Posts Tagged Tom Kostopoulos

Quick Hits: Draft Lottery, Kostopoulos, Boychuk, Hamrlik, Visnovsky and Bennett

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on March 5th, 2013

  • Dan Rosen via twitter: The NHL draft lottery will held on April 29th and the NHL draft will be held on June 30th in New Jersey.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: The Predators have claimed Zach Boychuk off waivers from the Penguins. The Capitals put Roman Hamrlik on waivers.
  • Stephen Whyno via twitter: Hamrlik is in the last year of his contract. He has a $3.5 million salary cap hit. Bob McKenzie via twitter: Hamrlik lost his job with the Capitals as there are four left handed defenseman ahead of him on the depth chart: Alzner, Erskine, Poti and Schultz. Coach Adam Oates insists that lefties play the left side.
  • Arthur Staple via twitter: Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky has headed back to Slovakia to attend a family tragedy. He’s expected to be back by the weekend.

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Stars could make FA splash … Nash hurt … Henrik OK … Carter may be good for playoffs … Flames UFAs … Schneider says Luongo … What was Clowe thinking?

Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on April 6th, 2012

  • Jeff Klein of the NY Times: Rangers Henrik Lundqvist’s forearm injury is fine enough that he could have played last night. “I would play probably, but it’s a good opportunity to get a good practice, get a little rest, and get back at it.”
  • Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: Kings forward Jeff Carter skated yesterday for 20 minutes. It’s unlikely that he’ll play on Saturday. Carter seems confident that he’d be able to return to the lineup for the start of the playoffs if they make it. “Oh yeah. I really don’t think that’s an issue. I should be good to go, with the way it has progressed over the last few days.”
  • Kristen Odland of the Calgary Herald: The Flames will have to decide if they want to bring back UFAs Scott Hannan, Tom Kostopoulos, Olli Jokinen, Lee Stempniak, David Moss and Cory Sarich.

    “I know that I’m up,” Sarich was saying the other day. “No idea whether the team is interested in having me stick around. I’m not sure if there will be other teams interested. You always want and hope that there are.”

  • Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: Canucks Cory Schneider thinks that Roberto Luongo should be their starter in the playoffs.

    “He’s the guy who got us to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals last year, not me,” Schneider said of Luongo. “He’s clearly earned the right to [start the playoffs], both through his performance and his history and experience.

    “I don’t see why they wouldn’t start him.

    “I’ve seen [Luongo] up close for two seasons now, and I have no doubt that when the playoffs start, he’ll be ready to go and he’ll be ready to raise his game.”

  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Ducks have reached a verbal agreement with Swedish goalie, Viktor Fasth. He will sign with the Ducks after the World Hockey Championships. The Ducks wouldn’t confirm the report. The 29 year old had a 23-21 record with a 2.12 GAA and .913 SV% with AIK this past season.

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Morning notes: Flames, Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Morrow, Bernier, Wilson, Vanek, Schultz, Byfuglien and Vokoun

Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on April 2nd, 2012

  • Nick Kypreos via twitter: Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey may have a hearing today at 1 PM for his elbow to the head of Panthers forward Tomas Kopecky.
  • Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: The Flames missed the playoffs for the 3rd season in a row, and the team is at a crossroads. Jarome Iginla will be 35 when next season starts and is in the final year of his deal. Does Iginla want to stay and take part in another rebuild? If not, they need to find out quickly and attempt to get the most return for him. Miikka Kiprusoff has 2 years left, he’ll make $5 million next year and $1.5 million the following year. Brent Sutter’s status will need to be re-evaluated this summer. UFAs are: Olli Jokinen, Lee Stempniak, David Moss, Tom Kostopoulos, Cory Sarich and Scott Hannan. Feaster’s primary need is a #1 center.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson handicaps the next Canadiens GM: 3-1 Patrick Roy, 4-1 Julien Brisebois. 5-1 Francois Giguere, 7-1 Marc Bergevin, 8-1 Pierre McGuire, 9-1 Claude Loiselle, 10-1 Vincent Damphousse, 12-1 Pierre Dorion, 15-1 Pat Brisson. The Stars may ask Brenden Morrow for a list of teams that he might be willing to accept a trade to this summer. The Lightning will look at Jonathan Bernier this summer, but the Kings won’t move him until they get a veteran to backup Quick. They’ll be looking for someone who’s started before. The Predators may not have a fit for their 2008 1st round pick, Colin Wilson, and may look to move him after the season. Sabres winger Thomas Vanek has possibly been playing with a shoulder problem for months. Matheson wonders where the Maple Leafs will get a #1 goalie. Would Calgary move Kiprusoff? Matheson offers a Schneider for Gardiner and Reimer deal or their lottery pick and a defenseman not named Gardiner. It doesn’t look like Ducks prospect Justin Schultz wants to sign with them, and many feel the Rangers have the inside track. One GM said the Oilers would be a good fit for Schultz. The Stars will go after Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, but the Red Wings may have the inside track.
  • Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has a “lower body bone bruise.”

    “It’s never fun to play hurt and it has cut down on my ability to get around out there. But you have to help the team and I won’t shut it down for even a game until we’re eliminated. I have to do my part,” said Byfuglien.

  • Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: The Maple Leafs need to acquire a goalie this summer, but the free agent crop isn’t that great: Tomas Vokoun, Josh Harding, Martin Biron and Chris Mason. The Leafs need to look bigger: Roberto Luongo, Cory Scneider or Miikka Kiprusoff.

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Flames rumors … CBJ issues … GMs may look for mandatory visors … Doughty this week is possible … Connolly stays … Whitney injured again

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 26th, 2011

  • Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Francis laughs at the rumor that Daniel Alfredsson could interest the Flames at some point. The Flames do have an interest in Coyotes holdout Kyle Turris. A source close to the situation has said that the Flames are one of six teams to make a ‘significant’ offer. Coyotes GM Don Maloney is still saying he doesn’t have plans to trade him. Rene Bourque is also front and center in trade rumors lately. Flames GM Jay Feaster continues to tell other GMs that Mark Giordano is not available. Francis doesn’t see the Flames trading Jarome Iginla. Ollie Jokinen wants to re-sign with the Flames. Tim Jackman and Tom Kostopoulos are UFAs and could draw minor interest at some point. David Moss won’t be traded unless he wants out. They would love to move Matt Stajan and his $3.5 million salary in a package, but it’s unlikely that there is anyone else on their roster to draw that much interest.
  • Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: The Blue Jackets are having issues on and off the ice. There are reports that they are losing $25 million a season, and there is talk about the long-term survival of the franchise. Their last few home games have only drawn 9,000 fans.
  • James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Two high profile GMs have said they’d like to see more players starting next season.

    “Visors should be mandatory for all defencemen, at the least,” Burke said, adding that blueliners are at “a far greater risk” of being hit in the face by a puck because of all the deflections in front of the net.

    “I’d want to hear the GMs out on the larger topic [of everyone having to wear them], but I think I would support Homer.”

  • Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: The Jets won’t be pulling off any blockbuster deals because the team is off to a slow start. They may pull off some smaller deals along the way, but finding a trade partner who isn’t trying to fleece is hard to find. Most teams aren’t looking to get rid of 30 goal scorers and many teams would like to upgrade their blueline.
  • Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider: Kings defenseman Drew Doughty was wearing a no-contact jersey again at practice yesterday. When asked yesterday when Doughty will see the doctor next, Murray said, “The opportunity will probably be tonight, to see the doctor at the rink. We plan on taking him with us on the road trip, kind of shooting for the end of the week here as a possibility.”
  • Erik Erlendsson via twitter: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman confirmed that they will be keeping Brett Connolly and won’t be sending him back to junior.
  • Shaun Starr via twitter: Canadiens Max Pacioretty has a partially torn ligament in his wrist. Starr has been told surgery is unlikely. Renaud Lavoie via twitter: It’s a partial tear, no breaks, deep bruise. He could be back in the lineup this week.
  • Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers coach Tom Renny says that Ryan Whitney has a sprained knee but it’s not significant. A few days and he should be fine.
  • Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Wild forward Guilaume Latendresse is bothered by a wonky groin again, and look for the Wild to be cautious with him. Dany Heatley and Greg Zanon are also bothered by groin issues. Brett Bulmer will play in his 9th game on Thursday and likely won’t be returned to junior.
  • Luke DeCock via twitter: Scouts in Carolina last night were the Blue Jackets, Flyers and Penguins. The Canes play the Flyers and Pens in the next 3 weeks. They don’t play the Blue Jackets.

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Pronger skating … Backstrom groin problem? Stuart’s jaw broken, Kostopoulos to be suspended (video)? Horcoff 2 weeks away?

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Audio, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on January 8th, 2011

  • Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: Chris Pronger skated yesterday by himself for the 2nd time since fracturing his foot. He could be back in the Flyers lineup around the All-Star game later this month.
  • Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Niklas Backstrom’s next start on Sunday could be in jeopardy with what might be a groin injury. Antti Miettinen will take the morning skate to see if he can go tonight.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart had his jaw broken by a Tom Kostopoulos questionable hit last night (video at bottom of entry). The Wings hope he’ll be able to have surgery when they get to Vancouver.

    “I’d assume they’d look at it and I’d assume he’s suspended,” Babcock said. “You’re supposed to protect the good players in the league and that’s a good player. I mean, I would have no problem if the guy buries him, he’s swinging at the puck, but you don’t have to hit him in the head. There’s no reason to do that. It’s disappointing.”

  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers captain Shawn Horcoff was expected to miss 8 weeks with a sprained MCL (originally hurt on Dec.7th) but is ahead of schedule. There is a chance he’s back in the lineup in 10-14 days, 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche forward Chris Stewart is practicing but still wearing a non-contact jersey. He’s getting closer to returning.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Blue Jackets: Mike Commodore cleared waivers yesterday, and the team continues to try and trade him. If they can’t find a deal right away, they could send him to their AHL team, put him on re-entry waivers and hope someone bites at 1/2 the price or loan him to another AHL team to basically remove him from their organization (what the Oilers did to Sheldon Souray). GM Scott Howson will meet with Commodore first before saying what they may do with him.
  • AP in New York Times: Lamoriello says the NJ Devils are not rebuilding, but wouldn’t rule out future deals, but not Martin Brodeur.
  • Fan 590 Audio: Brian Burke on HockeyCentral @ Noon talking about their victory over the Blues, “Ron Wilson’s job security, the progression of his young players and the struggles of Francois Beauchemin and Mike Komisarek.

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Flames send White and Sutter to Carolina for Babchuk and Kostopoulos

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Trades on November 17th, 2010

Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: The Calgary Flames have sent defenseman Ian White and forward Brett Sutter to the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Anton Babchuk and forward Tom Kostopoulos.

Brett is the son of GM Darryl Sutter, has gain some media exposure lately after his brush with law, “Drunk Sutter sucker-punched cabbie”

Capgeek via twitter: “Remaining cap hits for Flames Babchuk and Kostopoulos: $1,806,004. Remaining cap hits for the Hurricanes White and Sutter: $2,709,674.”

After the Flames signed Mark Giordano to a contract extension, it was obvious that White would not be re-signed after the season. The Flames have a lot of money tied up in their blueline with Jay Bouwmeester, Robyn Regher, Cory Sarich and Steve Staios. White had signed a 1 year deal worth $5 less than $3 million. Matt Stajan and Niklas Hagman are the 2 remaining pieces from Dion Phaneuf trade.

Luke Decock of the Raleigh News & Observer: Decock breaks down the trade for the Hurricanes.

Fan 960 Audio: Conference Call following trade. Jay Feaster, Tom Kostopoulos, and Anton Babchuk.

Fan 960 Audio: Tom Kostopoulos talking with Rob Kerr.

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