Posts Tagged Ryan Kesler

Nash not getting traded … Carter didn’t ask for a trade … Canes shopping Kaberle … Omark and Gagner Leafs rumors … Jagr, Lombardi and Nabokov injured

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on November 18th, 2011

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson has never brought up Rick Nash’s name in trade talks. Other teams have obviously asked about Nash, but were quickly turned down.

    “Rick has never asked for a trade, contrary to what has been reported,” his agent Joe Resnick told ESPN.com on Thursday. “Rick is focused on trying to turn things around in Columbus and help the team get some wins.”

    Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has admitted he’s looking for a goalie:

    “We’re seeing what’s available and seeing what the price tag is,” GM Brian Burke told ESPN.com on Thursday afternoon. “Obviously nothing has tickled our fancy yet.”

    James Reimer has been listed as day-to-day for weeks and still hasn’t started skating. Burke added: “so at some point we have to get a goaltender in here to bridge the gap until he’s healthy.”

    Ryan Suter’s agent, Neil Sheehy, on contract talks with the Predators: “It’s ongoing; there won’t be a deal while I’m here in town.”  “We’re continuing to talk, and that’s about all I can say at this point.”

  • RDS through google translate: RDS reported that Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter has already asked for a trade. Carter has missed time with a foot injury and has only played in 7 games. Renaud Lavoie of RDSthrough google translate: Teams looking to improve will likely have asked about Carter. The Blue Jackets don’t want to get rid of him. Lavoie contacted Carter’s agent, Rick Curran, who said that Carter didn’t ask for a trade despite the rumors.
  • Darren Dreger of TSN: This weekend could determine the fate of Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice. Sources are saying that GM Jim Rutherford is looking to trade for a forward and is dangling defenseman Tomas Kaberle and Bryan Allen, even though Joni Pitkanen is out with an injury.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers center Sam Gagner keeps being mentioned in trade rumors, one involving Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson or possibly landing with the Blackhawks, reuniting him with his London Knights linemate, Patrick Kane.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson doesn’t think the Oilers need to trade for a defenseman even with Cam Barker being out till March and with Ryan Whitney having injury issues the last year. Whitney is expected to be back in the lineup next week. When Whitney returns they’ll have 7 defenseman, so they may not have a need for a Cody Franson. The Leafs are hurting for a forward due to recent injuries. Linus Omark is trade chip for Oilers GM Steve Tambellini. Matheson wonders if Omark and a 2nd round pick could get Franson? Burke may rather have Gagner than Omark, but he’s had ankle and back issues so far this season. Other defenseman that aren’t playing much that the Oilers could look at are: Jim Vandermeer (SJ), Matt Walker (PHI), Shaone Morrisson (BUF), Jason Strudwick or their prospect Colten Teubert.
  • Jonas Seigel via twitter: Maple Leafs forward Matthew Lombardi was injured in last night’s game and left the arena with his arm in a sling.
  • Katie Strang via twitter: Islanders goalie Nabokov suffered a groin injury in last night’s game and will be re-evaluated today.
  • Adam Jahns via twitter: Brent Seabrook is out tonight and probably won’t play until they head to California. Michael Frolik is questionable against Calgary.
  • Ben Kuzma via twitter: Ryan Kesler has a stiff shoulder. Keith Ballard has back spasms. Mason Raymond has been cleared for contact.

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Seguin has congenital hip condition … Turris interests Sens … Doughty expected to return tonight … Hulsizer signs purchase agreement … Scouting Wings-Sharks

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 29th, 2011

  • Fluto Shinzawa and michael Vega of the Boston Globe: According to an ESPNBoston report, Tyler Seguin was born with a congenital hip condition. It could make him more injury prone in the future if he doesn’t keep up strength in the hip area to a prevent repetitive stress injury. GM Peter Chiarelli said in an email that he is not concerned about the condition. Seguin is leading the Bruins in scoring with 9 points in 9 games, and found himself practicing on a line with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. Coach Claude Julien put the David Krejci-Milan Lucic-Nathan Horton line back together. Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston: A source said that the condition could lead to an injury that could require surgery that may shorten his career. A hip expert who hasn’t examined Seguin, “The worst-case scenario is they start to develop recurring symptoms consistent of a groin pull, hip flexor strains, difficulty getting their hips in certain positions, reduced rotation, increase in pain and reduced levels of performance.”

    “I’m not going to comment whether it’s congenital or not,” Chiarelli said. “I don’t want to get into details what we think it is or isn’t and I don’t want any alarm bells going off. Like I said, you can go through our roster and there are probably 12 or 13 guys with something similar or the same thing.

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators are reportedly one of the six or seven teams interested in Coyotes RFA Kyle Turris. The Flames and Canucks have shown interest as well but have been informed that he isn’t going anywhere. Doug MacLean said that Turris could be a 2nd line center.
  • Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider: Kings defenseman Drew Doughty is expected to be in the lineup tonight against the Coyotes. Slava Voynov could be the odd man out and assigned to the AHL. Jonathan Quick will get the start tonight, Sunday’s starter is yet to be determined.
  • Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer has signed a purchase agreement to buy the St. Louis Blues. The dollar amount is expected to be below the reported the $185 million.
  • David Pollak via twitter: Scouts at the Sharks-Red Wings game: Senators, Flames, Capitals, Hurricanes, Predators, Lightning, Kings, Canucks and Maple Leafs.
  • Jason Bothchord of the Vancouver Province: Cody Hodgson is moving to the wing on the 2nd line. Chris Higgins drops from the 2nd to 3rd line. Ryan Kesler and David Booth haven’t clicked yet, and there may be some questions if they are too similar as they both have a shoot-first mentality.
  • Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: The Wings shifted Justin Abdelkader to center last night. “Wherever the team needs me, I’ll go chip in and help,” Abdelkader said, “whether it’s fourth line, third line, wing or center, whatever it is. Whatever I can do to help the team win, I’ll do. Red Wings defenseman Mike Commodore is healthy enough now to return to game action, but will have to win a spot in the lineup. It’s unknown when he’ll make his debut.
  • Arthur Staple of Newsday: Rick DiPietro seems ready to make his first start of the year for the Islanders tonight against the Sharks.

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Morning notes on Penner, Kesler, Hodgson, Maple Leafs, Hossa, Cammalleri, Bobrovsky, Gragnani, Beauchemin, Foster and NHL Sources Say video

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on October 18th, 2011

  • Lisa Dillman of the LA Times: Kings forward Dustin Penner left practice early yesterday and was to have his injured knee examined. Penner bruised his knee when he fought Zac Rinaldo, who had laid out Drew Doughty with a hard check.
  • Jim Jamieson of the Vancouver Province: With center Ryan Kesler scheduled to return to the Canucks lineup tonight, Cody Hodgson finds himself moved over to right wing on a line with Kesler and Chris Higgins.
  • Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: 17 teams were scouting the Maple Leafs – Avalanche game last night, including: “Bruins, Stars, Panthers, Blue Jackets, Oilers, Canucks, Islanders, Jets, Ducks, Lightning, Coyotes, Rangers, Predators, Capitals, Hurricanes, Canadiens and Senators.” One Maple Leaf executive on TV reports that the Leafs were interested in Stars Brendan Morrow, “Where do (they) get this stuff?”
  • Ben Meyer-Abbott of the Chicago Sun-Times: The Blackhawks are hopeful that Marian Hossa will be able to go tonight against the Coyotes. He missed Friday’s practice, Saturday’s game, and yesterday’s practice with an upper body injury.
  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens forward Mike Cammalleri could be back in the lineup on Thursday against the Penguins. Defenseman Jaroslav Spacek could be out 10-14 days with bruised ribs.
  • Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Sergei Bobrovsky could get his first start of the season tonight against the Senators. A final decision won’t be made until after the morning skate. Barring an injury, Bobrovsky is expected to play about 20 games this year.
  • Miguel Rodriguez of the Buffalo News: There isn’t a guarantee that Marc-Andre Gragnani will play in his hometown against the Canadiens according to Sabres Lindy Ruff. Jochen Hecht was cleared for contact last week after suffering a concussion in training camp, but the Sabres are taking a cautious approach with him.
  • Helene Elliott via twitter: (after taking a puck to the head last night) Ducks TV announcers said that Francois Beauchemin had a compression cut above his eye, and that his shield likely saved his eye.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Ducks defenseman Kurtis Foster has completed his AHL conditioning assignment. His goal is to show Randy Carlyle that he’s ready for Friday.
  • A couple days old but …. NHL Sources Say involving the Stars, Predators and Blue Jackets

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Injury notes on Carter, Whitney, Kesler, Malkin, Hossa, Krejci, DiPietro, Gonchar, Penner, Kennedy, Havlat, McDonald and Neuvirth

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 17th, 2011

  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter is questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Stars.

    “It’s a little hairline crack in his foot where he took a shot,” Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel said. “It’s an old injury. We’ll see where it’s at. It’s on the top (of the foot). We’re hoping it won’t be too long here. He’s questionable for Tuesday, but we might get him back for the weekend (vs. Detroit, vs. Ottawa). The ones on top you can sometimes play through.”

  • Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney will not be in the lineup tonight. It will be tomorrow or Thursday for sure.
  • NHL.com: Evgeni Malkin did not travel with the Penguins on their 2 game road trip as he has soreness in his surgically repaired right knee. He’ll be re-evaluated before Thursday’s game.
  • Brian Hedger via twitter: Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa is questionable for tomorrow night against Phoenix. He will make the trip with the team.
  • Joe McDonald of ESPN: Bruins forward David Krejci did not practice today due to his ‘core injury.’ Defensemen Adam McQuaid and Steven Kampfer practiced.
  • Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Senators goalie Craig Anderson is not at practice for personal reasons. He is expected back tomorrow. Sergei Gonchar is day-to-day with a bruised ankle. Bobby Butler may go on the IR with a groin injury.
  • David Pollak via twitter: Sharks forward Martin Havlat won’t talk to doctors until Wednesday for clearance, but McLellan expects him to be in the lineup on Friday.
  • Brian McNally of the Examiner: Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth only lasted 20 minutes at practice today. Neuvirth has been battling a right foot injury. “It’s big bruise and trying to ice it,” Neuvirth said. “It’s a lot of pain when I’m putting my skates on, and that’s the worst. I can’t really push on the ice or anything like that. I feel a lot of pain right now.” Lines at practice: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Brouwer, Semin-Johansson-Knuble, Chimera-Laich-Ward, Hendricks-Perreault-Halpern.
  • Slava Malamud via twitter: (answering some of my questions) Malamud would be surprised if Vladimir Tarasenko doesn’t leave the KHL to join the Blues next year, but you can’t rule out the SKA’s “fleet of cash trucks.” Alexander Radulov wants to play for SKA. If he doesn’t get traded/extended during the season, it will be an interested summer for him. He’s attracted to “Money, big city, glamour, the works” that SKA can offer.

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Flyers in no rush to call up Schenn … Doughty to IR … Hemsky resting for 2-3 weeks … Kesler skating hard … Some starting goalies tonight

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 17th, 2011

  • Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers are in no hurry to bring Brayden Schenn up from the AHL as he’s refining his game and there is a logjam on their roster. “When it’s the right time, he’ll be here,” general manager Paul Holmgren said on Sunday. “He’ll continue to play for the Phantoms for a little bit, anyway. I’m not sure, lineup-wise, where he’d fit in with the Flyers right now.” Blair Betts was placed on LTIR. Zac Rinaldo could be sent down when Jody Shelley finishes his 5 games suspension. They would have just enough cap space to recall Schenn at that point. If/when they do recall him, he could place him on the 3rd line with Sean Couturier and move Matt Read to the 4th line. It appears that Courturier will stick with the Flyers for the year.
  • Helene Elliott of the LA Times: The LA Kings have put Drew Doughty on the IR. He’s expected to be out 7 to 10 days with a shoulder injury. The Kings have recalled Slava Voynov from the AHL.
  • Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Ales Hemsky will be resting his sore right shoulder for 2 to 3 weeks. It does not involve the labrum that was repaired last March. Ben Eager is expected to play his first game this week. Ryan Whitney should be returning soon too.
  • Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Canucks forward Ryan Kesler skated hard yesterday for an hour without teammates. It’s not known exactly when he’ll return, but he is entering the 10 to 12 week window.

    “It’s smart for me to take my time now and let everything heal. I’m not a guy who plays on the perimeter, I want to get in there and battle. I’m getting closer but obviously I still feel it [hip] at times out there — just certain movements I don’t feel comfortable doing yet. I’m not going to come back until I feel comfortable or I’m 100 per cent.”

    Oct. 26th or Oct. 28th could be possible dates.

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Krejci injured … Players who may be traded … Turris may want trade … Habs injuries … Kronwall-Wings talking … No date for Crosby

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 12th, 2011

  • Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: Bruins center David Krejci left practice yesterday with an apparent leg injury. Krejci was in the middle of a drill when he pulled up and hunched over in pain. He’ll miss tonight’s game and according to the team: “Krejci will continue to be evaluated by the team’s medical staff in Boston and his status for Saturday’s game in Chicago will be determined later in the week.” Tyler Seguin is likely to take his place between Lucic and Horton.
  • Craig Custance of ESPN: Custance creates a list of 10 players who he thinks may be traded sometime during the season, 1. Zach Parise, 2. Kyle Turris, 3. Cory Schneider, 4. Sergei Gonchar, 5. Filip Kuba, 6. Evgeni Nabokov, 7. Tyler Bozak, 8. Sam Gagner, 9. Ales Hemsky, 10. Ryan Suter.
  • Elliotte Friedman of CBC: Coyotes Don Maloney re-iterated that he won’t trade Kyle Turris, and that if he wants to play this year, he be playing in Phoenix. After Friedman talked to a few people, it sounds like “Turris wants to be traded.”  Another GM says he’d sign a reasonable contract with another team. The Coyotes would match any reasonable contracts. If Turris isn’t signed by Dec. 1st, he is ineligible to play this year. Maloney would like to follow the “Keith Yandle model. After his entry-level deal he signed for 2  year, $2.4 million contract before he got a big 5 year, $26 million deal. Calgary would be interested if Turris became available but they may not have the prospects to get it done. One GM on Nashville situation with needing to sign Shea Weber, Pekka Rinne and Ryan Suter: “David Poile plays his cards very tightly. I don’t know what he’s going to do. But I’m preparing as if one of those players is going to become available [by trade].”
  • Michael Russo via twitter: The Wild will know by noon if someone has claimed Eric Nystrom off re-entry waivers for half his $1.4 million salary. If he clears, they’ll have to make a roster move by before 4 today. They could make a trade, put someone on IR, or reassign someone who doesn’t require waivers. Players that don’t have to pass through waivers are Marco Scandella (not likely), Brett Bulmer, and Jared Spurgeon.
  • CP in the Globe and Mail: Canadiens forward Mike Cammalleri will miss 10 to 14 days with a deep cut on his leg, no muscle or tendon was cut. Jaroslav Spacek will be out up to 3 weeks. They are also without forward Ryan White and defenseman Chris Campoli and Andrei Markov.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: JP Dumont will wait a couple more weeks to see if there is any interest from an NHL team. European teams are interested.
  • Dan Murphy via twitter: Canucks forward Ryan Kesler skated for over an hour yesterday. There was no update but they are still looking at a 18th or 20th return date.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: The Red Wings and Niklas Kronwall continued negotiations yesterday, progress was made but it’s a slow moving process.
  • Dan Tencer via twitter: Ryan Whitney doesn’t know when he’ll play. He’s not pain free but it’s been manageable for about a week.
  • Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: Sidney Crosby: “Closer than I was yesterday, I can’t give you a date, I’d love them to tell me a date I could come back and play, but right now it’s the same. … It’s never fun watching, it’s nice to be getting closer, it’s nice going out there and going hard and not have anything that’s really worried me (for the last couple of weeks).”

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Friday morning notes on Boogaard, Turris, Doan, Fisher, Havlat, Connolly, Campoli, Erixon, Hanzal and Kesler

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 7th, 2011

  • Abby Simons of the Star-Tribune: A judge has thrown the charge of felony third-degree sale of a controlled substance against Derek Boogaard’s brother Aaron. Aaron didn’t buy the painkillers for Derek, he was only holding onto them. He’s still being charged with interfering with a death stance. Aaron admitted that he flushed painkillers down the toilet before paramedics had arrived at Derek’s.
  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: There is still no progress between Kyle Turris and the Phoenix Coyotes. “We continue to have discussions with the Coyotes and are positive that over time Kyle will be playing,” his agent, Kurt Overhardt, told ESPN.com on Wednesday. “Kyle is in great shape and training hard in B.C.” The Coyotes are hoping to sign Shane Doan to a contract extension before he becomes a UFA at season’s end. Predators Mike Fisher will likely miss the first 2 games of the season. Marty Turco still hopes to catch on with a team.
  • Dave Hilson of the Toronto Sun: On injured Maple Leafs center Tim Connolly: “I’m not anticipating him playing Saturday, if he does it’s a bonus,” coach Ron Wilson said Thursday morning. “But if he comes to me and says he wants to play Saturday, if he thinks he’s ready, then he’ll probably play.”
  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens defenseman Chris Campoli left in the 2nd period last night, he’ll be re-examined today. Mike Cammalleri was sounding like it’s serious.
  • Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News: Defenseman Tim Erixon will make his debut with the Rangers. Recently acquired Jeff Woywitka may not play at all in Europe. Mats Zuccarello will start on a line with Derek Stepan and Wojtek Wolski.
  • TSN via twitter: Canucks Ryan Kesler could be back in 5-6 games according to GM Mike Gillis.

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Avery could return to Rangers … Alfie could retire after season … Havlat’s status uncertain … Habs claim Betts … Hulsizer closing in on Blues

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 6th, 2011

  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Rangers GM Glen Sather said that Sean Avery could be back with the Rangers at some point. “Of course we could recall him if he’s in Hartford and earns that,” Sather said. “You never know; somebody could play his way off this team.”
  • James Gordon of the Ottawa Citizen: This could be Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson last NHL season:

    “It all depends on how I feel, but I’m going to play like this is my last year and we’ll see how it goes. I think I approach it that way — that it could be the last one because you never know. I’m just going to give it everything I have and have no regrets looking back after.”

    Alfie hasn’t ruled out heading to a cup contender:

    “That might change, but as of right now, I have no desire to do that. I haven’t even thought about it that way. I’m committed to stay here, but who knows: things could change come February or March. But right now, I’d say ‘no’ to that question.”

  • David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: A final decision on whether Martin Havlat plays in Saturday’s opener has yet to be determined as Havlat was still on his way back from Cleveland. ESPN was saying he won’t be in the lineup. Sharks want to talk with Havlat and trainers. Tommy Wingels could take Havlat’s spot on the 2nd line if he’s not able to go.
  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: The Canadiens have claimed Blair Betts off waivers from the Flyers yesterday. He’s expected to be in the lineup tonight for their opener against the Maple Leafs. Betts replaces Andreas Engqvist on the 4th line. Aaron Palushaj and Michael Blunden were sent to the AHL and Jeff Woywitka could join them if he clears waivers. Andrei Markov and Ryan White have been placed on IR.
  • Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: It sounds like there is a verbal agreement for Matthew Hulsizer to buy the majority stake in the Blues, and that Dave Checketts could stay on in some capacity. 2 sources are saying a letter of intent has been signed, while another is saying it’s a verbal agreement and far from completion.
  • Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Tyler Bozak is not thinking about trade rumors that surround him and defenseman Carl Gunnarsson. “I’m not thinking of it, not at all,” Bozak said. “We have a home opener (on Thursday night) and that’s the only thing on my mind right now. “(Steckel) will help us a ton. We saw what Burkie (general manager Brian Burke) can do and he has been doing a great job.”
  • Jason Botchford via twitter: Canucks forward Ryan Kesler has been cleared for contact. Botchford thinks he’ll be playing in 2 weeks barring any setbacks.
  • Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney says it’s unlikely that he’ll play on Sunday, but isn’t closing the book on it. Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers defenseman Ladislav Smid is hopeful he’ll be able to go this weekend.
  • JP Hoornstra via twitter: The Kings have sent Slava Voynov to the AHL and placed Jake Muzzin and Colin Fraser to the IR.

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Afternoon twitter notes involving Doughty, Crosby and a couple Pens, Schenn, Lombardi, Brodeur, Redden, Markov, Kesler and others

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on September 16th, 2011

  • Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider posted a transcipt of a phone interview with Kings GM Dean Lombardi about Drew Doughty, and you should check it out in it’s entirety. A couple quick quotes from Lombardi:

    “The problem we have, and we’re going to have to see how this evolves, is that generally with a player, you establish his market value and he signs up for 275 days of work. That was the one thing that changed during the CBA, that players were paid during training camp. So, quite frankly, it’s the way we have to approach this. Let alone missing a day or work, as well as getting behind your teammates in terms of preparation. It probably makes this a little more difficult, but you have to factor that in now. You’re not getting a full year’s work as of today.”

    “Yeah. Well, it’s not that one [previous offer]. It doesn’t mean, certainly, that there isn’t going to be dialogue. The point is that missing days of work has to now factor into this negotiation. There’s no doubt in my mind that this kid is going to play here and play here a long time. But now, like I said, missing a day of work has to be factored into this. It’s no different than any other player. The lines of communication are certainly open. There was a cordial discussion last night, and that’s it.”

  • Darren Dreger via twitter: The $3.6 million for 5 years the Maple Leafs gave Luke Schenn is more than they wanted to spend. They could have signed Schenn for 3 years at around $3 million, but they wanted to a do a longer term. Jonas Siegel via twitter: Leafs GM Brian Burke said that they explored 2, 3, and 5 year contracts with Schenn. A 4  year deal was never discussed as it would take Schenn to unrestricted free agency.
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils Martin Brodeur said the thought that this could be his last training camp has crossed his mind. Contract is up and retirement is a possibility … But …  Rich Chere via twitter: Brodeur added “Even (if) there was a work stoppage (after this season), I might be interested to keep going.”
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Dmitry asks Bob McKenzie when he thinks the Maple Leafs will start talking to Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. Bob McKenzie doesn’t think that there is no rush, that Burke will want to see “their full body of work” during the season before they make any commitments.
  • Rich Chere via twitter: Steve Bernier said that he turned down a 2-way contract offer from other teams but decided to “risk everything” and take a tryout offer from the Devils.
  • Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Blue Jackets coach Arniel said that Prospal, Vermette, Brassard, Umberger are early candidates to be on the big line.
  • Marc Antoine Godin via twitter: Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov: “I won’t be ready tomorrow but I will be ready one day.”. October 6th? “There’s always a chance.”
  • Mark Spector via twitter: Canucks coach Vigneault said that Ryan Keslser is “out indefinitely,” he won’t be skating when camp opens. Mason Raymond is also out indefinitely.
  • Don Brennan via twitter: Though Pascal Leclaire is not under contract with the Senators (or anyone else), but they are responsible for helping bring him back to health as he was injured while under contract with them.

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Twitter notes on Raymond, Kesler, Winchester, Savard, Quick and the NJ Devils

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 13th, 2011

  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: It’s sounding like Canucks Mason Raymond may not be back mid-late November, and Ryan Kesler could be mid-November.
  • James Mirtle via twitter: If the Devils are for sale, it’s not a great time as the Coyotes, Blues, and Stars have been searching for a while for new owners. Mirtle points out that it’s not only the sunbelt teams that struggle, as the Islanders, Blue Jackets and Devils are all in tough right now.
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador won’t be cleared by doctors until he takes his physical on Friday. He missed all of last season with a concussion.

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Kane anxious for season … Bruins seeing what Marchand’s trade value is … Krejci and Bruins talking extension … Canucks have top 6 spot open

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 11th, 2011

  • Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times: Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane still has his cast on his left wrist, but is sure he’ll be ready for the season opener.

    ‘‘It’s been a long time, and I’m anxious to start the season,’’ Kane said Saturday as he and four teammates took part in Blackhawks Day at U.S. Cellular Field. ‘‘I think I’ll be ready right away. I think once I get this [cast] off, I’ll be able to do pretty much anything. I practiced with the guys the other day, just trying to keep up with skating. I think just strengthening it will be the only thing.’

  • Bruce Garrioch via twitter: With the Bruins training camp approaching and with no contract for Brad Marchand, the Bruins are sniffing around to see what his trade value is. “For those doubting the Bruins shopping Marchand. Don’t.” Garrioch doesn’t think the gap is insurmoutable but the Bruins may want to see what they can get for him after 1 good year.
  • Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: The Bruins and David Krejci had started contract extension talks. Krejci should be the teams number 1 center and is entering the final year of his 3 year, $11.25 million deal. He could see a deal similar to Patrice Bergeron’s 3 year, $15 million deal.
  • Jim Jamieson of the Vancouver Province: The Vancouver Canucks will have a spot in their top 6 open due to Ryan Kesler’s offseason hip surgery and with Mason Raymond out still with his fractured vertebrae. Cody Hodgson, Chris Higgins, Marco Sturm and Bill Sweatt will be vying for a spot.
  • Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Cooper lists 5 prospects Predators fans should watch: Chet Prickard, Ryan Ellis, Craig Smith, Roman Josi and Austin Watson.
  • Katie Carrrera of the Washington Post: Though the Capitals have 7 defenseman on 1-way contracts, not including Tom Poti, prospect Dmitry Orlov may push those ahead of him on the depth chart. Other Capitals prospects to watch are forward Cody Eakin, Mattias Sjogren and Stanislav Galiev.

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Lokomotiv suspends operations for year … 6 prominent RFAs remain … Selanne decision may not come this week … Pronger and Kesler may not be ready start of season

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 10th, 2011

  • Slava Malamud via twitter: The team president, regional government and sponsors have decided that Lokomotiv won’t play this year. “Inability to assemble a competitive team (with not only players, but “chemistry” and a game plan) on a short notice cited as the reason.”
  • Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: There are 6 prominent RFAs still unsigned: Drew Doughty, Luke Schenn, Zach Bogosian, Brad Marchand, Kyle Turris and Josh Bailey. Doughty has reportedly turned down a 9 year, $61.2 million deal and Turris may be looking for more than $4 million a season. One agent said, “Luke Schenn isn’t going to sign before Drew Doughty unless someone blinks.” Training camp starts next week, will there be any holdouts?
  • Katie Strang of Newsday: Islanders forward Josh Bailey still remains unsigned, but both sides are working to get something done. “No question,” Bailey said. “I don’t even consider the other side of things. My focus is here. I’m an Islander and that’s the way I want it to stay.”
  • Tim Campbell and Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press: The line of communication between RFA Zach Bogosian and the Jets are open but no deal is imminent. “Things are pretty much status quo,” the GM said. “There are conversations as we go. Time will play itself out.” Jets camp opens next Saturday.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Teemu Selanne may put off his decision to play or not until after training camp opens next week.

    “I might even go (into) the first week of training camp and just go as a tryout for starters,” Selanne said. “I know I’ve got to sign something to get into camp. But I think there would be benefits for the team and myself. I don’t want to just try it and say, ‘Sorry, I can’t do it.’”

  • Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Lou Lamoriello said that Travis Zajac would miss 3 months after he had surgery to repair Achilles tendon. Zajac has talked to some people who have had the same injury, for some it took 3 months, but for some others it took 4 to 6 months. He suffered the injury on Aug. 17th.

    “It depends on the athlete and the person, but from guys I’ve talked to with the injury that (three months) seems like a reasonable timeframe for some guys and some guys were a little longer,” Zajac said. “Hopefully, if things progress well (he’ll be back in three months). I was told it’s the rehab that is the key part that’s going to get you back the quickest.”

  • Sam Carchidi via twitter: Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger had a positive step in his rehab, but it’s still a long shot that he’s ready for their Oct. 6th opener.
  • Chicago Tribune: The Blackhawks have acquired Jonathan Toews brother, David, from the New York Islanders for future considerations. David scored 20 goals and added 28 assists with Brandon of the WHL last year.

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