Posts Tagged Tuuka Rask

Tradability of some Capitals … Gillis responds to Luongo rumors … Injury notes on Markov, MacDonald, Kubina, Martinez, Richards, Higgins and Morrow

  • Craig Custance of ESPN: Custance looks at the tradability of some Capitals if they can’t turn it around. Alex Ovechkin: Anything is possible, but he is the face the franchise. He has a cap hit of $9.5 million until 2020-21. Hard to imagine they’d move him. Mike Green: He’ll be a RFA at seasons end. Battling injuries all year, but could be a centerpiece of a Capitals shakeup. Alexander Semin: Carries a cap hit of $6.7 million and has been in the rumor mill for awhile. He would be the most likely ‘top’ player to be dealt if the Capitals decided to do something big. May only get a draft pick for him and not a player in return that would help win a Cup. Nicklas Backstrom: Like Ovechkin, pretty much an untouchable. Has a modified no-trade clause.
  • Elliotte Friedman of CBC.ca: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said it’s not his final season, “Not unless you know something I don’t.” On Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford giving up his GM post to Ron Francis, “That may happen at some point,” Rutherford said. “But it’s not just around the corner.” The Hurricanes could look to move Tuomo Ruuttu and Tomas Kaberle. A couple of GMs have said a players contract for this year can make it difficult to make a trade. Many teams are at the top of their budget or over due to injuries. Ducks GM Murray said many teams called about Ryan, some thought he was being “auctioned off. ” Toronto, Philadelphia, Rangers, Vancouver, Florida, Carolina, Minnesota and others had interest. Murray added that Selanne will retire a Duck. Some Cup contenders have some cap room this year: Sharks ($2.5 million), Bruins ($4.5 million), Blackhawks ($5.5 million) and Red Wings ($5.6 million). The Panthers were interested in Kyle Turris, but it may be difficult to mess with chemistry down in Florida now. Friedman wonders if the Flames would consider trading Miikka Kiprusoff. His no-movement clause ends at the end of the season.
  • Katie Strang via twitter: Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald has been put the IR and is expected to be out 2 to 4 weeks with a right leg injury.
  • Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund suffered a “big” setback in his recovery. Pavel Kubina has a lower body injury and missed last night’s game. He is not ruling himself out for tonight’s game. “Let’s not kid ourselves,” Boucher said. “We’re not in a position as a team to lose defensemen and keep playing and look the same way. The reality is it’s something we know we have to improve, so it’s tough.” Mathieu Garon will likely start in net tonight.
  • Rich Hammond via twitter: Kings Alec Martinez has been medically cleared to return but will likely miss at least one more game. Mike Richards is “feeling better” but hasn’t returned to the ice and will miss at least the next 2 games due to being on the IR. Richards is able to ride a stationary bike.
  • Monte Stewart of the Globe and Mail: Canucks will be without Chris Higgins tonight as he’s out with a staph infection in his foot. Viktor Oreskovich was recalled and will likely find himself on the 4th line.
  • Jim Diamond via twitter: Pekka Rinne will start in net for the Predators tonight against the Coyotes. Unless according to coach Barry Trotz “he has the flu or falls down the stairs or something like that.”

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Hall out 2-4 weeks … Rask likely staying, Bruins could explore Krejci’s value … Ducks shopping Ryan … Gauthier scouting LA-SJ … injury updates

  • 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.
  • 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: 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.

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Afternoon notes involving Crosby, Connolly, Markstrom, Alfredsson, Keith, Hemsky, Hurricanes, Blues and Devils

  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: Sidney Crosby didn’t rule a Friday return date, but he didn’t suggest it’s any more likely that any other upcoming games.
  • Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes Gm Jim Rutherford said they won’t be shaking up their coaching staff but changes need to done to “strengthen our team.” The Canes are off to a 5-6-3 start. Eric Staal has just 6 points in 14 games, and is not injured according to Rutherford.
  • Craig Custance via twitter: If the Blues continue their struggling ways under new coach Ken Hitchcock, trades could be coming.

    “You’re going to see guys moved out of there,” the source said. “Those are the guys that you’re going to find out that they weren’t ready to buy into his program. He’s going to move them. Doug Armstrong is going to move them out and bring in people.”

  • Tim Wharnsby via twitter: Ken Hitchcock said he was offer the Blues head coaching position at 3 pm, and was heading to St. Louis in his car by 6:30 pm.
  • Tim Wharnsby via twitter: Oilers coach Tom Renney said that there is a “reasonable chance” that Ales Hemsky will get back in the lineup later this week.
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils lines at practice: Parise-Henrique-Clarkson; Sykora-Elias-Zubrus; Tedenby-Carter-Palmieri; Pelley-Mills-Janssen. Rich Chere via twitter: Kovalchuk isn’t practicing today. Defenseman Andy Greene is practicing. Devils coach Peter Deboer said that Kovalchuk won’t play tomorrow unless there is a dramatic recovery overnight.
  • James Mirtle via twitter: Jonas Gustavsson is expected to start tomorrow against the Panthers. Luke Schenn will return to the lineup.

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Afternoon rumor roundup, roster notes and starting goalies

  • Darren Dreger of TSN: Trade discussions are heating up. The Blue Jackets may be the closest to making a big deal. Steve Mason, Jakub Voracek and Rostislav Klesla are believed to be getting some interest. A top center and defenseman are of interest to the Jackets. Dale Tallon and Pierre Gauthier spent some time talking before last night’s game, though Tallon said no groundwork was laid. Ray Emery has drawn interest from 3 teams, with the Ducks and Flyers as 2 of them. Teams could make a move in the next 48 hours.
  • Andy Strickland via True Hockey: The LA Kings and soon to be UFA, Justin Williams, have talked contract extension. Williams may be looking for a multi-year deal in the $4.5 million range, which might be out the Kings range.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Peter Forsberg appeared to have had a rough practice yesterday, and it’s still unknown if his comeback will be successful. Forsberg hopes he can make a decision soon, maybe by the weekend.
  • Allen Panzeri via twitter: Jason Spezza has been practicing on a line with Alfredsson and Foligno and appears to be ready to go for Saturday.
  • Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: It looks like it might be quiet trade deadline for the Minnesota Wild. From GM Chuck Fletcher, “trying to make the playoffs with this group.” There has been no talks of moving any of their potential UFAs. Though he wouldn’t mind giving his team a boost, he won’t mortgage their future. Marek Zidlicky is 2 weeks away from practicing.

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Phaneuf back tonight … Starting goalies … Del Zotto a healthy scratch … Devils put 2 on waivers

  • Ian Mendes via twitter: Brian Elliott will start for the Senators tonight versus the NY Rangers. Ryan Shannon will be a healthy scratch.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Don’t expect any trades by the Maple Leafs today before Burke’s Christmas holiday roster freeze.
  • Andrew Gross via twitter: Michael Del Zotto will be a healthy scratch for the Rangers tonight, Matt Gilroy is in. Henrik Lundqvist will start for the Rangers.
  • Andrew Gross via twitter: Vinny Prospal won’t be back into the lineup until after Christmas. Chris Drury will be re-examined on Sunday.
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: Stephen Gionta and Olivier Magnan put on waivers by the NJ Devils. Calgary’s Ryan Stone clears waivers.

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Green back at practice … Miller and Connolly out tomorrow … Wild claim O’Sullivan … Canes looking for Vet?

  • Katie Carrera via twitter: Mike Green was back at practice today, left in the 3rd period last night. Michal Neuvirth and Tyler Sloan were not at practice.
  • Joe Haggerty via twitter: Haggerty thinks it’s doubtful that the Bruins use one of the two 1st round picks to sweeten a ‘salary dump’ and/or to bring in a player to win now.
  • Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Tyler Seguin skated with Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi on one of the two top lines last night. Claude Julien will likely leave him there for a game or two to see how they work together. Tuuka Rask is 1-5-1 despite have the 5th best save percentage at .935.
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Minnesota Wild have claimed Patrick O’Sullivan off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes.
  • Chip Alexander via twitter: The Hurricanes may not be through making moves, they could be interested in adding a veteran forward.
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: Clearing waivers today are Josh Green (Anaheim), Ryan Carter (Anaheim), and Michael Ryan (Philadelphia). Peter Schaefer was put on waivers by the Vancouver Canucks.

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Starting goalies for tonight and other roster movers

  • Joe Haggerty via twitter: Looks like Tuuka Rask will start for the Boston Bruins against Mike Smith and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
  • Corey Masisak via twitter: Michal Neuvirth will start for the Washington Capitals, Braden Holtby will get a game later this week. Mike Knuble is not with the team, Tom Poti is skating and his status will be updated later.

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Brodeur leaves game after 2nd … 6-10 teams calling Bergeron … Coyotes looking for a goalie? Audio on Kings and Ducks

  • Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Marc-Andre Bergeron could get clearance to return after off-season knee surgery as early as next Tuesday. Bergeron has been contacted by 6-10 teams, no formal offers have been presented. The Sharks continue to look for a defenseman, Devin Setoguchi could be used to bring in a blueliner. The Phoenix Coyotes may look to bring a goaltender as Ilya Bryzgalov could be asking for more money than the Coyotes would like to go. Strickland wonders if the Bruins would move Tuukka Rask for a puck moving defenseman. Tim Thomas has bounced back after a sub-par season. Keith Yandle is not be shopped according to GM Don Maloney. St. Louis Blues defenseman Barret Jackman started skating, but won’t return before next week.
  • Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Martin Brodeur left last night’s game against the Maple Leafs after the 2nd period after re-aggravating his bruised elbow. Brodeur is returning to New Jersey to have it examined by the doctor who operated on his torn tendon 2 years ago. “I just tweaked it again,” Brodeur said. “I wasn’t 100 percent. Somebody came through the crease and he hit me on my stick.” The incident took place with 4:15 remaining in the 2nd, and it was obvious right after that Brodeur was in discomfort. “I’m concerned. I’m not scared of it,” Brodeur said. “One-hundred percent I don’t think it’s something really bad. Maybe I have to sit out and come back when I’m fully healed.” Brodeur hasn’t ruled out joining the team St. Louis for Saturday’s game.
  • Joe Haggerty via twitter: Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien says that Marc Savard is close to practicing with the team, won’t return before December.
  • Dave Stubbs via twitter: 8 teams scouted the Canadiens-Predators last night: Lightning, Wild, Coyotes, Avalanche, Blue Jackets, Canucks, Penguins, and Panthers.
  • John Merrigan of Blueshirt Banter: Chris Drury is getting closer to returning to the Rangers lineup. Todd White should lose his roster spot. Derek Stepan and Erik Christensen are likely lose some ice time after Drury returns.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Kyle Chipchura is not suffering post concussion symptoms anymore, and should be returning soon. Andy Sutton is targeting next week to return from thumb surgery. Joffery Lupul continues to skate. The Ducks will have to make some roster moves, and they are unsure of what they will at the moment. Sheldon Brookbank could be one player they move, he’s been a healthy scratch in favor of Luca Sbisa lately. Nick Bonino and Kyle Palmieri could be returned to the AHL.
  • ESPN 710 Audio: Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period talks “about the Kings’ depth being tested early in the season, and whether or not the streaking Ducks are due for a letdown.” He talks about how the Kings need to add a scoring left winger for the first line.
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: The Toronto Maple Leafs could be loaning prospect Mikhail Stefanovich to Dimamo Minsk of the KHL. They’ve had discussions and Minsk got the OK.
  • NESN video: “Two Minutes for Instigating” Jack Edwards, Mike Milbury, and Andy Brickley. Is there any hope in Florida?

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Rumors from Beantown

  • Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Bruins backup goalie, Tim Thomas, plans on bouncing back from a sub-par season, and thinks he can be a number 1 goalie again. Where he could be the number 1 is the bigger question. Though he has a no-trade clause, he won’t just waive it to anywhere as his family would play an important role. The Bruins would have $6.25 million for both Thomas and Rask, so it’s a good number and would provide them insurance with the 23-year old Rask.
  • James Murphy of NESN: Tim Thomas indicated that he might not mind staying with the Bruins and help ‘finish what they’ve started’ with the current team. He also added this when talking about his no-trade clause, “There’s a lot of other factors in every decision that people make,” he added. “Not just you guys but us guys too. You know I have family, I have kids in school — I have other things to think of. So having that kind of control of a no-trade clause is comforting.”
  • Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: The Bruins and Dennis Seidenberg’s agent have begun contract negotiations last week, and Seidenberg is confident something will get  done. He’s coming off a 1 year, $2.25 million deal, and might be looking for something around $4 million. I’d be surprised if it was that high, maybe in the $3-3.5 range.
  • Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli will make some changes for next season, some younger players will be a given a chance. Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin could be a new addition. 2009 1st round pick Jordan Caron will get a serious look. The Bruins will also use patience with their young guys if they feel they are not quite ready, and could bring back Mark Recchi and Shawn Thornton.

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Extension for Backstrom today? Kicking tires on Miller? yeah right … Time to trade Malkin? Tim Tomas for Brian Campbell?

  • TSN: There is a good chance that Nicklas Backstrom will be signing a long term contract extension with Washington Capitals this morning. The Capitals are only saying, “significant player-related announcement” is coming on Monday.
  • George Malik of MLive: Rob Parker of WDIV’s Sports Final Edition did a terrible job trying to create a rumor involving the Red Wings, saying they will kick tires on acquiring Ryan Miller. Okay Rob. I don’t know what say about this other than; is Rob Parker, Eklund ‘the anonymous hockey blogger’?
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings GM, Ken Holland will begin working towards signing some of their free agents. Tomas Holmstrom is slam dunk to re-sign with the Red Wings, Todd Bertuzzi is a good possibiliy. They also have an interest in re-signing Andreas Lilja at a lower salary from the $1.25 million he made this past season. Don’t count on seeing Jason Williams, Brad May and Brett Lebda back in a Wings uniform next season.
  • Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Rossi thinks the Penguins should look at moving Geno Malkin, and it would have to include a top-line winger, top 2 defenseman, 2 roster players and either 2 prospects or 2 1st round picks. He thinks re-signing Gonchar to anything more than $4 million on a multi-year deal is a risk. Mark Eaton should be re-sign at around $2 million a season. Ben Lovejoy should be re-signed. Rossi also thinks the Penguins should go after Dan Hamhuis, offering a 4 year deal at a cap hit around $3.25 million. I think it would take more the $3.25 million to get Hamhuis
  • Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: Dupont thinks the Bruins and Blackhawks could work on a Brian Campbell – Tim Thomas deal this off-season. Thomas has 3 years and $15 million left on his deal, Campbell has 6 years left with a cap hit of $7.14 million. Mark Recchi will most likely play another season for the Bruins.
  • Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Conroy wonders if the Bruins are able to trade Tim Thomas this off-season, is Rask ready to take the reins without a safety net? If they can deal Thomas, I’m sure they’ll bring in someone to help Rask along, he’s only 23-years old.
  • Adrian Date of the Denver Post: With 12 players locked up for about $28.2 million (cap number), the Colorado Avalanche have the cap room to add some significant pieces. Dater lists 3 possibilities: Ilya Kovalchuk, Dan Hamhuis, and Brian McGrattan.

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Around the Boards: Jeff Carter not going anywhere, Bruins looking for Scorer, Sabres still after Biron?

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The Preds Tabled an Offer for Kessel

The Nashville Predators have reportedly put forth an offer to the Boston Bruins for Phil Kessel. According to NESN.com, the Preds have offered a 1st round pick, the rights to Alexander Radulov, and a top defensive prospect. It’s hard to rate this potential trade considering we don’t know who the defensive prospect is. Obviously if it’s their best defensive prospect, then it’s a better deal than their 2nd or 3rd best prospect. Trading for Radulov is also risky as who knows if/when he’ll be coming back to the NHL, but when he was here, he showed great offensive talents. I’m sure there is a clause in the offer that says Kessel has to sign a contract for the deal to become final. By the sounds of it, Kessel would rather sign in Toronto over Nashville.

The same article says the the Leafs may also throw in a prospect/player to go along with the 2 1sts and 2nd round pick. It’s also mentioned that the Burke might be considering an offer sheet if the Bruins don’t accept an offer this weekend. If an offer sheet was matched, the Bruins would have to move out some salary quickly; Chuck Kobasew, Andrew Ference, and maybe Tuukka Rask (back the minors), would have to be moved out. If an offer sheet was matched, I bet the salary cap implications would be a lot trickier for future years, especially if the cap is going to drop $4-7 million next year.

Minnesota has signed Petr Sykora so they are most likely not interested in trading for Kessel anymore. The NY Rangers are reportedly out as well.

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