Posts Tagged Vancouver Canucks

Morning Hits: Spezza, Quick, Sharks fined, trade options for Miller and a look at the Canucks

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 19th, 2013

  • Bruce Garrioch: With Jason Spezza returning to the Senators lineup today, would have to assume that Guillaume Latendresse will be sitting.
  • Helene Elliott: Kings Jonathan Quick received a game misconduct that the end of last night’s game. He receives an automatic $200 fine and “the case shall be reported to the commissioner, who shall have full power to impose such further penalties by way of suspension or fine.” Because it was for abuse of an official, if a player receives two of them, they can be suspended. It was Quick’s first abuse of an official.
  • Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider: The NHL didn’t like Sharks GM Doug Wilson’s comments regarding the Raffi Torres suspension and have fined the organization $100,000.
  • Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: It sounds like the Sabres would like to keep Tomas Vanek, but he may be looking to get out. The Sabres may be more interested in trading goalie Ryan Miller. The 33-year old Miller is set to make $6 million next year and may not be easy to move with the salary cap going down. Harrington thinks a team that is close to the winning the Cup may be interested in Miller. Could the Ducks be interested? Jonas Hiller has a year left on his deal and was only OK in their first round loss. The Blues might be interested. Brian Elliott lost four straight in the first round, and Jaroslav Halak may not be getting along with coach Ken Hitchcock. Sabres GM Darcy Regier is unlikely to move Miller to an Eastern Conference team, so that would eliminate the Capitals and perhaps the Penguins. If a non-Cup contending team is interest, maybe the Avalanche. Miller would be an improvement over Semyon Varlamov and JS Giguere.
  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: The Canucks are already over next year’s salary cap with 17 players under contract. Trading Roberto Luongo and buying out Keith Ballard would free up $9.5 million. They would have to be cautious free agent spenders. They probably can’t afford Ryane Clowe, Nathan Horton or David Clarkson. They may have to look at cheaper options like Guillaume Latendresse, Raffi Torres, Eric Nystrom and Bryan Bickell. There isn’t much help from within the organization coming up. Six current Canucks have no-trade clauses, and another three kick in on July 1st: Alex Burrows, Chris Higgins and Alex Edler. Edler may be used as a trade chip. Would the Flyers deal Sean Couturier for Edler? Could the Canucks get a package including Justin Abdelkader from the Red Wings or Jamie McGinn is a deal with the Avalanche.

    “In order to get players to play for less than market value, you have to give them something they can rely upon,” Gillis explained. “I think if a player was unhappy here, he’d waive his no-trade. If we were unhappy with him, it would be obvious and he would waive his no-trade. But that’s not a path we’re looking to right now. I think we need to supplement our core group of players that are here as best we can, and then look at possibilities down the road.”

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Morning Hits: Canucks playing catch-up, Devils want Zidlicky back, Avs wait on coach’s and Pens lines

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 17th, 2013

  • Craig Custance of ESPN: Player size is gaining more importance to teams, and some teams have to catch-up with the trend.

    “When I took this job, we decided on a style of play that resulted in great success. Clearly the landscape has changed, and we have to address those changes moving forward,” said Canucks GM Mike Gillis during his season-ending press conference. “It’s quite clear the league is going in a direction that we have to recognize and adapt to. It doesn’t just happen in one playoff series.”

    “You can’t have all big guys; you can’t win with all small guys,” he said. “Character comes into play. I don’t care how big you are, if you have no character you’re not going to succeed.”

  • Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is still completing his interviews and evaluatation process.

    Lamoriello said “everything is open” as far as bringing back unsigned players “no decisions have been made on anything.”

    Defenseman Marek Zidlicky will be a UFA and the Devils would like to have him back.

    “We’d certainly like to have him back,” Lamoriello said.

  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: It’s not looking like the Avalanche will have a new head coach any time soon. The Avs may wait and see what happens with Coyotes coach Dave Tippett, whose contract expires June 30th. Lindy Ruff could also be an option. Sakic may not want to hire someone straight from Junior, so Patrick Roy could be out.
  • Shelly Anderson: Penguins lines at practice yesterday: Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis, Neal-Malkin-Iginla, Morrow-Sutter-Cooke, Adams-Vitale-Kennedy, Bennett-Jokinen-Glass (Jeffrey)

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Morning hits: Stars, Ducks Canucks, Price, Kaberle, Blues, Coyotes bid rejected, Dion’s days numbered?

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 14th, 2013

  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson laughing at a fan site suggesting a Loui Eriksson trade to the Islanders for Ryan Strome and Michael Grabner, and with Islanders fans saying they wouldn’t trade either straight up for Eriksson. Matheson does note that Eriksson could be in play for a front-line center. The Stars also have some defenseman that could be on the move.

    The Stars have lots of young defencemen looking for regular work — Jamie Oleksiak, Joe Morrow and Kevin Connauton — which makes trading Trevor Daley or Alex Goligoski certainly plausible.

    Matheson wonders if the Ducks would take a run at Stephen Weiss.

    Matheson thinks with the Canucks at $63.5 million for 16 players for next season, will use their buyouts on David Booth and Keith Ballard. Both have two years left at $4.2 million cap hits. Mason Raymond is likely gone as a UFA.

  • Dave Stubbs: Addressing a Canadiens Carey Price rurmor: “Price asking for a trade would need to travel a million miles just to reach ludicrous.”
  • John Lu: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said a decision on a compliance buyout for Tomas Kaberle hasn’t been made yet.
  • Jeremy Rutherford: Blues playoff issue. Rutherford knew fans who didn’t buy tickets as they didn’t know when the games were starting soon enough. The Blues didn’t sell out three playoff home games.
  • Norm Sanders of the News-Democrat: (h/t Pro Hockey Talk) Blues GM Doug Armstrong on their need for more scoring.

    “This is a public cry that for any GMs that have 50-goal scorers that they want to send to St. Louis, give me a call,” he joked. “This doesn’t happen, you have to deal in reality. The reality is with free agency the way it is now, teams tie up those elusive top-end goal scorers.

    “They draft them. (Evgeni) Malkin, (Sidney) Crosby, (John) Tavares, (Steven) Stamkos were drafted by those teams.”

    The Blues will send qualifying offers to all of their free agents.

    “We’re going to negotiate to try to sign every player that’s a restricted free agent,” he said. “Ownership understands that the window is open now and we have to take care of our own. I don’t see this being a huge free-agency off-season for us. I see it more as taking care of our own business — and then seeing if we want to rearrange some of the chairs via trade.

  • Scott Burnside of ESPN: The NHL has rejected California investment banker Darin Pastor’s bid to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.

    “We have rejected the offer. It didn’t include the elements we had previously discussed were necessary to warrant serious consideration,” Daly said in an email Monday night.

    It was rumored that he was willing to pay upwards of $277 million with $42 million in cash at closing, though that seems unlikely as it would be hard for the NHL to walk away from that.

  • David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: (h/t Lyle Richardson in the Hockey News) Shoalts piece was written last Thursday after Dion Phaneuf’s pinch that cost the Leafs the game. Shoalts thinks that Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis should move to Plan B and “The plan should include quietly putting Phaneuf on the trade market no later than the NHL draft at the end of June. Nonis will not hit a home run with a trade, nor should he expect to thanks to Phaneuf’s erratic play.” A deal would may only get a modest return, but Nonis should accept it. Phaneuf has a year left with a $6.5 salary cap hit and may not take a pay cut from the Leafs.
  • Tim Wharnsby of CBC: h/t Lyle Richardson in the Hockey News) Wharnsby’s piece was written last Thursday. Wharnsby wonders if Dion Phaneuf’s days in Toronto are numbered. He continues to make the same mistakes he made as a rookie in 2005. Nonis may have to make a decision by draft. The Leafs have organizational depth on the blue line. Nonis would have to feel that Jake Gardiner is ready for a bigger role. Cody Franson may be ready for a bigger role.
  • James Mirtle: On Phaneuf: Mirtle would be surprised if the Maple Leafs didn’t re-sign him.
  • John Lu: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin on order of positions that mature the fastest: wingers, centers, defensemen and goalies.

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Morning Hits: Burish, Bolland, Emery, Rinne, Danis and the Canucks

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 10th, 2013

  • Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: Sharks winger Adam Burish will miss the second round with an upper-body injury. Burish was slashed on the hand by Alex Edler in Game 4.
  • Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks Dave Bolland is hopeful for round two.

    “I’m still day-by-day,” Bolland said. “It’s getting better. I just want to make sure it’s strong. I’m hopefully playing for that Round 2. I’ll keep on working at it and making sure it gets better.”

    Ray Emery is also close to returning.

  • Josh Cooper: Predators GM David Poile said it would be a “steep price” to trade for their fourth overall pick in the draft.
  • Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators Pekka Rinne underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left hip, recovery time is expected to be four months.
  • David Staples: Goalie Yann Danis has been solid for the Oilers AHL team, but is not the ideal NHL backup. Staples would rather see the Oilers trade or sign a goalie who could challenge Devan Dubnyk.
  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks GM Mike Gillis talked to the media and how the Canucks may need to get bigger and grittier.

    “From my perspective … it’s been a terrible season for us,” Gillis said. “We’re going to have to reinvent ourselves and do things differently in order to be successful. The macro look at this team is that changes have to be made.”

    With the cap going down and some big contracts on the books, they’ll need to clear out some salary. Roberto Luongo will likely be traded and there is the amnesty buyout option for Keith Ballard ($4.2 million) and David Booth ($4.25 million).

    “We don’t have the luxury of having picked first overall in the last 10 years,” Gillis said. “We have to use the players we have, the core group that we have, and we have to build around them. There will come a point where that core group is going to be dismantled or will no longer play, but it’s not today.

    “When I took this job, we decided on a style of play that resulted in great success. And clearly, the landscape has changed and we have to address those changes. We don’t have a choice. It’s not something I necessarily agree with. But that’s what we face, and that’s what you have to do.

    “We have to make the changes and adjustments necessary to compete for a Stanley Cup. It’s my intention to do it and recognize what’s going on and make sure we have a team that’s better equipped.”

    “Changes have to be made, but I’m not going to commit today to what those changes will be,” Gillis said. “It’s difficult when things end so quickly and they end so negatively for all of us. It’s pretty emotional to go through.”

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Morning Hits: Vokoun, Fraser, Gionta, Canadiens injuries, Canucks offseason questions and Blue Jackets free agents

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 9th, 2013

  • Pittsburgh Penguins: Coach Dan Bylsma on starting Tomas Vokoun: “We brought Tomas Vokoun in to play big games for us…He’s done that for us & he’s been very good vs. the #Isles.”
  • James Mirtle: Maple Leafs Mark Fraser was taken to the hospital to check for any broken bones after taking a shot off his face.
  • Renaud Lavoie: Canadiens Brian Gionta will have surgery on Friday for a torn left bicep. He hopes to be ready for training camp.
  • Renaud Lavoie: Brandon Prust and Ryan White are out tonight. Carey Price is day-to-day.
  • Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Ziemer’s thoughts on the Canucks coaching staff.

    The jobs of head coach Alain Vigneault and his staff are most certainly on the line and general manager Mike Gillis is going to face some uncomfortable questions from ownership over the team’s second straight playoff collapse.

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Canucks have the highest payroll going into next season, but trading Roberto Luongo or an amnesty buyout of Keith Ballard($4.2 million for two years) will help them get down below the new cap of $64.3 million. Five questions for the Canucks this offseason are:

    • Do the Canucks have a bona fide No. 1 goalie in Schneider moving forward?
    • Should this team still be built around the Sedins?
    • Will Ryan Kesler ever be injury-free?
    • Does this team have the right supporting cast to still contend?
    • Is it time to retool, rebuild or be patient for one more run with this core?

  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen on contract talks with their free agents, including goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

    “We’re working on them. It’s a work in progress on all fronts. Everything has been started, everything is in progress. We’re waiting to hear back from a few agents. Obviously, Bobrovsky is a high priority for us. I told him in the (exit) meetings that everybody talks about his great play, and sure it was remarkable. But I’m even more impressed with his work ethic, how he prepares for the game and every practice, how he takes care of recovery after every game, the routine he goes through every day. That’s what I’m most impressed about Bobrovsky. He sets the bar high for the rest of the guys. I don’t think anybody’s going to argue with me if we says he’s the MVP of our team this year. If he sets the bar that high with the way he works everyday, it’s going to be hard for anybody else in that room to say, well, I’m not going to do this or that today. That’s what I think it’s all about, your best players being your hardest working players. And that’s what we have in Bob.”

    On Bobrovsky’s contract talks …

    “It’s going to take its course, and it’s going to take its time. Some (deals) are quicker than others. We’ll have to stay more patient with some than others. I don’t anticipate any problems. It’s going to be a negotiation. His agent, his representatives are professionals. They have their thought process and we have ours. I’m sure we’re going to reach a result here in the near future.”

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Morning Hits: MacDonald, Price, Vokoun, Predators and Canucks

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 8th, 2013

  • Arthur Staple: Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald suffered a broken hand and is likely done for the playoffs.
  • Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette: Carey Price suffered a lower-body injury, possibly a hamstring or groin at the end of regulation and was replaced by Peter Budajfor overtime.

    “When your starting goalie goes down … it’s tough to lose him and it’s tough on the guy who has to come in,” Gorges said. “He’s been sitting there for two-and-a-half hours and we expect him to go in there and be stellar. It’s a tough position to be in, and it’s unfortunate it unfolded that way.

    “Plays get thrown to the front of the net,” he added of the scramble that produced the winning goal, “and a lot of times it’s a 50-50 puck. We have to be stronger.”

  • Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Kovacevic is one of many who is calling for Tomas Vokoun to be the Penguins starter for Game 5. Marc-Andre Fleuryhas allowed 14 goals on 102 shots, and 40 goals in his last 10 playoff games. Coach Dan Bylsma:

    “Certainly, Tomas Vokoun is a guy that can step in and play and has had success and won hockey games against this team, was successful this year. We’re going to come out for Game 5 with a refocus.”

    “One of the reasons we wanted Tomas Vokoun was to play hockey games and win hockey games for us. Marc-Andre Fleury is our starting goaltender and started this series and won us some hockey games, made a lot of saves for us … but we’re not going to talk about our starting goaltender for Game 5.”

  • Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: The Predators are currently $18 million under next year’s salary cap. Cooper lists four players who could be good options for the Predators: Stephen Weiss,  Nathan Horton, Sergei Gonchar and Derek Roy.
  • Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province: Gallagher mentions some possible moves that the Canucks could look at, with some being a little radical. Trade Alex Edler to a team like the Flyers. The Flyers have some young forwards that they might consider moving for someone like Edler. Could they look at moving Ryan Kesler or Dan Hamhuis? Though both have a no-trade clause. Alex Burrows’ no-trade clause doesn’t kick in until July 1st. They could trade Roberto Luongo for whatever you can get for him, which may not be a lot. Cory Schneider would bring more return. The Sedin’s are heading into the last year of their deals.

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Morning Hits: New Canucks lines … Hurricanes to spend, could they trade Skinner? Flyers goalies worn and beaten down

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 3rd, 2013

  • Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: The Canucks have moved Ryan Kesler from center to right wing with Derek Roy and Chris Higgins. Max Lapierre centered Mason Raymond and Jannik Hansen on the third line. Zack Kassian moved to a line with Andrew Ebbett and Dale Weise. 2012 1st round pick Brendan Gaunce will be practicing with the team.
  • Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer: The Hurricanes will be spending closer to the $64.3 salary cap next season, something that hasn’t happened in awhile.

    “We have been a budget team for a long time,” Rutherford acknowledged. “But we are now at the point where we’re going to be a lot closer to the cap than not. We’ll probably be at about $60, $61 million next year. Now we’re getting into that area. We know we had to do that with the change of divisions.”

    The Hurricanes spent $57 million this past season, and sit at $56 million already for next year. If they move out Drayson Bowman, Justin Peters and Jamie McBain, it could clear out $2.9 million.

    DeCock wonders if the Hurricanes should explore trading Jeff Skinner, but only if it brings back a “defenseman of comparable quality. He has defensive issues, a history of concussions and his contract goes up to $5.75 million next season.

  • Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Flyers Ilya Bryzgalov said he wore down this season. At one point in he started 31 of 32 games, including 22 in a row. Steve Mason is happy with a fresh start in Philly.

    “The last three years in Columbus beat me down, mentally, more than anything else,” he said in a phone interview the other day. “There were a lot of expectations we couldn’t meet, and you work hard to get them, and we couldn’t get results.

    “I left the baggage there and got a fresh start.”

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Injury Notes: Eller, Crosby, DeKeyser, Franzen, Schneider, Emery, Bolland, Kostka, Kessel and Franson

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on May 3rd, 2013

  • Ton Marinaro: The Canadiens confirmed that Lars Eller suffered a concussion, lost consciousness, and has facial and dental fractures. He will remain in the hospital for observation.
  • Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune: Penguins Sidney Crosby took regular shifts with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis yesterday at practice. He also worked with the top power play unit.
  • Ansar Khan: Red Wings Danny DeKeyser broke his hand last night and will be out for the remainder of the playoffs.
  • Ansar Khan: Red Wings Johan Franzen said he had to pass a concussion test, which he did, before overtime started last night. He was ready to return when Gustav Nyquist scored.
  • Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: Cancucks Cory Schneider didn’t take part in the teams full team practice yesterday, meaning that Roberto Luongo will get the start in Game 2. It appears that Schneider may have suffered a setback. His injury is still not known. Pap wonders if it’s a groin injury. Before yesterday he had skated in four consecutive days and practiced the previous three.

    “You can interpret what you want at this time,” Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault stated cryptically. “Cory is day-to-day.”

  • Brian Hunter of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks goalie Ray Emery briefly worked out yesterday, but he won’t be available for Game 2. Dave Bollanddidn’t skate yesterday won’t be available either.

    “We’re going to rule them out,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said after practice. “Bollie didn’t skate but he’s getting real close to getting on the ice. (Emery) felt good, too. It was good progress.”

  • Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs defenseman Mike Kostka will miss the remainder of the series with a broken finger. Jake Gardiner or Ryan O’Bryne will replace Kostka. Phil Kessel had a maintenance day for a suspected left wrist injury. Defenseman Cody Franson was limping around with a bruised foot.

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Roster Notes and Lines: Crosby, Luongo, Horton, Penguins, Canadiens and Senators

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on May 1st, 2013

  • Josh Yohe: Sidney Crosby is officially out for tonight.  Bob McKenzie: Crosby is close to returning. He’ll be a “game-time decision” until he returns.
  • Randy Sportak: Roberto Luongo will start in net for the Canucks.
  • James Mirtle: Bruins Nathan Horton is a game-time decision.
  • Shelly Anderson: Penguins lines: Kunitz-Malkin-Neal Iginla-Jussi-Dupuis Morrow-Sutter-Cooke Glass-Adams-Bennett Jeffrey/Vitale-Crosby-Kennedy.
  • Bruce Garrioch: Canadiens lines: Ryder-Plekanec-Gionta; Pacioretty-Desharnais-Bourque; Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher and Moen-White-Prust and Weber-Halpern-Armstrong. John Lu: Defensive pairings: Markov – Subban Gorges – Diaz Bouillon – Tinordi Kaberle – Drewiske
  • Don Brennan: Senators lines: Michalek-Turris-Alfredsson, Latendresse-Michalek-Silfverberg, Conacher-Pageau-Condra, Greening-Smith-Neil. Defensive pairings: Methot-Karlsson, Cowen-Gonchar, Phillips-Gryba

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Roster Notes: Blues, Wild, Leafs, Canucks, Rangers, Penguins, Bruins, Capitals, Canadiens, and Ducks

Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Starting Goalies on April 30th, 2013

  • Jeremy Rutherford: Blues T.J. Oshie was skating with Patrik Berglund and David Perron this morning.
  • Michael Russo: Wild’s Jason Pominville has been ruled out of Game 1.
  • Chris Johnston: Maple Leafs Tyler Bozak said he’ll play in Game 1 against the Bruins. Mark Masters: Bozak isn’t sure if he’ll be able to take face-offs.
  • Farhan Lalji: Canucks Cory Schneider said he’s ready to go and will let the coaches know when they have their meeting today.
  • Dan Rosen: Rangers Ryane Clowe (undisclosed) and Brian Boyle (knee) didn’t practice today. Derek Dorsett (broken clavicle) is still wearing a non-contact jersey. Defenseman Marc Staal practiced again, but there is no timetable.
  • Mark Masters: Maple Leafs Tyler Bozak skated between James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel today. Other lines: Komarov-McClement-Orr … McLaren now skating with extras Hamilton & Colborne, Lupul with Grabovski-Kulemin for the 1st time … Frattin reunited with good buddy Kadri & MacArthur
  • Dan Rosen: Rangers lines: Nash-Richards-Zuccarello; Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan; Kreider-Brassard-Pyatt; Powe-Newbury-Asham.
  • Will DePaoli: Penguins lines: Kunitz – Malkin – Neal, Dupuis – Jokinen – Iginla, Morrow – Sutter – Cooke, Glass – Adams – Kennedy/Bennett.
  • Boston Bruins:  Bruins lines:  Lucic-Krejci-Horton/gold: Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin/grey: Daugavins-Kelly-Jagr/merlot: Paille-Campbell-Thornton.
  • Ken Wiebe: Capitals lines: Ovechkin, Backstrom+Johansson, Brouwer, Ribeiro+Erat, Fehr, Perreault+Chimera and Volpatti, Hendricks, Beagle. Defensive pairings: Green and Alzner, Carlson and Erskine and Oleksy and Hillen. Ward and Wolski the extra F’s, Poti and Schultz the extra D.
  • John Lu: Canadiens lines: Ryder – Plekanec – Gionta Pacioretty – Desharnais – Bourque Galchenyuk/Eller/Gallagher Moen/White/Prust Armstrong/Halpern/Weber.
  • Jim Jamieson: Canucks lines: Sedins-Burrows; Higgins-Kesler-Kassian; Raymond-Roy-Hansen; Ebbett-Lapierre-Weise. Defensive pairings: Hamhuis-Garrison; Edler-Bieksa; Alberts-Corrado; Ballard-Barker.
  • Craig Custance: Jonas Hiller will start Game 1 for the Ducks against the Red Wings.

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Quick Hits: Avalanche, Stars, Red Wings and Schneider

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on April 29th, 2013

  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche have fired coach Joe Sacco after missing the playoffs in each of the last three seasons.

    “The organization believes a change of leadership behind the bench is needed going forward,” Greg Sherman, Avs general manager, said in a release.

    “Joe has worked for this franchise for eight seasons and he is a dedicated and hard-working coach. We appreciate all he has done and wish him the best in the future.”

  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi has confirmed that Jim Nill will be the Stars next GM after Joe Nieuwendykwas let go.

    “I had a list of candidates and when it became clear that Jim Nill would be interested in leaving Detroit and coming here, I threw the list away,” Gaglardi said. “I think he is without a doubt he best candidate to take his job.”

  • Renaud Lavoie: Lavoie has been told that Glen Gulutzan won’t be the Stars coach next season.
  • George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said the players that got them into the playoffs, will play in Game 1. So it’s unlikely that Todd Bertuzzi and Mikael Samuelsson will start the series.

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Morning Hits: Nill, Nieuwendyk, Malone, Flames, Neuvirth, Ducks, Luongo, Jets and Sabres

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on April 28th, 2013

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Sources saying that Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill will replace GM Joe Nieuwendyk in Dallas. Andy Strickland: Confirms reports that Nill will replace Nieuwendyk.
  • Erik Erlendsson: Erlendsson doesn’t see the Lightning buying out Ryan Malone or Teddy Purcell. Trading Malone is a possibility.
  • The Fourth Period: It’s thought that the Flames were close to trading Cory Sarich at the deadline. Teams also called about Lee Stempniak, Curtis Glencross and Alex Tanguay. GM Jay Feaster has indicated that he isn’t really interested in trading Glencross. If Miikka Kiprusoff retires, the Flames will be on the lookout for a new No.1 goalie.
  • Mike Vogl: The Capitals signed Michal Neuvirth to a 2-year, $5 million extension. He’ll earn $2.4 million next year, and $2.6 million the following year.
  • Eric Stephens: Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau won’t name is starting goalie for Game 1, but added that he’s known who it will be for awhile.
  • Andi Petrilli: (Canucks lose 7-2, 6 goals in the third) Canucks Roberto Luongo was off the ice, undressed, showered and out of the arena in 12 minutes. Jason Botchford: “I’m not sure how furious Luongo is. He should be used to getting hung out there and embarrassed by now.”
  • Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: The Jets have nine RFAs, including: Zach Bogosian, Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. Wiebe thinks they should lock up Bogosian to a max-length eight year deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $48 to 50 million.

    “You never know. It’s a negotiation. It’s not something that usually happens overnight. “I don’t really know what I’m expecting as far as how smooth or how not smooth it’s going to go,” said Bogosian. “Yeah, I’ve really kind of settled in here and I’ve enjoyed my time. Whether it’s two years, eight years or 10 years, I’m going to enjoy playing here.

    “I’m looking forward to that next step. I want to be part of the solution moving forward, as far as getting in the playoffs and winning a championship.”

    Wheeler will be looking for a raise from his $2.55 million, and could get a long-term deal.

    Little should get a multi-year deal for more than the $3 million he was making.

    Alex Burmistrov is an interesting case, as some think he could bolt for the KHL or could use a fresh start with a new organization.

  • Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Sabres Thomas Vanek has thought that Friday’s game could have been his last in a Sabres uniform.

    “Let’s be honest,” Vanek said. “I’m not stupid. I know I have a year left and they can probably deal me for prospects, young guys, whatever else is out there. Yeah, I’ve thought about it. If it looks like it’s a long rebuild, then it probably makes sense for both parties to move on.”

    “I don’t know what the plan is,” Vanek said. “If they’re turning it over to the younger guys, it’s a turnover. Or are they going to build around us again? It’s all speculation at this point because you guys don’t know and I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

    Sabres Ryan Miller also realizes that his days could be number.

    “Around this stage of a contract, you have to be realistic,” Miller said. “In the last year of your deal, if you’re not part of the plan, you become an asset that’s tradable. So I’m just trying to stay open to coming back and trying to stay excited about playing hockey games in the NHL if it’s not going to work out.”

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