Posts Tagged Patrick Sharp
State of the Chicago Blackhawks: NHL Trade Deadline Edition
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 25th, 2012
Today is the 1st installment of our expanded NHL Trade Deadline coverage. We’ll be posting team outlooks leading up to trade deadline over the next couple weeks from a variety of contributing writers.
Written by Tab Bamford of TheFourthPeriod.com and can be found on twitter at @The1Tab
The Chicago Blackhawks are in the mix for the best record in the Western Conference, but are equally close to fourth place in the Central Division. With a good, young core locked up and over $5 million in cap space, the Blackhawks will be buyers at the deadline.
What will be the Blackhawks wants/needs?
1. Top-four defenseman
The Hawks have one of the best top pairs in the league with Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, but have been searching for the right formula all season in the wake of Brian Campbell being traded to Florida during the draft.
Nick Leddy’s developing nicely, but has been better when held under 20 minutes per game over the last month. Meanwhile, Niklas Hjalmarsson appears to have peaked as a number 4-5 defenseman who excels at blocking shots and killing penalties, but has not taken the next step in his development yet.
Some players the Hawks might target include Tim Gleason in Carolina, Hal Gill and/or Chris Campoli in Montreal, and, if Brian Burke puts him on the market, Cody Franson.
Afternoon notes on Sharp, Beauchemin, Jacques, Fraser, Brule, Eberle, Bozak, Souray, Riberio, Roy, Skinner, Letang and Markstrom
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Starting Goalies on January 9th, 2012
- Adam Jahns via twitter: Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp will be out 3 to 4 weeks with a upper-body injury. Tim Sassone via twitter: Though not confirmed, it is believed that Sharp has a broken bone in his left hand/wrist.
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin and forward JF Jacques will have hearings at 4 and 5 pm today.
- Eric Stephens via twitter: The Ducks have put defenseman Mark Fraser on waivers.
- Edmonton Oilers via twitter: The Oilers have put forward Gilbert Brule on re-entry waivers. Magnus Paajarvi and Ryan O’Marra have been recalled.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bernstein thinks the Kings could use Jack Johnson as trade bait for an impact forward.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Lightning have signed Tom Pyatt to a 2 year extension, 1-way at $600,000 per season.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: The Blues have signed Ryan Reaves to a 2 year extension at $600,000 per season.
- Joanne Ireland via twitter: Oilers forward Jordan Eberle will have an MRI today, no update until results are in.
- James Mirtle via twitter: Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak is at least a week away.
- Shelly Anderson via twitter: The Penguins have recalled Eric Tangradi.
- Mark Stepneski via twitter: There is about a 60% chance that Stars defenseman Sheldon Souray plays tomorrow. Center Mike Riberio will be out tomorrow. He’s having an MRI on his knee today to make sure everything is OK.
- Mike Harrington via twitter: Sabres center Derek Roy is wearing a no-contact jersey today at practice.
- Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner is wearing a no-contact jersey at practice today.
- Dave Moninari via twitter: Penguins defenseman Kris Letang skated hard today. It doesn’t mean he’ll be in the lineup soon, but it’s a positive sign.
- Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: Panthers goalie Jacob Markstrom joins Jose Theodore on the sideline with a knee injury.
- James Mirtle via twitter: Jonas Gustavsson is expected to start for the Leafs tomorrow.
- Mark Stepneski via twitter: Kari Lehtonen is expected to start for the Stars tomorrow.
Ryan more likely than Getzlaf to be traded … Ruutu will draw interest … Carter separates shoulder … Penguins lose Staal, Neal and Adams
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 9th, 2012
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson doesn’t see the Ducks trading Ryan Getzlaf. A league executive said that Bobby Ryan is the most likely to be moved. Philadelphia seems like a logical bet for Ryan. Matheson can see James van Riemsdyk in a package. The Ducks might ask for Brayden Schenn and may ask for a defenseman like Braydon Coburn. Sean Couturier is off-limits. The Maple Leafs would love Getzlaf but Burke may not have the pieces to get him. What would he offer: Lupul, Gardiner or Kadri? The Oilers would be interested. Nugent-Hopkins, Hall and Eberle are untouchable which would leave players like: Sam Gagner, Ladislav Smid, Tom Gilbert, Magnus Paajarvi, Oscar Klefbom, Tyler Pitlick, Teemu Hartikainen, Jeff Petry. The Blackhawks are looking for another defenseman with Hurricanes Tim Gleason or Bryan Allen making sense. They’d like Lubomir Visnovsky, but he under contract for next year with a $3 million salary but a $5.6 million cap hit. The Capitals, Penguins and Sharks could be interested in Hurricanes winger Tuomo Ruutu as a rental.
- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: The Oilers are actively looking for a defenseman and there is an outside chance they shut Ryan Whitney down for the season. Winger Ales Hemsky’s time in Edmonton could be coming to an end.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Bruins Brad Marchand will have his hearing today at noon with Brendan Shanahan. Ducks J.F. Jacques will likely have a hearing at some point for his hit on R.J. Umberger.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Vladimir Tarasenko was traded to Dynamo Moscow, which likely means he’ll be joining the St. Louis Blues over the summer.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter suffered a separated shoulder last night. “We’ll see where he’s at and we’ll get more detail tomorrow,” coach Scott Arniel said. He suffered the injury on a blindsided hit by Francois Beauchemin. Winger Cody Bass won’t have shoulder surgery, he’ll rehab it and hopes to play again this season. Forward Mark Letestu will have surgery today on a broken pinky finger metacarpal and will be out 6 weeks.
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins have lost Jordan Staal for 4 to 6 weeks with a knee injury. He has damage to his MCL and it won’t require surgery. Winger James Neal broke his foot on Saturday. “In the next few days we’ll see what that timetable looks like, but it’s weeks, not days,” Bylsma said. Craig Adams injured his knee during practice after a collision in yesterday’s practice.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller pulled himself in the 1st period of last night’s game. Iiro Tarkki filled in for Hiller. The Ducks usual backup Dan Ellis re-injured his groin on Saturday and will be out for 4 weeks. Kyle Palmieri and Jean-Francois Jacques were recalled. Andrew Gorden was assigned to the AHL and George Parros was put on the IR.
- Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp suffered an upper-body injury in the 1st and didn’t return. “We’re going to have some tests with him (and we’ll) know more (Monday),” Quenneville said.
- Katie Carrera of the OC Register: Capitals Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green didn’t practice yesterday. Though no update was given other than being day-to-day, it seems they are bracing for not having either in the lineup against the Kings, and possibly longer. Lines at practice: Semin-Johansson-Knuble, Ovechkin-Laich-Brouwer, Chimera-Halpern-Ward, Hendricks-Perreault-Beagle. Defensive pairings: Alzner-Carlson, Hamrlik-Wideman, Erskine-Orlov, Schultz.
Blackhawks could use a 2nd line center … Bruins have plenty of cap space … Board of Governors meetings … Stastny injured
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 5th, 2011
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Blackhawks have moved Patrick Kane back to wing, which likely means they are back in the market for a 2nd line center. David Bolland is best suited for the 3rd line role and Patrick Sharp is a winger and not a centerman. Couldn’t blame the Blackhawks if they were looking at Oilers Sam Gagner.
- Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: The Bruins currently about $3.1 million in cap space, and could have a lot more if they put Marc Savard on LTIR. They are looking out for deals, but there is no urgency to change their lineup. They may be cautious spending as they have upcoming UFAs: Chris Kelly, Gregory Campbell, Daniel Paille, Shawn Thornton, Johnny Boychuk and Joe Corvo; as well as RFAs: Tuuka Rask and Benoit Pouliot.
“We’ve got a lot of cap space and we’ve got (long-term injury) space, so we’re in a good position to do something,” Chiarelli said last week. “But we’ve won 12 out of 13 (games). My point is, the timing has to be right and the player has to be right. It’s hard to find the right time, especially when you’ve won 12 out of 13 — and when there really aren’t a lot of players available now.“I’m always looking. I’m not actively seeking a player, but I’m listening to teams and seeing where the market is.”
- David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: On the Agenda for the Board of Governors meets is realignment, the state of the Coyotes and Blues sales, and their European operations. They will also look at on-ice matter like concussions and the competitive balance within the league. 20 out of 30 votes would be needed to approve new realignment (One 4 conference realignment option can be viewed in yesterday’s post). The BOG will also get a report from Bill Daly on where things are with the NHLPA regarding the CBA that expires next September.
- Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Avalanche center Paul Stastny suffered a “torso injury” in the 3rd period last night. A better update will happen today at practice.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Blues defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo should be back in the lineup this week. He’s missed the last 8 games with a left hamstring injury.
- Scott Cruickshank of the Calgary Herald: The Flames will likely be going with “organizational depth” along the blueline while Mark Giordano is out. GM Jay Feaster said there is at least 16 teams trying to get a defenseman that could come in and help.
- Mark Masters via twitter: Jonas Gustavsson will start in net for the Maple Leafs tonight. James Reimer will start in net tomorrow against the Devils.
Could Rangers be interested in Leafs Dmen? Iginla practicing … Halvat needing clearence … Orpik may not be ready … Saad makes ‘Hawks … Schenn’s contract notes
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on October 5th, 2011
- Ron Wilson via twitter: Wilson says: “Steckel immediately improves our PK. Size is a huge bonus. Faceoffs are going to help bigtime in all areas. Can also help on the wing!”
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: The Maple Leafs are still working the phones after the Steckel trade. They have a surplus of defenseman. Nothing is imminent.
- Josh Rimer via twitter: The Rangers need another defenseman, and could they be looking at Carl Gunnarsson or Mike Komisarek? Cody Franson could be another, he’s not happy being a 7th Dman.
- Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: Flames captain Jarome Iginla was back skating with teammates after taking 2 weeks off with a bad back. Iginla said: “We definitely took more time to make sure (it’s 100%) and everything’s been really positive. Hopefully, it’s just a one-off and not an issue down the road.” Iginla is 16 goals away from 500.
- David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Sharks forward Martin Havlat headed to Cleveland yesterday to have his shoulder examined by his surgeon. If all goes well he’ll get clearance for Saturday’s opener. Tommy Wingels and Jamie McGinn are battling for the last forward spot on the 3rd line with Michal Handzus and Torrey Mitchell.
- Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: The Flyers have split up the defensive pairing of Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn, who have been together since 2007-08. Timonen is paired with Andrej Meszaros, Coburn with Andeas Lilja. Chris Pronger skates with Matt Carle.
- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik practiced yesterday but he doesn’t know when he’ll be able to go. The Pens open up at Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.
- Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: 2011 2nd round pick, Brandon Saad, signed a 3 year entry level deal, and made the Blackhawks opening roster. He also made the ‘Hawks top line, along side Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews.
- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: The Islanders signed Jay Pandolfo to a 1 year, $600,000 deal.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: There is zero chance the Blues make a claim on Sean Avery.
- Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Devils forward Travis Zajac is out of his walking boot and has begun physical therapy. GM Lou Lamoriello said the “worst-case scenario” would have Zajac return “some time after New Year’s.”
- Sam Carchidi via twitter: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said that Brayden Schenn needs to play some game in the AHL but could be back fairly soon. Schenn has a “B” bonus of $1.265 million this year if he played 25 or more in all 82 games. Dustin Leed via twitter: Capgeek confirms that Schenn’s contract will dip to a $1.7 million cap hit from $3.1 million after 1 day in the minors. Darren Dreger via twitter: 1 AHL game makes his cap hit $1.75 million. He’ll get a $900,000 salary and $850,000 in bonuses. He has a similar “B” bonus next year with a $1.405 payout for all 82 NHL games.
Leafs still after top forward … Touch icing breaks another leg (with video) … Scheifele making case, but no contract yet … Wings promised move to East
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on October 1st, 2011
- Darren Dreger of TSN: Brendan Shanahan said he’s not pushing to have fighting removed from hockey. The Leafs will put Nazem Kadri on the IR, which allows them to keep an extra player around for the time being. They will keep 8 defenseman, Matt Lashoff will likely go down, Keith Aulie and Jake Gardiner will be closely monitored. The Leafs are interested in adding another top forward. They are looking for a someone with size and a track record of making an impact, and are willing to trade two younger guys. A deal may not happen until November after teams have more time to assess their talent.
- Helene Elliott via twitter: The Kings have signed Trent Hunter to a 1 year deal, he had been on a tryout.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Players on waivers yesterday: Daugavins, OTT; A Campbell,L.A; Desbiens, CGY; Kennedy, FLA; Maroon, ANA; Sloan, NSH; Festerling, WPG; Machacek, WPG.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils coach Peter DeBoer did not say it directly, but it sounds like defenseman Adam Larsson will make the team.
- Helene Elliott via twitter: Drew Doughty’s salary breakdown: 2011-12 $6 million, 2012-13 $6.5 million, 2013-14 $6.7 million, 2014-15 $7.0 million, 2015-16 $7.1 million, 2016-17 $7.45 million, 2017-18 $7.6 million, 2018-19 $7.65 million. There is no no-trade clause.
- Chris Kuc via twitter: Blackawks forward Dave Bolland is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, it not serious according to coach Quenneville.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: Coyotes RFA Kyle Turris’ agent has spoken with Coyotes GM Don Maloney a couple times and continue to have positive discussions. Agent Kurt Overhardt wouldn’t comment on whether Turris wants to be traded.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Touch icing took it’s toll on Oilers rookie defenseman Taylor Fedun. Fedun was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right femur after being spilled by Wild’s Eric Nystrom. (video at the bottom of the post)
- Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: 2011 1st round pick Mark Scheifele is making a big statement in camp with 4 goals and 4 assists in 5 games. If he makes the team, Scheifele will still need to sign a contract.
“It’s not in my hands anymore. I worked my hardest and I’m happy with my effort,” he said. “I don’t really understand the whole contract thing. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I trust my agent will do what’s best for me so hopefully something can get done.
“I want to be here so bad. I hope I can stick around.”
- Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press: The Jets cut 4 players yesterday. David Koci was released from his tryout, Carl Klingberg was sent to the AHL, and Spencer Machacek and Brett Festerling were put on waivers.
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Patrick Sharp still plans getting into the Blackhawks season opener on Oct. 7th. “I’m supposed to take it easy with the shooting and skating, but I feel fine out there,” said Sharp, who practiced for the first time Friday. “There are no limitations.” He won’t play in the teams final exhibition game on Sunday.
- Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Aaron Volpatti and Victor Oreskovich have made the Canucks for the time being. An injury to Steve Pinizzotto may have handed the spot to Oreskovich. Volpatti beat out Mike Duco and Todd Fedoruk. Cody Hodgson will start the season centering Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm on the 2nd line. Manny Malhotra will center Jannik Hansen and Chris Higgins on the 3rd line. Defensive pairing will likely be Bieksa and Hamhuis, Salo and Edler, Ballard and Tanev.
- Dan Rosen via twitter: The NY Rangers will make some cuts today. Rosen is curious to see if both Tim Erixon and Michael Del Zotto make it. Rosen would be surpised if Weise, Bourque, Hagelin, Newbury and Mitchell weren’t cut.
Detroit News: Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch was interviewed. Ilitch was asked if the Wings will move out of the Western Conference:
The commissioner (Gary Bettman) promised me I was next. We even had a meeting over lunch this past season, and he had all his people here, and he goes, ‘Yeah, I promised Mike he’d be the next one to go in the Eastern Conference.’ So I expect to be in next year. Jimmy D (Devellano) is on the phone every other week reminding them.
Smith gets pre-season plus 5 games … Radulov leaves KHL team … Bruins after Whitney … Sharp skates … Staios signs with Isles
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Suspensions on September 30th, 2011
- NHL: Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith has been suspended for the rest of the pre-season and 5 regular season games. He will forfeit $23,648.65. Shanahan’s video at bottom of the post.
- Dmitry Chesnokov of Yahoo! Sports: Chesnokov reported this morning that Alexander Radulov was unhappy with the coaches and management of Salavat Yulaev. He posted on twitter to Evgeni Malkin that translates to:
“Mal [addressing Malkin], the coach is [getting on my nerves — the real word used is not for this blog], I am asking for a trade.”
Radulov later deleted the tweet, but screen shots were captured and can be seen at the above link. Radulov isn’t on Salavat’s roster today. One person told Chesnokov that the chances of Radulov heading back to the NHL this season increased from 5% to 10%.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: From RIAN news agency, Radulov ”packed up his stuff and left Salavat after this morning’s practice.” Slava Malamud via twitter: It’s not a secret that Radulov wants to play with SKA St. Petersburg. If he ends up there, the odds of him returning to the NHL deminish. Vtiyaz may be trying to acquire Radulov, but it is unlikely. Chesnokov says that some of the Radulov speculations are ridiculous, and that he’ll most likely end up with SKA. KHL/Medvedev won’t let him go. Malamud says that Radulov isn’t heading to the Predators this year, and nobody knows about next year, not even Radulov.
- Kevin Paul Dupont via twitter: “Lingering chatter” that the Bruins could be going after Ray Whitney and his $3 million price tag.
- Chris Kuc via twitter: Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp is skating with teammates today, first time since his emergency appendectomy.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Steve Staios signed a 1 year contract with the Islanders with a base salary of $800,000, bonuses up to $1.2 million, and up to $1.6 million if they win the cup.
- Rich Hammond via twitter: Drew Doughty said he wouldn’t have a problem playing in Saturday’s pre-season game if asked.
- Will DePaoli via twitter: Penguins forward Steve Sullivan should in the lineup for the Pens.
Kane, Hamhuis, and Malhotra will get into first pre-season game … Police may have name of banana thrower … Cap could effect Couturier … Laich’s versatility
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 28th, 2011
- Tim Sassone of the Dailly Herald: Patrick Kane will get into his first pre-season game tonight. He’ll be centering Marian Hossa and Andrew Brunette. Patrick Sharp skated on his own for the 3rd straight day yesterday. “He’s progressing well,” Joel Quenneville said. “We’re very happy with where he’s at. Each and every day he’s able to do a little bit more. We’re very encouraged.” The Blackhawks camp roster is now at 31.
- Debora Van Brenk of the Toronto Sun: London Police think they have a name of a person who they think may have tossed the banana at Wayne Simmonds last week. They haven’t arrested anyone, which was being reported by some. Police should release more details today. A banana was tossed towards the ice earlier in the game but it didn’t make it to the ice.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Wayne Simmonds won’t be disciplined for his alleged homophobic slur towards Sean Avery as the NHL couldn’t substantiate what was said on the ice.
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau is still tinkering with lines, especially when it comes to Brooks Laich, whether he’ll be on the wing or at center. “As it stands right now we’re still up in the air, whether would it be center or wing with him,” Boudreau said. “We just want to get him in a couple more games at both positions for him to feel comfortable at either one, to start taking more faceoffs in case it was center that he’s playing.”
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Recently signed Chris Campoli found himself partnered with Josh Gorges. Hal Gill and P.K. Subban round out the other top 4 while Andrei Markov is out. Markov is still rehabbing and it’s unlikely he’ll be able to go for the opener.
- Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province: Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis will get into his 1st game since Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final tonight. Canucks forward Manny Malhotra will get into the game as well, his first since his offseason eye procedure. Defenseman Aaron Rome will miss 4 to 6 weeks with a broken finger. Nolan Baumgartner will be out 4 weeks with a broken foot. Steve Pinizzotto is out indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder.
- Sam Carchidi via twitter: Carchidi thinks that salary cap constraints may hurt Sean Couturier’s chances of making the Flyers.
- George Richards of the Miami Herald: Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen had a minor knee procedure and will miss at least the first couple game of the season. Jose Theodore is the teams starter, and they may keep Tyler Plante over Jacob Markstrom. They want Markstrom to get a lot of playing time in the NHL.
- John Down of the Calgary Herald: Steve Staios is on a tryout with the Islanders and hopes to get a contract. He’s 64 games shy of 1,000.
Crosby’s doctors differ … Doughty has Kings best offer … Schenn, Baily salary breakdown … Injury notes on Kane, Sharp, Markov, Fisher and Niemi
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 17th, 2011
- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Sidney Crosby has been cleared to practice but his medical team can’t agree on when he should be ready for contact. A Florida-based chiropractor who has been examining Crosby told a Pittsburgh radio station that he’s ready for contact. Crosby’s doctors at a concussion clinic may not think so and stand behind their comments at the news conference earlier this month, ”We’re going to make sure we introduce contact in a very careful way,” Collins said at the time. “And we’re not even close to that right now.”
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Kings GM Dean Lombardi told LeBrun that he feels they made their best possible offer to Drew Doughty, 7 years at a $6.8 million average.
- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Luke Schenn salary breakdown: $3.6 million with a $1 signing bonus this year, and $3.35 million in the remaining 4 years. Also has a modified no trade clause.
- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: The Islanders re-signed Josh Bailey to a 2 year deal. He’ll get $800,000 this year and $1.3 million next year.
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane is still wearing a splint on his left wrist and is taking a cautious approach with it.
“I’m going be cautionary about putting myself in contact right away,” Kane said Friday. “I’ll be doing practice with whatever team is out there, working real hard to get my range of motion back.”
“They said if it was the middle of the season right now, and if I wanted to play, I could play,” Kane said. “It’s just making sure we don’t make it any worse and I’m fully 100 percent ready to go.”
Marian Hossa is still in Slovakia as he attended a Pavol Demitra’s memorial on Thursday, and will join the team soon. The Blackhawks aren’t too worried that Patrick Sharp could miss the entire preseason.
“Sharp was in excellent shape,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “Through that process of taking the necessary time to heal himself up to get ready, he’s a finely tuned athlete. He can play through a lot of different injuries. We saw that last year how quickly he got back, particularly at a critical time of the year.”
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov won’t be taking the ice with teammates today:
“I wish I could skate with the team tomorrow or today, but I want to be 100-per-cent sure I’m healthy,” Markov said Friday as he discussed his rehabilitation from major knee surgery. “I don’t want to come back for a few games. I’d like to stay here for the long term, and that’s what we’re looking for.”Markov, who signed a 3 year, $17.5 million deal in the off-season, has had 2 surgeries to repair is his ACL in his right knee.
“He said the healing is good,” Markov said of his meeting with Andrews. “Everything in the knee, like the bones and muscles, is good. I had a little swelling at that time, but he said it’s normal for a second surgery.”
If Markov is out for an extended period of time, GM Pierre Gauthier may have to go looking for a defenseman.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson plans on cutting his training camp roster from 70 to 40 by Wednesday and down to 26 or 27 by next weekend.
“I’m cutting through all the B.S. here and getting right down to the NHL players,” Wilson said. “I’m not worried about where we’re going to be in two or three years. My primary responsibility is making the playoffs this year and getting off to a good start.”
Wilson would have 2 exhibition game with 40 players and 3 games with close to regular season lineup.
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators Mike Fisher’s recovery from shoulder surgery is going slower than he had hoped.“I’m just going to kind of work my way in here, just trying to get stronger. Still not ready for contact or anything. But I am skating and starting to shoot a bit, and it’s coming. I’m just really not sure as far as timetable. I just have to be patient.”
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien weighed in well under the 269 pounds he weighed in last year in Atlanta. Josh Rimer via twitter: Rimer is hearing that the Jets are considering moving Dustin Byfuglien back to forward this year.
- David Pollak via twitter: Antti Niemi said he should be back playing in a few days.
Sharp out 3-4 weeks … Bogosian without contract but with teammates … Byfuglien getting charged … Wings could make splash next summer
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 13th, 2011
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp underwent an emergency appendectomy last night and will be recovering for 3 to 4 weeks. If recovery takes the full 4 weeks, he could miss the season opener.
- Ted Wyman of the Winnipeg Sun: Zach Bogosian may still be unsigned, but he is in Winnipeg skating with teammates.
“I wouldn’t come here if I didn’t want to be here,” he told Global. “I’m not obligated to be here until actual training camp. The fact is I want to come in here before camp and get into a routine, get to know some of the new people that I (didn’t) meet last year. It’s good to get into a little bit of a routine.”
Most of the trade rumors involving Bogosian have been preposterous, especially the Bogosian for Scott Gomez. The Jets are just over the salary cap floor, so there is no good reason for them not to get him signed long-term. Bogosian and his agent may be waiting for Luke Schenn and Drew Doughty to sign first.
- Winnipeg Sun: Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien will be getting charged with drunk boating. On August 31st he was “booked for “probable cause” on intoxicated boating, and for allegedly refusing a blood or urine test.”
- Katie Strang of ESPN: The Islanders and free agent Sergei Samsonov had talked earlier in the summer, but according to his agent, “It seems to be dead.” The Islanders were considering Samsonov on a tryout, but his agent said they are in discussions with another team.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Bryan McCabe has had discussions with several teams and is still considering his options. Mike Modano may be leaning towards retirement. Teemu Selanne and Ducks GM Bob Murray talk almost every day as Selanne is testing his knee this week to see if he thinks it can hold up for another season. The Red Wings are just about $5.8 million below the cap this year, and $21 million next year. They have Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart to re-sign at some point this year, but there are currently some big names that could be UFA’s next year: Zach Parise, Shane Doan, Ryan Suter, Ales Hemsky and Alexander Semin. The Rangers named Ryan Callahan their new captain.
- Mike Morreale of NHL.com: Hurricanes 2011 draft pick Victor Rask is debating if he’ll remain in North America for the season or head back to Sweden. His CHL rights are held by the Calgary Hitman of the WHL, or he could play in the AHL with Charlotte. “I haven’t decided yet,” Rask told NHL.com. “I like to play in North America, but have to wait and see what happens. Maybe I will, because it’s good hockey here.” Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford would like to see him stay in North America.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Devan Dubnyk may be splitting time, 50-50 with veteran Nikolai Khabibulin this year. Khabibulin will be 39 in January and carries a $3.75 million price tag this year and next. “Would I like to have a 50-50 split? Ideally, yes,” he said. “But I have to earn every start. I want to keep that mindset.” Dubnyk was 12-13-8 with a 2.71 GAA and .916 SV% last year.
Murray optimistic with Selanne … Kane healing well … Cumiskey remains unsigned … Turris wants $4 million plus
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 7th, 2011
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Ducks GM Bob Murray mentioned yesterday that Teemu Selanne “wants to come back and play from a mental perspective,” but it’s up to his surgically repaired knee.
“He is working out on and off the ice and trying to strengthen his knee. It’s not quite where he wants it yet,” Murray said Tuesday via email. “He wants to make a decision prior to training camp.”
Medical tests for the Ducks start on the 16th, and they hit the ice on the 17th.
“I’m optimistic, but certainly understand him not wanting commit unless the knee is straightened out,” Murray said. “I’m going to talk to him again later this week and see how he is progressing.”
- Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane had offseason left wrist surgery and has said he’s “a little ahead of schedule.” He hopes to be able to get in up to 4 exhibition games.
“I get the splint off the 15th so after that I should be able to do pretty much everything,” Kane said. “I’ve been skating and working out. For a while there, I couldn’t go full equipment with the cast. Once I got the cast off that’s when I started trying to get back into the flow quickly.”
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche defenseman Kyle Cumiskey still remains unsigned. Cumiskey only made it in 18 games last year, but is 100% healthy according to his agent. His agent, Ross Gurney, wouldn’t go on record regarding why there hasn’t been a contract yet. Dater thinks a deal will get done before the start of camp next Saturday.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Former Oilers and Blackhawk Fernando Pisani is still looking for a contract. He’s not keen on doing a tryout with a team, competing with guys on a one-way deal. Steve Staios and Bryan McCabe are also looking for work. Jason Strudwick also doesn’t have a contract, and reportedly has had some coaching offers, but he still wants to play.
- Scott Burnside of ESPN: Underachieving Coyotes prospect Kyle Turris also remains unsigned. He has only scored 19 goals in 131 NHL games. League sources are saying that Turris is looking for a 3 year deal worth more than $4 million a season or a 2 year deal at more than $3 million. Turris’ agent told ESPN he won’t discuss numbers.
- Nick Montemagno of Blueshirt Banter: Last year Henrik Lundqvist played 68 games, but if Marty Biron can remain healthy, Montemagno would like to see him play closer to 60 games.
This will keep Lundqvist fresh, mentally and physically, throughout the course of the year, especially in the playoffs. I think we all noticed how fatigued Hank was by the fourth or fifth game of that first-round series against Washington back in April, and I’m sure that had a lot to do with the fact that he was forced to play out the entire final third of the season with Biron out. That will change in 2011-12.
- Harrison Mooney of the Vancouver Sun: Manny Legace, who played in Germany last year, will attend the Canucks training camp on a tryout.
Recent Comments