appear to have 4 capable blueliners, even without Ryan Whitney. By the trade deadline, the Oilers may have to move someone, either Ales Hemsky, Gagner or Linus Omark. Other wingers haven’t solidified themselves as long term Oilers/top line NHLers: Ryan Smyth (UFA at seasons end), Ryan Jones and Magnus Paajarvi. There is no rush for the Oilers to rush into a deal. They need to see if Smyth and Hemsky can stay healthy, if Gagner can pick it up, and if Omark and Paajarvi can put up points in the NHL.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Though it’s hard to forecast ahead, Dater thinks the Avs could spend some of their cap space on the right rental player.
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta will have a hearing at 1:00 pm today for an incident in the 1st period of last night’s game.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Jeff Carter will travel with the team to Philadelphia this weekend, but won’t play. Kristian Huselius practiced in a no-contact jersey yesterday for the 1st time since he torn his chest muscle in July. He’s still weeks away. Winger Jared Boll is also weeks away.
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals defenseman Mike Green had an apparent setback yesterday as he wasn’t able to skate for more than 10 minutes. He’s doubtful for Friday, and has missed 3 games so far.
“If I feel good I’ll play,” Green said. “It’s day to day. I wake up each day, it feels a little bit better, tomorrow could be a lot better than today.
“It’s just one of the things, with your ankles and the skate,” Green added. “If I can’t skate, I cant play. The swelling stayed down; it’s just a matter of getting it strong and comfortable enough to play. I figure in the next couple days it should be strong and we can go from there.”
- Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Johan Hedberg will start in net for the Devils tonight against the Flyers.
- Dan Murphy via twitter: Cory Schneider will start in net for the Canucks tonight against Josh Harding and the Wild.
Afternoon notes involving Murray, Kronwall, Green, Kovalchuk, Colborne, Briere and starting goalies
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on April 8th, 2011
- Ian Mendes via twitter: Senators GM Bryan Murray signed a 3 year contract extension.
- Detroit Red Wings via twitter: Babcock confirmed the Niklas Kronwall will return for Game 1 of the playoffs.
- Katie Carrera via twitter: Capitals defenseman Mike Green practiced today and expects to play tomorrow. Says his physical condition is “about 90 percent.”
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Ilya Kovalchuk’s mom said he’s playing with a huge hematoma in his leg. Tom Gulitti via twitter: Kovalchuk on his mom’s comments, “She didn’t say it’s huge.”
- Michael Traikos via twitter: Maple Leafs call up Joe Colborne, centered Joffery Lupul and Phil Kessel at practice. Tyler Bozak centering 3rd line.
- Sam Carchidi via twitter: Daniel Briere will play tonight, Jody Shelley cleared to play.
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Jhonas Enroth will be in net for the Sabres tonight, Ryan Miller will back him up. Patrick Kaleta and Mike Grier are out.
- Katie Strang via twitter: Al Montoya will start in net for the Islanders tonight.
- Chris Johnston via twitter: Carey Price will start in net tomorrow against the Maple Leafs.
Fleischmann done for year … Red Wings sign Nabokov, awaits waivers and waiver rule craziness … Sturm and Niittymaki to IR
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 21st, 2011
- Terry Frei of the Denver Post: The Avalanche will be with Tomas Fleischmann for the remainder of the year, as he was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. He has a blood clot in each of his lungs and will be on blood thinners “for several months.”
- George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings and Evgeni Nabokov have agreed on a one year, pro-rated $570,000 contract, $250,000 for the rest of the year. He’ll have to clear waivers now, and we’ll know by noon tomorrow if someone claims him. Backup Chris Osgood is expected to be out 6-8 weeks after sports hernia surgery. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch thinks the Senators should make a claim on Nabokov. Bob McKenzie via twitter: McKenzie thinks there is something in the deal that would “discourage” teams from claiming Nabokov. Spector Hockey via twitter: Would be surprised if he goes unclaimed, deal has a no-movement clause. Rich Chere via twitter: The Devils could claim Nabokov (first waiver priority), put him on waivers, the Red Wings could claim him and complete their transaction. Capgeek via twitter: “Any team with unsuccessful first claim on Nabokov would have priority if acquiring team turned around and placed him on waivers again.” If Nabokov has an NMC and was waived a second time, he could potentially block waiver process but not choose a claiming team.” “If ONLY ONE team submits a claim for Nabokov, acquires him, and waives him again, Detroit would then have priority.” Elliott Friedman via twitter: “@capgeek However, section 13.20 (b) also says team in your case number one would have to accept same deal as Detroit offers. Interesting.” “So, possibility exists Detroit could offer more (a higher draft pick, maybe?) than other teams willing to pay. We’ll see how it plays out.”
- Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks GM Mike Gillis told a Toronto radio station that Sami Salo may not return this year, which is nothing new as he’s said that along. “Nothing has changed,” Gillis added after yesterday’s practice “We’re unsure about whether he’ll play, but he’s making progress. That’s completely consistent with everything we’ve said. This is a devastating injury. It can be a career-ending injury. Sami’s at the point where he’s not 24 or 25, so this is going to take time.”
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Patrick Kaleta, who just returned on Tuesday from his broken (still wearing a cast), blocked a shot with at that hand. Results came back negative and he’s not expected to be out too long.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Chris Phillips hasn’t had any recent discussions with the Senators. “I’d like to be part of the solution here,” said Phillips. “We’ll find out if I’m part of the plans.” Garrioch thinks he’ll be traded.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch wonders if Senators coach Cory Clouston will be fired after last night’s ‘gong show’ 6-2 loss to the Flyers. Craig Hartsburg was fired 2 years ago with the same 17-24-7 record.
- David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Antero Niittymaki has been placed on the IR with a lower-body injury. The Sharks had to sign Jordan White of UBC to a one game amateur tryout contract yesterday.
- The Globe and Mail Podcast: “Globe hockey writers Eric Duhatschek, David Shoalts and James Mirtle join host Darren Yourk to talk about changing attitudes in the head-shot debate as Sidney Crosby remains sidelined, woeful losses for the Leafs and Flames and Evgeni Nabokov exploring a deal with the Detroit Red Wings.”
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Marco Sturm has been placed on the IR by the LA Kigns with tendinitis is his left knee, not the knee that he had surgery on last year. Wings Scott Parse skated yesterday for the first time since having hip surgery in November, his return had been set for 3-4 months.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Dreger wonders why the Maple Leafs don’t go with a lower salary and different structure? A longshot but it’s possible.
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Leafs goalie JS Giguere once again said he’d consider waiving his no-trade clause.
“I haven’t waived my no trade, I haven’t talked to Burke at all about it, but I’ve said, if Burke was to come see me, I would owe him the respect to think about it and talk to my family about it,” said Giguere.
“When and if this happens, we’ll see what happens.”
Giguere carries a $7 million salary and $6 million cap hit this year. Giguere likes it in Toronto, and they may consider keeping him around to mentor the younger goalies,
“I see it (a role for myself in Toronto), but I don’t know what management wants,” said Giguere. “Maybe they want to go with the young guys. Maybe they want to have an older guy with a young guy. “
Sabres to get Connolly, Myers back … Rangers lose Christensen … Whitney in walking cast … Thrashers have offers for Bergfors
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on December 31st, 2010
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: The Buffalo Sabres will get Tim Connolly back tomorrow night after missing 4 games with a fractured nose. Tyler Myers has missed the last couple games with an illness should be back as well. Patrick Kaleta suffered an upper body injury on Tuesday and is likely out tomorrow.
- Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: Erik Christensen will be out of the Rangers lineup for 4-6 weeks with a sprained MCL.
- Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney is wearing a walking cast. When the swelling goes down he’ll be heading to see a specialist, which might not be for another couple of weeks. The best case scenario could see him only missing a month but it will likely be longer than that.
- Katie Strang of Newsday: Kyle Okposo has been skating in full gear recently but won’t join the NY Islanders on their upcoming 11 day road trip.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Vancouver Canucks have put Ryan Parent on waivers. Boston’s Wyatt Smith cleared waivers.
- Kevin Allen of the USA Today: The Atlanta Thrashers are looking to move Niclas Bergfors as coach Craig Ramsey doesn’t seem to think that Bergfors fits into the teams style of play. They have several offers for him and his $900,000 contract. Allen thinks they are probably trying to get a better pick or prospect, and might be looking to get a 2nd round pick or an advanced prospect for him. They aren’t looking for a roster player for him.
- Stamkos was one of the Tampa players who complained about Linus Omark’s hot dogging spin-o-rama, but he pulled a nice one last night ….
Waffle thrower revealed … Datsyuk breaks hand … Miller going for win #200 …. Gaborik out tonight.
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on December 23rd, 2010
- Jennifer Pagliaro of the Globe and Mail: Waffles have been a hot topic around the Toronto Maple Leafs recently, with the 2nd waffle throwing incident taking place on Monday. But this time the culprit was caught. Joe Robb was charged with mischief after he thew a box of Eggo’s over the boards during play. Joe is a ‘diehard’ fan, but is frustrated with the team. “I didn’t intend for it to hurt nobody and maybe I shouldn’t have done it while the play was going on,” the 31-year-old Oakville resident told The Globe and Mail Wednesday. “I totally love the Leafs and that’s pretty much my hobby, to watch the team play.” He’s been banned “indefinitely” from the ACC and other MLSE venues. In case you haven’t seen the video, it’s at the bottom of this post. Keep your eye on just above the Rogers sign to see Joe in action.
- John Niyo of the Detroit News: Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk will be out for at least a month after breaking a bone in his right hand last night. Datsyuk tripped over Mikael Samuelsson and fell awkwardly with less than 2 minutes left in the first.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Dreger wonders what kind of trade interested there would be in Islanders goalie Dwayne Roloson
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller will go for career win number 200. He would be the 67th goalie to reach 200 wins. The 30 year old Miller has posted a career 199-114-37 record.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Keith Yandle is the Coyotes leading scorer and will be an RFA at season’s end. He’s currently making $1.3 million and will be looking for a nice raise. GM Don Maloney can’t do anything until the new owner takes over. Both sides will be paying attention to other RFAs Shea Weber, Jack Johnson, and Drew Doughty.
- Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: Marian Gaborik was unable to practice yesterday and will not be in the lineup for the NY Rangers tonight. Gaborik could return on Monday. Michael Del Zotto is out with the flue. The Norwegian Hobbit Mats Zuccarello was called up to yesterday. Ryan Callahan will be out until February with a broken left hand.
- Ken B|elson of the NY Times: Practically every team has inquired about hosting or participating in the 2012 Winter Classic, the Commish Gary Bettman, said it’s too early to say where it will be held next New Year’s Day. The league had hoped to hold a game at Yankee stadium but the “Pinstripe Bowl” is held a few days before New Year’s Day.
- David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: SJ Sharks Douglas Murray skated yesterday but it’s still not known if he’ll return tonight. Antero Nittymaki (12-3-3, 2.31 GAA) may have the upper hand over Antti Niemi (6-8-2, 3.15 GAA). Coach Todd McLellan will still continue to use both goalies, but my go with the hotter goalie more often.
- Don O’Neill of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: St. Louis Blues injured forward TJ Oshie skated for 45 minutes before yesterday’s optional skate. Oshie broke his left ankle on Nov. 10th and is projected to be re-evaluated in mid-February. Patrick Berglund left Tuesday’s game early but will be in the lineup tonight.
- James O’Brien of Pro Hockey Talk (NBC Sports): Cam Ward is likely to play tonight despite having an infection on his forehead that swelled up so bad it almost closed his left eye. Matt Bradley will be out for 2-4 weeks with a broken finger. Patrick Kaleta is listed as day-to-day after only playing 1 period on Tuesday.
Markov’s season likely over? Carcillo out 2 weeks … Gagne practicing but not game ready
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on November 16th, 2010
- Tony Marinaro via twitter: “Specifics on Andrei Markov: Partial tear ACL graft right knee, associated bone contusions, large radial tear, moderate knee joint defusion.” Source told Marinaro that “Seeing Markov needed 6 months recovery time last time that his guess is Markov’s season is likely over.” Since it’s the same knee that he injured before and that he’s a UFA this year, he’ll likely not rush back. A hamstring tendon was used in his first surgery to repair his knee, can use a hamstring or achilles tendon from a cadaver this time around.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Dan Carcillo will be out of the Flyers lineup for at least 2 weeks with a sprained MCL. Carcillo left in the 2nd period last night, and will have an MRI done today if the knee isn’t too swollen.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Johnny Boychuk could be in the Bruins lineup Wednesday night.”Depending on how his wrist is or his arm is there’s always a possibility we could see him in Wednesday’s game,” said coach Claude Julien.
- Erik Erlendsson via twitter: Simon Gagne is practicing with the Lightning today, but not expected to travel with the team.
- Chris Vivlamore via twitter: Both Freddy Modin (upper-body) and Eric Boulton are not practicing with the Thrashers today.
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta left in the 2nd period last night with an upper-body injury.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: The Toronto Maple Leafs are the youngest team in the NHL as of yesterday.
Around the Boards: Ilya’s Agent meeting with Waddell tomorrow, Redden Unhappy with Benching, Schenn returns, No suspension for Ruutu
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 18th, 2009
- Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Thrashers GM Don Waddell is denying reports that contract negotiations with Ilya Kovalchuk are at an impasse are “certainly false”. Kovalchuk’s agent and Waddell will be having a meeting on Saturday. A Russian paper is reporting that the Thrashers rejected a 10 year, $11.5 per season deal, and the might be talking trade with Vancouver and Los Angeles. I’m not sure how much you can believe of the Russian report as the max Ilya can receive is $11.3 million.
- Michael Obernauer of the NY Daily News: Obernauer is reporting that Wade Redden is unhappy with being a healthy scratch last night. Gee Wade, I bet management, coaches and most players are unhappy that you are getting paid an average of $6.5 million a year, and will be for another 4 years.
- Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star: Luke Schenn will make his way from the press box into the Maple Leafs lineup tonight, with Jeff Finger the mostly scratch. Victor Stalberg was recalled from the AHL Marlies, and Jonas Gustavsson will back up Vesa Toskala.
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: The Sens Jarkko Ruutu won’t be suspended for his hit to the head on the Sabres Patrick Kaleta. I think I heard a faint clap around the league when people saw Kaleta on the receiving end of a ‘Kaleta type hit’. You’ll hear a faint clap around the league when someone smokes Ruutu.
- Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Brennan reports Jesse Winchester will be moving in to the #1 center spot between Daniel Alfredsson and Milan Michalek …. Yikes
Around the Boards: Gonchar, Changes in Carolina Coming, Teams asking about Hagman
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on November 29th, 2009
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
- Contract talks between Sergei Gonchar and the Pittsburgh Penguins have been put on hold. Gonchar has a $5 million cap hit this year, but could probably get more as a UFA. The Pens would like to bring him back but it will need to be at a cap friendly, hometown discount number.
- Blues coach Andy Murray could be the first coach to be fired this season, and former Thrashers coach Bob Hartley could be his replacement.
- The Hurricanes could be looking to dump salaries, and players possibly on the move are Aaron Ward ($2.5 mill.), Joe Corvo ($2.75 mill.), Niclas Wallin ($1.725 mill.) and Ray Whitney.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:
- Despite all the injuries, don’t expect the Red Wings to add any players. Niklas Kronwal, Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula, Jason Williams and Adreas Lilja are all out with injuries, but they’ll be too close to the salary cap ceiling to add anyone that has a mid to high cap number.
- Four teams have inquired about Niklas Hagman, with one of them being Anaheim. Burke doesn’t really want to move him unless he’s blown away. Hagman has nice cap number of $3 million for the next 2 seasons.
- With the lack of trade talk out there, with so many teams almost capped out, Brian Burke will most likely once again push the idea of ‘retaining salary in trades’ at the next GM meetings. Burke thinks this will create the opportunity for more trades, others think it will create ‘Dead Money’.
- The Oilers are deep on the blueline and have reportedly been shopping shopping struggling Tom Gilbert. Gilbert could be tough to move with a cap number of $4 million, and 4 years left (after this season).
- Hockey Night in Canada’s “Hotstove’ – Some of what LeBrun mentions in the above, is talked about on the Hotstove.
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Sabres Patrick Kaleta was suspended for 2 games for hit on Jared Ross.
Kaleta Suspended
The Buffalo Sabres will be without Patrick Kaleta for two games after the forward was suspended by the NHL on Saturday.
Kaleta took a major boarding penalty and a game misconduct in the first period of Friday’s game against the Flyers when he hit Philadelphia centre Jared Ross. Ross left the game and did not return.
Kaleta has three goals and three assists in 21 games this season. He is eligible to return to action on Dec. 3 against Montreal. (source:TSN)
It looks like fellow colleague Mark was right earlier today when he posted (in his daily “Around The Boards” column) that Kaleta would receive a suspension for his hit on Jared Ross of the Flyers last night.
I’m not really sure I agree with this decision, and I admit that I’m not overly familiar with this Kaleta character, but I felt like Jared Ross turned his back at the last minute. The problem with being a “usual suspect”, like Kaleta apparently is, is that there’s no way you’ll get the benefit of the doubt that the hit was un-intentional, and the NHL is going to make an example out of you.
We all know that there has been a double standard regarding a players star status vs length of suspension for years. Lets face the facts here, the NHL is a business and it isn’t good for business to suspend Alex Ovechkin for a borderline hit.
We could go through example after example of grinder type players getting the shaft or star players getting off easy but it boils down to this; It is much better to make an example out a guy who won’t affect the bottom line…A player with OV’s star status will make opposing teams money when the Capitals come to town (outside of the large markets, that sell out anyway, like Toronto and New York for example) so it’s in all the owners best interest to keep him on skates and selling tickets.
Kaleta, on the other hand, well…….enough said.
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