Posts Tagged Ray Whitney
Blues could look at Ruutu … Stewart may be available … Carter may interest Leafs … Green skating … Stempniak on crutches
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 2nd, 2012
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: The Blues may look at Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu. Strickland thinks the Blues can find their scoring touch internally, but that doesn’t mean they should not try to improve their roster. It might take someone like Chris Stewart to get him though. Stewart has struggled this year and will be due at least $3.25 million, a RFA after the season. Moving Stewart could come back to bit them if they did move him. For the right price they might move him, but it might not make sense doing it for a rental. T.J. Oshie and David Perron will also need new deals in the summer. The Blues biggest need may be a top 4 defenseman that can play the left side. An experienced, rugged Dman would be ideal. The Blue Jackets aren’t moving Rick Nash, but they wouldn’t mind moving Jeff Carter, and Strickland doesn’t think it will be as hard to do as most think. Ray Whitney may not be a fit with the Blues.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: If the rumors out of St. Louis are true that Chris Stewart could be available, Dater thinks the Avalanche should look at bringing him back. Stewart hasn’t happy when he was dealt to the Blues, and is still friends with some of the Avs. Stewart replacing Hejduk as a top 6 winger would make sense. Dater would offer up David Jones, who also has lost his scoring touch this year. Stewart is a RFA at seasons end, Jones is a UFA.
- Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star: Mitchell thinks that Jeff Carter would look good between Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. The Blue Jackets gave up a 1st round pick which turned out to be Sean Couturier and Jakob Voracek, so they would still need to get a good return back. Why it could happen: Carter has struggled this year but he is a 30-40 goal scorer. They may be able to get him at a discounted rate due to 10 years left on his contract. Why it won’t happen: He has a no trade clause, he has 10 years left at $5.27 million cap hit, and Burke doesn’t like long contracts.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Bruins Nathan Horton will have missed his 3rd consecutive game with a ‘mild concussion. “He’s still where he was a few days ago. He’s feeling better, but not the stages of where he’s working out,” said Julien. “The day he does [feel better], I’m going to be the first to let you know that he’s on the bike now and that he’s moving forward.”
- Brian McNally via twitter: Capitals defenseman Mike Green said he’s on schedule from his sports hernia surgery. He was expected to be out 4 to 6 weeks. Stephen Whyno via twitter: Mike Green skated the last 3 days.
- Roger Millions via twitter: Flames winger Lee Stempniak left the arena on crutches and a soft boot on his left foot, could be long-term.
- Jeremy Rutherford via twitter: Alex Steen and Andy McDonald skated with the extras today, so it looks like they may not be ready for tomorrow.
- Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson is getting closer to making a decision if he’ll play another season. He said 50% yes, the other 50% was up to his wife. They’ll talked about it over the next couple days.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Regardless of what the NHL turns up in their investigation to the Kings-CBJ clock issue, the game stands with a Kings win. Lisa Dillman via twitter: Kings GM Dean Lombardi in an email: “Those clocks are sophisticated instruments that calculate time by measuring electrical charges called coulombs. Given the rapidity and volume of electrons that move through the measuring device the calibrator must adjust at certain points which was the delay you see – the delay is just recalibrating for the clock moving too quickly during the 10 – 10ths of a second before the delay – this insures that the actual playing time during a period is exactly 20 minutes – that is not an opinion – that is science.”
Suter clears the air … Crosby has fractures to C1 and C2 vertebrae … Possible Flyers targets … A couple Bettman notes … NHL Sources Say video
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Trades on January 29th, 2012
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Ryan Suter wanted to clear the air a bit on comments he made Friday (see yesterday’s post). Suter contacted ESPN and his GM David Poile.
“I was watching TV this morning and one guy said I was definitely going to test the open market,” Suter told ESPN.com. “I never said that. So I just want people to know that I’m focused on helping our team win and I think that’s the most important thing right now.”
“It made it seem like I was giving up on my teammates and I don’t like the sound of that, because it’s not true at all,” Suter said.
“I hope I don’t get traded; I hope I can stay in Nashville,” Suter said. “Because we have a chance to win, we have a pretty good team.”
- Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: The Penguins medical staff may have mis-diagnosed part of Sidney Crosby’s injury. Crosby appears to have fractured vertebrae that was missed by team doctors for weeks. Possible fractures to the C1 and C2 vertebrae may have been discovered, to go along with his concussion according to his agent Pat Brisson. Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: It is not a career-threatening injury, and there is a chance that he could be back this season if his concussion symptoms are resolved.
“The diagnosis of Dr. Robert S. Bray, a neurological spine specialist based in Los Angeles, is that Sidney Crosby had suffered a neck injury in addition to a concussion. Dr. Bray reports that the neck injury is fully healed. Those findings will be evaluated by independent specialists over the next few days. The most important goal all along has been Sidney’s return to full health, and we are encouraged that progress continues to be made.”
- Sam Carchdi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: There rumblings that Shea Weber or Ryan Suter could become available. Suter would be more likely to be traded before Weber. If the Flyers were to make a deal, they’d want assurance that he would sign a long term deal with them. Other potential blueline targets for the Flyers could be Tim Gleason and Bryan Allen (Car), Luke Schenn (Tor), Hal Gill (Mon), and Mark Eaton (NYI).
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Shinzawa goes through some players the Bruins could be interested in. Hurricanes Tim Gleason could be a good fit. The Bruins could use some bottom 6 depth. Coyotes Ray Whitney and Hurricanes Tuomo Ruutu are possibilities.
- Jesse Spector via twitter: Gary Bettman says the NHL isn’t subsidizing the New Jersey Devils. Spector adds: “That doesn’t mean the league isn’t providing cash advances or whatnot.”
- Jesse Spector via twitter: Bettman says the League is ready and waiting for the NHLPA to start CBA talks, he’s unsure on when they will begin.
- David Shoalts via twitter: Bettman added there have been no talks regarding the City of Glendale getting another $25 million extension for next season.
- Chris Botta via twitter: As far as Botta has heard, there is nothing major or even moderate going on with Islanders trade talks.
- HockeyCentral: NHL Sources Say: “news that next year’s all-star festivities will take place in Columbus, and talk the latest financials for St. Louis and New Jersey.”
Hall out 2-4 weeks … Rask likely staying, Bruins could explore Krejci’s value … Ducks shopping Ryan … Gauthier scouting LA-SJ … injury updates
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on November 29th, 2011
- Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Taylor Hall will be out 2 to 4 weeks with a left shoulder injury.
“I thought I was going to be out for a shorter period of time,” he said, “but two to four weeks isn’t bad. It’s not like I’m missing a huge chunk of games, where it would take me three to four games to really get back into the swing of things.
“I want to get back as quick as I can, obviously. I just have to try and rehab it as quick as possible .. make it as strong as possible.”
- Elliotte Friedman of CBC.ca: Other coaching situations to watch are in Calgary, Anaheim and Colorado. Eric Francis reported over the weekend that there won’t any changes in Calgary. The Ducks budget is stretched, which may may be evident in them passing up on Blake Comeau and his pro-rated $2.5 million salary. Flames GM Jay Feaster on Jarome Iginla: “He is part of the solution…We are not trading him.” The Wild and Predators made claims on Comeau, who the Flames ended up getting. The Islanders didn’t want to take on any salary in a Comeau trade, so they put him on waivers.
- James Murphy of ESPN: Murphy doesn’t think the Bruins are considering trading Tuukka Rask now or in the near future. He is their future starting goalie. David Krejci will be a UFA at seasons end, but he may not able to expect “big money.” Murphy thinks that if Krejci continues to be average, they could explore what his trade value is, though he doesn’t think they’ll give up on him yet. Murphy doesn’t know if the Bruins have held contract talks with Chris Kelly.
- Darren Millard via twitter: Nick Kypreos was told by an NHL executive that the Ducks are shopping Bobby Ryan.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Ducks Bobby Ryan found himself practicing with the 3rd line yesterday along with Ben Maxwell and Niklas Hagman. Matt Beleskey was on the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Ducks backup Dan Ellis had an ultrasound yesterday on his groin injury.
- Luke DeCock: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford acknowledged that their budget woes cost them the ability to get/keep veteran leadership. He mentioned Eric Cole and Ray Whitney.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier was patrolling the press box during the Kings-Sharks game last night.
- Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: Kings forward Dustin Penner missed his 8th straight game last night, but he could return on Thursday. Alec Martinez is at least a week away from returning. Scott Parse will have season ending hip surgery. He had hip surgery last year as well.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Even with the possible return of Penner on Thursday, Terry Murray’s comments sounded like Dustin Brown could see more time at left wing.
- Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets defensemen Tobias Enstrom and Randy Jones are back skating. Enstrom is expected to be out until after Christmas. Jones could be 8 or 9 days away. Brett Festerling and Derek Meech are out indefinitely. Ron Hainsey hasn’t been able to go since last Wednesday.
- Ben Kuzma via twitter: With Cory Schneider starting for the Canucks tonight, it makes a strong statement that he could be the number 1 goalie in Vancouver.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Curtis Sanford will start in net for the Blue Jackets tonight against the Canucks.
- Ian Mendes via twitter: Craig Anderson will start in net for the Senators tonight against the Jets.
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.
A quiet Leafs summer … Hulsizer candidate to by Blues … Possible retirees this year and next
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 22nd, 2011
- George Popalis of the Toronto Sun: The Maple Leafs have been quiet this summer with regards to the free agent market, not doing anything since Tim Connolly, and it’s probably a good thing. Over paying for someone and talking away a roster spot for a someone in their young core may not be the best for the team. Nazem Kadri, Joe Colborne, Luca Caputi, Matt Frattin, Jerry D’Amigo, Jake Gardiner and Jesse Blacker are all in their early 20′s and deserve a good look at camp.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Matthew Hulsizer is one of the candidates attempting to buy the St. Louis Blues. It’s expected that Hulsizer will submit a bid to buy the Blues. The deadline to submit a bid is today. Current minority owner Tom Stillman is also expected to make a bid.
- Lyle Richardson of Spector’s Hockey: Spector lists some players who could retire this year or next: Teemu Selanne, Mike Modano, Cory Stillman, Marty Turco, John Madden, Sergei Samsonov, Mike Grier. Possible candidates for retiring next summer: Martin Brodeur, Nicklas Lidstrom, Sheldon Souray, Jason Blake, Saku Koivu, Sean Avery, Jaroslav Spacek, Filip Kuba, Willie Mitchell, Jaromir Jagr, Ray Whitney and Steve Sullivan.
2 groups interested in Coyotes … 10 players who could be in rumor mill … Aebischer gets tryout … Maloney wants to talk contract with Doan
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on August 20th, 2011
Lisa Halverstadt of the Arizona Republic: The Coyotes have 2 qualified buyers who are interested in purchasing the team. Former Sharks president and chief executive Greg Jamison is one of them.
“As indicated in June, the City of Glendale has identified two qualified buyers for the Coyotes team and is looking forward to finalizing documents with qualified buyers,” spokeswoman Julie Frisoni said in a Friday statement. “No bonds will be sold by the city as part of these proposed concepts.”
Lyle Richardson in the Hockey News: Spector looks at 10 Western Conference players who could be in the rumor mill this year: Shea Weber, Jarome Iginla, Ales Hemsky, RJ Umberger, Paul Stastny, Dustin Penner, Ray Whitney, Jiri Hudler, TJ Oshie and Cory Schneider.
Anaheim Ducks via twitter: Jonas Hiller has been skating in Switzerland for the past month, is symptom free, and should be ready for training camp.
Todd Cordell via twitter: The Jets have given former Avs and Canadiens goalie David Aebischer a pro tryout.
Andy Strickland via twitter: There was speculation that Chris Drury met with Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke a couple weeks ago, but it is a 100% not true.
Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Coyotes GM Don Maloney wants to sit down with Shane Doan and discuss a new contract before training camp begins. Doan is in the last year of his deal.
“I would like to start dialogue to see where he is at, and what he is thinking,” Maloney said. “He is certainly a guy we would like to re-sign, and I would rather do it now and not next June 30.”
“Shane is in his mid-30s, but he still has that cowboy body,” Maloney said. “I think he could play another three or four years no problem and still play at a good, to very good, level.”
Twitter rumors and Free Agent signings quick hits
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors on July 1st, 2010
6:01 PM: Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: “Just hung up phone with Dean Lombardi. Asked him if he was closing in on Kovalchuk, “No.” Asked if he’s still in the mix, “Not sure.””
5:59 PM: Adrian Dater via Twitter: Kovalchuk to the Kings is getting closer.
5:57 PM: Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: Saku Koivu to the Ducks for 2 years, $5 million.
3:45 PM: Bruce Garrioch via Twitter: The Flames are working on a 2 year deal with Olli Jokinen ….. (I wonder if Sutter is trying to get fired to collect his full pay)
3:44 PM: Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: The Canucks are favorites to land Dan Hamhuis, LA, Tor, and SJ still in it.
3:38 PM: James Mirtle via Twitter: Leafs not pursuing Raffi Torres as of yet. Armstrong may fill that role.
3:15 PM: NHLSourcesSay via Twitter: Islanders and Sabres have sent offers to Pavel Kubina.
3:01 PM: Darren Dreger via Twitter: Tony Lydman signs with Anaheim for 3 years, $9 million.
3:00 PM: Andy Strickland via Twitter: Alex Steen’s deal is for 4 years, $13.45 million. $2.75 million next year, $3.56 million the next 3 years.
2:50 PM: Frank Seravalli via Twitter: “Holy god. I thought Shelley was bad. Boogard to Rangers; 4 years at $1.65M per season… He hasn’t scored a goal in 4 years.”
2:33 PM: Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: Leafs in on Dan Hamhuis
2:30 PM: Tweet of the Day so far – Adrian Dater: “Darcy Tucker is still available folks.”
2:24 PM: NHLSourcesSay: 3 teams interested in Ray Whitney: Panthers, Sabres, and Flames
2:15 PM: Bob McKenzie via Twitter: Martin could end up in LA or Pitt. Hamhuis still possible in Pitt.
1:05 PM: Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: Dan Ellis is close to signing with someone, but it’s not Montreal.
12:53 PM: Bob McKenzie via Twitter: Paul Martin is eager to sign with Pittsburgh, and vise versa.
12:50 PM: Jeremy Rutherford via Twitter: Alex Steen re-signs with the Blues, 4 years.
12:34 PM: Bob McKenzie via Twitter: Savard to Calgary for Regher is being talked about. Savard hasn’t been asked to waive his no trade clause yet.
Alex Tanguay signs a one year deal with the Calgary Flames according to RDS.
Braydon Coburn re-signs with the Flyers for 2 years, cap hit of $3.2 million.
Eric Christensen signs a 2 year deal with the NY Rangers, $925,000 a season.
Ray Whitney Signs With Phoenix Coyotes
Posted by Derek in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors, NHL Trades on July 1st, 2010
The Phoenix Coyotes have made another move signing free agent winger Ray Whitney to 2 year, $6Million dollar contract. The is a good signing for the `Yotes, bringing in a veteran presence as they try to continue their climb in the Western Conference landscape.
Rangers targeting Johan Hedberg … Sens options may be limited … Lightning after Mason, Martin?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on July 1st, 2010
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Sens have to be careful spending their money this off-season. They have almost $49 million committed to 13 players, with RFAs Chris Campoli, Peter Regin, Nick Foligno, and Jesse Winchester. Players they could target: Anton Volchenkov, Sergei Gonchar, Ray Whitney, Zbynek Michalek, Kurtis Foster, and Dan Hamhuis.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The New York Rangers in the market for a backup goalie and their primary target is Johan Hedberg.
- Craig Custance via Twitter: Johan Hedberg and the Thrashers are still talking. Other options for Hedberg are Rangers, Canadiens and Devils.
- Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersberg Times: Steve Yzerman may not do anything on today. He’s looking for another goalie, possibly targeting Chris Mason. Yzerman still wants to re-sign Kurtis Foster, and might have an eye on Paul Martin.
Qualifying offers and other Free Agency Rumors
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 29th, 2010
Yesterday at 5:00 pm was the deadline for teams to make qualifying offers from their RFAs. If they didn’t receive a qualifying offer, they’ll become a UFA.
- Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean: The Nashville Predators did not qualify Denis Grebeshkov and Dustin Boyd, both acquired at the trade deadline for a 2nd round pick (Grebeshkov) and a 4th round pick (Boyd).
- Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution: The Atlanta Thrashers made qualifying offers to: Niclas Bergfors, Bryan Little, Ondrej Pavelec, Clarke MacArthur, Ben Eager, Peter Mannino and Anthony Stewart. They didn’t not send qualifying offers to: Chad Denny, Rylan Kaip, Scott Lehman and Matt Siddall. The Thrashers and Pavel Kubina are a little ways apart, he would like return but only at a fair price. They’ve made Maxim Afinogenov an offer, but he’s looking to test the market. Colby Armstrong will head to free agency. Eric Boulton has received a contract offer. There’s a bit of gap between the club and Johan Hedberg. They’ll probably allow Evgeny Artyukhin to go to free agency. The Thrashers are looking for a 15-goal scorer, which might come through a trade (A 15-goal scorer, I bet Thrashers fans are really excited now).
- Sportsnet via Twitter: Maxim Afingenov has turned down the lastest contract offer from the Thrashers, and may be leaning towards going to the KHL.
- Javier Serna of the Raleigh News & Observer: Carolina GM Jim Rutherford said yesterday that Ray Whitney is expected to test the free agent market. They also made qualifying offers to: Justin Peters, Casey Borer, Bryan Rodney, Nicolas Blanchard, Nick Dodge and Justin Pogge.
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Canadiens: The Montreal Canadiens agreed to terms with RFA Benoit Pouliot, a 1 year, $1.35 million deal. The Canadiesns also re-signed Tom Pyatt. They now have a cap number around $50.6 million, with 17 players under contract. They still need to sign Carey Price, 2 players for the 3rd/4th lines, a backup goalie and maybe an extra Dman. The team will look at signing some undrafted players from the QMJHL.
- Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: The Vancouver Canucks sent qualifying offers to Shane O’Brien, Mason Raymond, Jannik Hansen and Tanner Glass. The could be active in the free agent market, possibly Zbynek Michalek. Kevin Bieksa could be moved if they acquire another defenseman, possibly bringing in some experienced depth for the 3rd-4th lines. The Canucks have about $10 million for 6 players, not including Mason Raymond who will file for arbitration. O’Brien may also be heading to arbitration and has said he’d like a 2 year deal.
- Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: The Phoenix Coyotes and Derek Morris are still talking, but are far apart.
- Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: The Flyers have permission to speak to both Evgeni Nabokov and Marty Turco (who did receive an offer, but wants to test free agency).
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: ESPN reported that Marty Turco turned down a 3 year deal worth over $6 million.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Reports that Turco sent a text to XM Radio’s crew for NHL Live, saying he rejected a $2 million deal from the Flyers. Multiple sources told the Daily News that the Flyers never made an offer. Reports are that Nabokov is looking for no less than $4.5 million.
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