Posts Tagged Scott Howson

Blue Jackets will be active … Sharks carrying 3 goalies for now … Lehtonen to be actived, Raycroft to be waived … Luongo to start

Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Starting Goalies on December 28th, 2011

  • Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson on his struggling team, “We’ll be active.”

    “The first six or seven weeks of the season, it was too disjointed,” he said. “We had (James) Wisniewski out. We had (Jeff) Carter out. We had (Radek) Martinek out. We had (Mark) Dekanich out. … It was just too disjointed to get a clear picture. The picture is becoming clearer now. We aren’t playing well enough and … me as management has to find a solution to help the team.”

    “Everything’s on the table,” he said. “We’ve got to look at everything. We’ve got to seriously look at everything. Now that’s different than saying, ‘I’m going to phone every GM tomorrow and say who do you want, (Rick) Nash, Carter or (R.J.) Umberger?’ but we’ve got to look at the whole situation and we’ve got to consider everything.”

  • David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Sharks management have their mid-season meetings on Jan. 14th, where they make some decision on what they’ll do before the Feb. 28th trade deadline.

    “We’re carrying three goalies now and we can’t predict the future,” said Wayne Thomas, who doubles as the Sharks’ goalie coach and assistant general manager. “We can’t predict other teams’ needs, we can’t predict our needs. What we try to do is just keep all three of them ready. That’s the job.”

  • Jim Jamieson via twitter: Roberto Luongo will start in net for the Canucks against the Sharks. Cory Schneider will start on Thursday or Saturday.
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen should be ready to go tomorrow against the Blue Jackets. Lehtonen will need to be activated from the IR. As a result, Andrew Raycroft has been informed that he’ll be put on waivers today. Richard Bachman will be the backup after going 5-2-0 with a 2.76 GAA while Lehtonen was out.
  • Erik Erendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning forward Martin St. Louis must wear a full cage for the next month as he recovers from an eye injury. Once he’s able to remove the full the full cage, he’ll be putting on a plastic visor for the 1st time in 15 years.

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Giroux practices … Arniel safe … Burke could be looking at a Jan. trade … Parise only dealt if can’t be re-sign

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 19th, 2011

NHL holiday roster freeze kicks in at midnight tonight and ends at midnight on the 27th.

  • Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly:  Claude Giroux practiced with the Flyers yesterday in a no contact jersey for the first time since sustaining a concussion. He said his headaches are “pretty much” gone. Giroux is not expected to play until after Christmas, and could miss the Winter Classic.
  • Aaron Portzline via twitter: Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson on Scott Arniel’s coaching status:

    “Coaching is not an issue on this team, as to where we are right now.”

    “The players have to take it upon themselves to play better. “We’re all struggling through this, players included.”

  • Kevin Paul Dupont via twitter: The Maple Leafs are wilting, so expect GM Brian Burke to make a significant deal at the start of January. It’s time for ID “tradeables” on the Leafs roster.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets talked with the Coyotes about Kyle Turris, but they couldn’t find a match. It’s likely the Blue Jackets will trade Vinny Prospal at the trade deadline. The 36 year old will be a UFA at the end of the season.
  • Darren Dreger of TSN: Before being sent to the Canadiens for Jaroslav Spacek, the Hurricanes were offering a 2nd round pick to anyone willing to take Tomas Kaberle’s contract. If the Canadiens miss the playoffs or are knocked out early, can expect a full organizational review, with GM Pierre Gautier being very vulnerable. A few teams have made strong offers for Maple Leafs defensemen Keith Aulie and Cody Franson. They were “good” offers, but Burke isn’t interested in trading either defenseman at the moment. Burke may use Franson as a “piece” in his “fine tuning.” Aulie may only be dealt if he’s part of a bigger deal. The Devils priority is to re-sign Zach Parise, and he’d only be dealt after Lamoriello has done everything he can to re-sign him. Dreger thinks the Red Wings and Penguins would be as aggressive on Parise as other teams.
  • Michael Russo via twitter: The Wild have called up Chad Rau and Jed Ortmeyer, placed Casey Wellman on the IR, and sent Cody Almond back to the AHL. The Wild do not expect Mikko Koivu or Pierre-Marc Bouchard to be in the lineup.

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Turris hurting his development … Moves could be happening in Columbus Monday … Lightning had interest in Bernier … Pronger video … Sutton hit

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on October 30th, 2011

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Kyle Turris’ agent remains hopeful that he will get an offer sheet. Some league execs believe Turris and his agent Overhardt misplayed the situation. “The only one being hurt by this is the player because it’s hurting his development,” said a league executive speaking on the condition of anonymity. “I don’t know what has gone on there, but I don’t see (Turris) winning.” There were rumors that the Canucks may sign him to an offer sheet, but sources say that isn’t happening.

    “Turris hasn’t been shopped around at all,” said the executive. “Any team that has spoken to Maloney has been told he’s not going to be dealt.”

    Many believe that Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier could be the next to go. Bob Gainey could be his replacement, Lightning assistant GM Julien Brisebois is another option. The Blue Jackets have been trying to make a trade without much luck. GM Howson has refused to fire coach Scott Arniel, but he may have no choice soon. They are getting calls for defenseman Kris Russell and center Derick Brassard. The Lightning tried to trade for Jonathan Bernier at the draft and there is talk that the Kings may look to move him at some point. The Kings are trying to trade Dustin Penner and his $4.5 million salary. He may get more interest once his salary number goes down.

  • Eric Francis of the Calgary Flames: The NHL and NHLPA are looking at some prototype shoulder pads that are more form fitting and not made of hard plastic. The league is also looking into “neck guards, cut-proof underwear, Kevlar socks, longer gloves and wrist guard.” NHL realignment is becoming more complicated than a simple swap of the Jets and a Western Conference team. “The movement now revolves around having teams in four divisions with the playoff playdowns in each division first. Each team would play home and home games against each team outside its division.”
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Sources are saying that Blue Jackets president Mike Priest has contacted Ken Hitchcock about coming back to coach the team. Former GM Craig Button has also been contacted. GM Scott Howson and/or coach Scott Arniel could be fired on Monday. Other potential coaches/GMs may have been contacted. Button and Hitchcock worked together with the Stars in the 90′s.
  •  Tim Panaccio of the CSN Philly: Flyers center Danny Briere missed last night’s game due to an upper body injury. It’s not expected that he’ll miss more time.
  • AP in the Globe and Mail: Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger is suffering from some blurred vision from the eye drops and doesn’t know when he’ll return.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers defenseman Andy Sutton will meet with Brendan Shanahan on Monday regarding his hit on Avs Gabriel Landeskog on Friday, and has been suspended for at least tonight’s game.

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Sunday morning Rumor roundup part one

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on February 6th, 2011

  • Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province: There are rumors that the NHL is looking into buying the Atlanta Thrashers and moving them to Winnipeg. They would raise $160 million, putting $35 million towards running the team, and offer $125 million to buy the team. It’s not know how far this idea has gone, or if it’s just in the tire kicking stages.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson could be on the hotseat, and possibly the same for Darcy Regier if the new owner wants to start fresh.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Bruins should announce this week if Marc Savard is shut down for the season or not. The Bruins could be looking for forward help and Jackets, Senators, Oilers and Panthers have forwards available for trade. With Evgeni Malkin done for the year it’s likely the Penguins will look at add some scoring. The Thrashers are looking to move Nik Antropov, Ron Hainsey and Freddy Modin.The only way Florida brings back Tomas Vokoun is if it’s on a 1 year deal. The Predators, Kings, and Lightning are looking at Mike Fisher, but the Senators are unlikely to move him. The Sens are looking for 2 top prospects and a high pick. The Canadiens, Sharks, Bruins and Capitals could be interested in Chris Phillips.
  • David Kalan of NHL.com: What might the Penguins do with Malkin now done. Jason Arnott might be of interest to the Penguins. The Pens will be able to bring in $8.1 million in salary cap at the deadline. The Pens now have the salary space to add an Ales Hemsky or Dustin Penner, and if shooting for the moon, Jarome Iginla. Malkin’s number comes back on the books next year, so bringing in some help that is under contract next year could be difficult to do.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson said he won’t discuss contract extensions with any of his 5 UFA’s, so they may become trade bait. Jan Hejda, Mathieu Garon, Ethan Moreau and Chris Clark and Andrew Murray will all be UFAs. Mike Commodore could be bought out in the summer if they can’t find a team to take him.
  • Can’t find embed code for last night’s Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove yet, but here is a link to it.
  • NHL Sources Say: The Hockeycentral panel discuss what the Penguins might do to replace Evgeni Malkin (Alex Kovalev an option) as well as a potential trade between Edmonton and Ottawa (Penner and Phillips as key pieces of the deal). Yzerman may be looking to improve along the blueline, possibly Beachemin and  Phillips. Senators are looking for a goaltender.

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Not many trades at the draft, but that could change now … Savard to Leafs?

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Trades on June 28th, 2010

  • Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: It appears that the Toronto Maple leafs are considering trading for Marc Savard. Savard is willing to waive his no trade clause for either Toronto or Ottawa. Savard received a concussion from a Matt Cooke hit last season, and has a cap hit of about $4 million for 7 years. His contract is front end loaded. Cox thinks it could be a risky pick up for the Leafs but one the Leafs may not be able to resist. It is speculated that if the LA Kings don’t sign Ilya Kovalchuk, they may look at Tomas Kaberle. The Lightning also showed some interest in Kaberle, and could offer up Ryan Malone.
  • Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The price to acquire Marc Savard will be much cheaper than that for Tim Thomas. Savard may not be a ‘Burke-type’ player, but adding Phil Kessel’s old center is intriguing. Burke can’t say much due to tampering rules. Kaberle is not expected to be in any talks for Savard. McGran thinks the Bruins could be talked into Mikael Grabovski. Savard’s salary and his concussion last year could bring down the price.
  • Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun: The Leafs won’t do a Kaberle for Savard deal. Rumors are floating around that GM Peter Chiarelli has downgraded his demands for Savard, possibly prospects and/or draft picks. Longley thinks the Leafs could get Savard for Grabovski or Nikolai Kulemin and others. Things for Kaberle could pick on later on this week for Tomas Kaberle, to land another top forward.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: If the Ottawa Senators are unable to re-sign Andy Sutton and Anton Volchenkov, they could take a look at Sheldon Souray. Jonathan Cheechoo could be included as they’d need the cap numbers to be similar, the Oilers could then buyout Cheechoo as they have the space to absorb the cap hit. Defensemen Brian Lee and Chris Campoli may also be on the trading block. The Senators may take a look at signing Dan Hamhuis or Sergei Gonchar if they become available.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Penguins are trying to sign recently acquired UFA, Dan Hamhuis. They are also still talking Sergei Gonchar, who wants a 3 year deal, which he won’t get from Pittsburgh. If they can’t reach an agreement soon, they’ll look to trade his rights. The Devils acquired Jason Arnott a couple weeks ago in hope of getting Patrick Elias going. The Buffalo Sabres were originally looking to draft a forward, but went with Mark Pysyk. The Minnesota Wild won’t be bring Owen Nolan back next season. He’d like to finish his career in San Jose but Pittsburgh and Washington would give him a better chance to win the cup. The Washington Capitals are looking for a number 2 center in the $3.5 million range or less (I think Matthew Lombardi could be an interesting fit, though in this weak free agent crop, he may get more than $3.5 mill).
  • Damian Cristero of the St. Petersberg Times: There was talk over the weekend that the Tampa Bay Lightning showed interest in trading for Tomas Kaberle, and the rights to Evgeni Nabokov and Chris Mason. It might take a Ryan Malone to get Kaberle, which may not make sense for them. Nabokov’s rights went to the Flyers. Yzerman doesn’t expect to make a big splash in free agency, though he will be looking at adding a goalie. Options could be: Mason, Marty Turco, Michael Leighton, Dan Ellis, Martin Biron and Jose Theodore.
  • Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post: While most teams shied away from the Russians at the draft, the Capitals picked up 2 of the top Russians, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Stanislav Galiev. GM George McPhee believes the lure of playing with Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin, while give some Russians a stronger desire to play in the NHL.
  • Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: Columbus GM Scott Howson on how it can be hard to make a trade at the draft, “It’s very difficult to go to a team right at the draft table and say ‘Do you want this player?’ because they haven’t thought about it and haven’t done enough work on it, so they get uncomfortable with it. They’re focused on the draft.”
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Teams weren’t that focused on trading/unloading players at the draft, they were more concentrated on drafting players or trading for draft picks, moving up or down.

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Leafs Close Could be Close to Cap Next Year … Ice Edge Pulling Offer for Coyotes? Blue Jackets to Interview for Head Coaching Position … Kovalev Hurt

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on April 9th, 2010

  • Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke isn’t worried about the Leafs cap situation for next season. “I’m not worried about (the cap),” general manager Brian Burke said. “We’re not shackled here. I don’t think we’re handcuffed. If I thought we were handcuffed, I’d tell you that.” If the Leafs go into next season with the same roster, and add Nazem Kadri, their cap number is about $51.55 million. About $55.55 million after resigning RFA Jonas Gustavsson and Nikolai Kulemin. Options they have to free up some money are demoting Jeff Finger to the minors, and/or listening to offers for Mike Komisarek or Francois Beauchemin. Tomas Kaberle is also a trade option.
  • Toronto Sun: Ice Edge Holdings is considering pulling its offer to buy the Phoenix Coyotes, as talks with the city of Glendale aren’t going well.
  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Hickey thinks that Martin Biron would be a good back up candidate for either the Jaroslav Halak or Carey Price next year for the Canadiens.
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: A reader asks Mike of possible defensemen targets for the Dallas Stars this off-season through free agency or trade. Heika lists some possibilities as: Sergei Gonchar, Pavel Kubina, Kim Johnsson, Paul Martin, Derek Morris, Willie Mitchell, Anton Volchenkov and Dan Hamhuis.
  • Aaron Portzline of hte Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets interim coach Claude Noel has had some success since he took over for Ken Hitchcock, leading them to a 10-9-5 record down the stretch, but that doesn’t garantee him the coaching gig for next year. GM Scott Howson will interview at least 6 to 8 other candidates, including Noel. On the list could be Kevin Dineen (Portland AHL), Paul MacLean (Det. asst.), Brent Peterson (Nash. asst.), Kevin McCarthy (Phil. asst.), Scott Steven (NJ asst.), Jim Playfair, Craig MacTavish, Guy Boucher (Hamilton AHL) and Bob Boughner (Windsor OHL).
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators may have lost Alex Kovalev for an indefinite period of time. Kovalev was helped off the ice in the second period with an injured left leg. Kovalev was unable to put any weight on his leg, more should be known today.
  • Dan Barnes of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers needed to kick start the rebuiding process hard this summer, and if they don`t, it would be a disappointment. Barnes lists the following players that could be on their way out: Charles Linglet, Dean Arsene, Aaron Johnson, Marc Pouliot, Patrick O’Sullivan, Fernando Pisani, Mike Comrie, Robert Nilsson, Devan Dubnyk, Ryan Potulny, Ryan Jones, Ethan Moreau and Sheldon Souray.

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