Posts Tagged Vancouver Canucks
Flames cut ties with Sutter, Lowery … Stars interested in Parise and a Dman … Some Ducks won’t be back … Brodeur wants to play next year …Bitz gets 2 games
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Suspensions, NHL Videos on April 13th, 2012
- Vicki Hall of hte Calgary Herald: The Calgary Flames have mutually parted ways with head coach Brent Sutter yesterday. Assistant coach Dave Lowry will not have his contract renewed. Sutter,“After discussions with Jay since the season ended, it was in the best interest of the organization and myself to part ways. I wish the Calgary Flames all the best.”
- Ian Busby of QMI Agency: Busby names some possible targets for the Flames next head coach. 1. Troy Ward (head coach of Abbotsford, AHL) 2. Bob Boughner (head coach Windsor, OHL) 3. Bob Hartley (head coach ZSC, Switzerland) 4. Craig MacTavish (head coach Chicago, AHL) 5. Mike Sullivan (assistant coach, NY Rangers).
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: (Mailbag) If the Stars are able to land a Zach Parise, they may have to unload some contracts, and Brenden Morrow and Steve Ott could be the guys. Other teams will have interest in Morrow and Ott. Richard Bachman will have to battle Jack Campbell for the backup roll next season. Campbell may be better with 1 more year of development. Heika thinks they could land Parise and make a trade for a defenseman. They might have to wait for a new CBA before they make a move on a defenseman.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Ducks Corey Perry, Jonas Hiller, Cam Fowler and Luca Sbisa aren’t going anywhere. Ryan Getzlaf is entering a contract year and would be hard to replace. Bobby Ryan could be used to improve defense and depth. The Ducks have 8 unrestricted free agents, and hope to re-sign Saku Koivu. Jason Blake, Niklas Hagman and Dan Ellis are as good as gone. Center Rod Pelley may not be re-signed either. They will have decisions to make on George Parros and Sheldon Brookbank.
- Adam Jahns via twitter: Coyotes Radim Vrbata is day-to-day with an injury.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: Predators defenseman Hal Gill didn’t practice yesterday and is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Canadiens have called the Red Wings about Jim Nill for their vacant GM position. In the past the Red Wings have said no to any team calling about him. The L.A .Times reported on Wednesday that the Canadiens are interested in Kings assistant GM Ron Hextall and Kings executive Luc Robitaille. The Canadiens have also inquired about Blackhawks assistant GM Marc Bergevin, Lightning assistant GM Julien BriseBois and Maple Leafs assistant GM Claude Loiselle.
- Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Odds are Martin Brodeur will be back with the Devils next year.“I don’t know what the future will bring me. I want to play more, but a lot of circumstances could happen that I won’t,” he said. “So I’m looking forward to this.”
“I’m not 100 percent sure about next year because I don’t have a contract and I’m not negotiating or anything,” Brodeur said. “We’ll see what the future brings after these playoffs. But this season definitely answered a lot of questions in the way I’m able to perform and my willingness to do it every day. That was one of the things that was worrying me a little bit.
“You need to want to come to the rink. You need to want to travel. I’ve been doing it for a long time and I really regained that desire this season. That’s why I didn’t want to lean one way or the other for the longest time. Just because I wanted to see if I was up for the grind.”
- Canucks Byron Bitz suspended for 2 games.
Weber fined … Helm out … Neil returns … Pens lines … Elliott skates … Leafs and goalies … Morrow’s future … Bitz has hearing
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Videos on April 12th, 2012
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators Shea Weber was fined $2,500 for hitting Henrik Zetterberg’s head into the glass.
- Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Red Wings forward Darren Helm had surgery to repair lacerated tendons in his right forearm and will be out from the remainder of the playoffs.
- Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Senators Chris Neil will return to the lineup. Matt Gilroy is also in.
- Shelly Anderson via twitter: Penguins lines: Kunitz-Malkin-Neal, Sullivan-Crosby-Dupuis, Cooke-Staal-Kennedy, Asham-Vitale-Adams.
- Joe Haggerty via twitter: Anton Khudobin will backup Tim Thomas tonight.
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Blues goalie Brian Elliott took part in their morning skate.
- Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Leafs GM Brian Burke said he wouldn’t move his 1st round pick to bring a goalie like Jonathan Bernier or Anders Lindback. Zeisberger wonders if the Blues would give up one of Brian Elliott or Jaroslav Halak. Even if the Canucks wanted to trade Roberto Luongo, the Canucks “organization despises the Leafs.”
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Brenden Morrow’s future with the Stars is up in the air, and he has be hearing criticism from from fans.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s really tough to hear,” said Morrow of speculation that the team might be better if it moved forward without him. “But at the same time, I saw it with franchise players, good friends. If it happened to Mike Modano, it can happen to anyone.
“I don’t like it; I’m uncomfortable with it. I want us to win, I want us to be better, but I also understand this is a business and some of the things are out of my control. So what I can control is to get myself as healthy as I can and work as hard as I can and hope I perform as well as I can.
“I’d love to be a part of the solution next year, and hopefully management agrees.”
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Canucks Byron Bitz’s disciplinary hearing is at 3:30 EST.
Elliott day-to-day … Zibanejad to AHL … Rangers-Kreider talking … Brian Burke press conference
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Trades on April 10th, 2012
- Sean Gentille of the Sporting News: Blues goalie Brian Elliott is now day-to-day with an upper-body injury suffered in practice. He should be available for Game 1. It increases the odds of Jaroslav Halak starting.
- Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Senators Mika Zibanejad won’t play in their first 2 games. He’ll go to the AHL for the weekend.
- Katie Strang of ESPN: The Rangers and Chris Kreider are in contract discussions. It’s believed that Kreider will forego his senior year at Boston College and go pro. If he signs, the Rangers may send him to the AHL. ** Update: Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Rangers and Kreider have agreed on an entry level contract.
- Dan Murphy via twitter: Canucks lines: Raymond-Henrik-Burrows Lapierre-Kesler-Booth Higgins-Pahlsson-Hansen Malhotra-Bitz-Kassian.
- Adam Kimelman via twitter: Flyers defensive pairs: Coburn-Grossmann, Carle-Timonen, Bourdon-Lilja. Kubina skating as the extra blueliner
- David Alter via twitter: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke said they need to get bigger, and a top priority is goaltending. Scott MacArthur via twitter: Burke still believes in James Reimer, and basically shuts down on Jonas Gustavsson returning. James Mirtle via twitter: Burke said he won’t trade their first round draft pick for a goaltender. James Mirtle via twitter: Burke isn’t really interested in what’s available in free agency and will address team issues via trades. Center and goal are biggest needs.
- Brian Burke full press conference
2011-12 NHL Attendence for each team: Final numbers
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on April 9th, 2012
Here are the final home attendance numbers for the 2011-12 season. The Winter Classic attendance is included in Philadlephia’s numbers, hence the high “% Capacity” number.
15 teams had 100% capacity or more. 20 teams had over 96% capacity. The Phoenix Coyotes had only a 72.5% capacity this season, which is an increase for them compared to the last 2 seasons.
| RK | TEAM |
2011-12
AVG |
%
Capacity |
2010-11
AVG |
2009-10
AVG |
2008-09
AVG |
| 1 | Chicago |
21,533
|
105
|
21,423
|
21,356
|
22,247
|
| 2 | Montreal |
21,273
|
100
|
21,273
|
21,273
|
21,273
|
| 3 | Philadelphia |
20,433
|
107.4
|
21,273
|
19,535
|
19,545
|
| 4 | Detroit |
20,114
|
100.7
|
19,680
|
19,546
|
19,865
|
| 5 | Toronto |
19,506
|
103.7
|
19,354
|
19,289
|
19,312
|
| 6 | Ottawa |
19,356
|
101.1
|
19,289
|
19,260
|
18,949
|
| 7 | Calgary |
19,289
|
100
|
18,378
|
18,269
|
19,289
|
| 8 | Vancouver |
18,884
|
102.5
|
18,860
|
18,810
|
18,630
|
| 9 | St. Louis |
18,809
|
98.2
|
19,150
|
18,883
|
18,554
|
| 10 | Pittsburgh |
18,566
|
102.7
|
18,240
|
17,078
|
16,975
|
| 11 | Buffalo |
18,550
|
99.9
|
18,452
|
18,529
|
18,531
|
| 12 | Washington |
18,506
|
101.3
|
18,397
|
18,277
|
18,097
|
| 13 | Tampa Bay |
18,468
|
96.2
|
17,268
|
15,497
|
16,497
|
| 14 | NY Rangers |
18,191
|
100
|
18,108
|
18,076
|
18,949
|
| 15 | Los Angeles |
17,920
|
100
|
18,083
|
17,313
|
16,488
|
| 16 | Minnesota |
17,772
|
98.4
|
17,565
|
17,388
|
17,039
|
| 17 | Boston |
17,564
|
100
|
17,562
|
17,558
|
17,039
|
| 18 | San Jose |
17,562
|
100
|
18,012
|
18,415
|
17,488
|
| 19 | Edmonton |
16,839
|
100
|
16,839
|
16,839
|
16,839
|
| 20 | Nashville |
16,690
|
97.5
|
16,142
|
14,979
|
15,010
|
| 21 | Florida |
16,628
|
86.6
|
15,685
|
15,146
|
15,621
|
| 22 | Carolina |
16,042
|
85.9
|
14,820
|
13,947
|
16,572
|
| 23 | Colorado |
15,498
|
86.1
|
14,775
|
15,535
|
15,429
|
| 24 | New Jersey |
15,396
|
87.4
|
16,415
|
15,240
|
15,790
|
| 25 | Winnipeg |
15,004
|
100
|
13,469
|
13,607
|
14,626
|
| 26 | Anaheim |
14,760
|
86.4
|
14,738
|
15,168
|
16,990
|
| 27 | Columbus |
14,660
|
80.8
|
13,658
|
15,416
|
15,543
|
| 28 | Dallas |
14,226
|
76.8
|
11,059
|
12,735
|
17,680
|
| 29 | NY Islanders |
13,191
|
81.3
|
15,073
|
17,215
|
13,733
|
| 30 | Phoenix |
12,420
|
72.5
|
12,188
|
11,989
|
14,875
|
| Prior years attendance for Winnipeg are AtlantaÕs attendance numbers. | ||||||
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
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: The Stars may make a push for Zach Parise and/or Ryan Suter. They will have to evaluate Sheldon Souray and Radek Dvorak.
- Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch: Rick Nash may have played his last game in a Blue Jackets jersey as he left last night’s game with an undisclosed injury.
- 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.
Morning notes on: Toews, Bolland, Brunette, Kassian, Sedin, Ballard, Jets, Blues ownership and Schneider starts
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on April 5th, 2012
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Blackhawks Jonathan Toews hasn’t been ruled out for Saturday.
“There’s still signs of the concussion lingering and, when that’s completely gone, I’ll be comfortable playing,” said Toews.
Dave Bolland is day-to-day with a n upper-body injury. Andrew Brunette (foot) is questionable for tonight.
- Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks Zach Kassian is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Byron Bitz has been recalled. Coach Vigneault when asked if Daniel Sedin has begun light skating,
“He’s following the protocol. . .there’s nothing to report there. That’s where we are.”
GM Mike Gillis has said he hopes Daniel is ready for the playoffs. Keith Ballard travelled with the team but won’t play tonight. Kevin Bieksa has missed the last 4 games.
- Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press: The Jets need to find a #1 center either through a draft and develop or through free agency. Brian Little, Alex Burmistrov and Kyle Wellwood have been used in the top 6, but are not top-line centers. Top draft pick Mark Scheifele still needs to grow physically and learn to against men.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Minority owner of the Blues, Tom Stillman, is still working on finalizing a deal to buy the team. No closing date is set. One area that hasn’t been settled with the NHL yet is who guarantees/funds the losses.
- Dan Murphy via twitter: Cory Schneider will start in net for the Canucks against the Flames.
Price has headaches, concussion? Hall to have surgery today … Myers out … Wisniewski to return … Quincey suspendion video
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Starting Goalies, NHL Suspensions, NHL Videos on April 3rd, 2012
- Mike Boone of Hockey Inside/Out: Radio-Canada is reporting that Canadiens goalie Carey Price has a concussion, but as of last night the Canadiens were disputing that. The Canadiens say that he is having headaches, but hasn’t been diagnosed with a concussion just yet. He’ll go through some tests this week to see what is causing the headaches. Price collided with a teammate Thursday morning and hasn’t felt the same since. It is possible that his season could be over. A Radi0-Canada reporter apparently overhead the Canadiens doctor on his cell phone talking to their head athletic therapist.
- Taylor Hall via twitter: Oilers forward Taylor Hall arrived in Cleveland yesterday and will have surgery today.
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers is out tonight, but hasn’t been rule out for Thursday or Saturday. Christian Ehrhoff is out this week.
- LA Kings via twitter: Kings forward Jeff Carter had an MRI yesterday which revealed a deep bone bruise and no structural damage. He’ll be out day-to-day.
- Shawn Mitchell via twitter: Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski is set to return to the lineup tonight.
- Dallas Morning News via twitter: Stars forward Eric Nystrom could return to the lineup tonight.
- Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets center Kyle Wellwood is out with a broken ankle. Wellwood was hit in the foot by a Grant Clitsome’s shot. Wellwood set a career high with 47 points this season.
- Ben Kuzma via twitter: Canucks Roberto Luongo will start in net for the Canucks tonight.
- Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey was suspended for elbowing.
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.
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun suffered another groin injury and may have played his last game for the Capitals.
- 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.
Morning notes on Sedin, Toews, Carter, McQuaid, Reimer, Gustavsson, McDonald, Hejduk, Mueller, Suter and Parise
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on March 30th, 2012
- Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: The Canucks get some good news in that Daniel Sedin could be ready to return for the 1st round of the playoffs according to GM Mike Gillis.
“It’s risky to make projections with these things because one day the player just may not feel right, but he’s going in the right direction,” Gillis told The Vancouver Sun. “He’s feeling a little better each day. We’re hopeful if things keep going the way they are that he’ll be available [for the first round].”
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Blackhawks Jonathan Toews is getting real close to returning.
“I’m not sure if it’s official yet, but probably,” Toews said. “If it’s not [Thursday], it will be soon, though.”
Defenseman Steve Montador’s concussion symptoms returned on Tuesday and he’s out indefinitely.
- Rich Hammond of LAKings NHL.com: Kings Jeff Carter is unlikely to play tonight due to an ankle injury.
- Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid left last night’s game in the 1st period after being hit face-first into the boards by Jason Chimera. McQuaid has had concussion issues in the past. He was cut over the eye and was ‘woozy’ leaving the ice.
“We’ll probably learn more (today),” coach Claude Julien said. “But for the obvious reasons that the medical staff deals with those kind of things, the minute you don’t feel right, they pull you out. So hopefully we’ll get good news (today).”
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: The Maple Leafs may shut James Reimer down for the season as a result of concussion-like symptoms returning.
“There will be probably a point that there’ll be a decision made if he’s going to return or not,” Carlyle said. “That’s in the medical people’s hands right now. We just have to wait for clearance from everybody involved to put the player back on the ice.”
- Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs pending UFA Jonas Gustavsson is trying to not think that far ahead. “What’s going to happen next year is going to wait for a while.” Gustavsson was injured in the warmups and was unable to make the start. The Leafs may look to bring in a veteran goalie next year to work with James Reimer.
- Jeremy Rutherford via twitter: Blues forward Andy McDonald will return to the lineup on Saturday.
- Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Avalanche forward Milan Hejduk is considering retiring after the season.
“It could be. I don’t want to analyze right now, but it definitely could be,” Hejduk said.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: (mailbag) Avs pending RFA Peter Mueller has been a healthy scratch for 2 games lately and would required a $2.2 million qualifying offer. Dater thinks they will likely qualify him, but it is possible they look to trade him.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Sources are saying that the Red Wings have sent scouts to watch the remaining games of pending UFAs Ryan Suter and Zach Parise. The Wings could be leaning more towards Suter since Nicklas Lidstrom could retire or play only one more season. B.J. Crombeen has been out with a hand injury. Roman Polak could return on Saturday.
Backstrom could play Saturday … Letang out at least 2 games … Leafs interested in Abbott … Vokoun ready … Canucks goalies
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 28th, 2012
- Chuck Gormley via twitter: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom said he won’t play on Thursday against Boston. Could be looking at Saturday against the Canadiens.
- Josh Yohe via twitter: Penguins defenseman Kris Letang won’t play on Thursday or Friday.
- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Word is that the Maple Leafs are close to signing college free agent Spencer Abbott of the Maine Black Bears. A number of teams are interested but he may be leaning towards signing with the Leafs. Abbott had 62 points in 39 games and is a Hobey Baker Award finalist.
- David ALter via twitter: Maple Leafs line: MacArthur-Grabovski-Frattin, Ashton-Bozak-Kessel, Connolly-Steckel-Crabb, Rosehill-Lombardi-Brown-Armstrong.
- David Alter via twitter: The Leafs called up Ben Scrivens and sent Jussi Rynnas down.
- Ken Warren via twitter: Senators Ben Bishop said his recovery is ahead of schedule and is hoping to skate this weekend. He might be able to play next week.
- Stephen Whyno via twitter: Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun said he’s healthy and ready to go.
- Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks Cory Schneider will start tonight, and should get another start this weekend as they have a back-to-back starting Friday. There is a chance Schneider plays in 5 of 9 games in a 2 week stretch that follows Roberto Luongo’s worst 4 game stretch this year. “Is it possible there’s a genuine goaltending audition going on here and no one has much noticed or believed it?”
Injury notes on Bryzgalov, Backstrom, Ehrhoff and Timonen … Some starting goalies for tonight
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on March 28th, 2012
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov has a small chip fracture in his right foot. An MRI showed the fracture after 2 x-rays revealed nothing. He won’t require surgery and could be back playing by the weekend.
“We don’t think this is a serious injury,” Holmgren said. “It’s a chip off a weight-bearing bone, and the doctor has said it’ll be absorbed back into his system, and there’s no real risk here at all [to play]. It’s just he’s in a little bit of pain right now.”
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom passed his baseline test “with flying colors.” Backstrom has been out since Jan. 3rd, and has skated 14 of the past 15 days.
“We’ll see where it goes from here,” McPhee said. “We’re making sure he’s in good shape and he’s comfortable. It’s going to be his decision.”
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff left last night’s game in the 1st period with a knee injury.
“We’ll have our doctors evaluate him but it looks like he’s going to miss a little bit of time,” said coach Lindy Ruff. “It’s something we’ll get evaluated [today] and get a better idea.”
- Sam Carchidi via twitter: Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timomen is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
- Iain MacIntyre via twitter: Cory Schneider will start in net tonight against the Avalanche.
- Dan Tencer via twitter: Devan Dubnyk will start in net for the for the Oilers tonight against the Stars.
- Jeremy Rutherford via twitter: Jaroslav Halak will start in net on Thursday for the Blues.
Morning notes: Sedin, Hall, Horcoff, Sutton, Gagne, Parise, Harding, Spurgeon, Backstrom, Vokoun, Zuccarello and Keith suspension video
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Suspensions, NHL Videos on March 24th, 2012
- Jim Jamieson via twitter: Henrik Sedin said Daniel suffered his first concussion.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers Taylor Hall has been off the ice for the last 2 days. He won’t play on Sunday. Captain Shawn Horcoff left last night’s game with a sore back. Defenseman Andy Sutton has a minor knee issue.
- Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider: Kings Simon Gagne has been out since December 26th with a concussion, continues to skate but hasn’t practiced and won’t travel with the team on their 4 game road trip. If he’s not cleared for practice soon, the chances of him playing this year are not high. When asked if Gagne will play again this year, GM Dean Lombardi said “Doubt it.”
- The Fouth Period: It’s believed the Wild will try to sign Zach Parise this offseason if he’s not re-signed by the Devils before July 1st. Goalie Josh Harding is expected to test the open market and is not likely back with the Wild. The Lightning, Maple Leafs, Blue Jackets and Senators could take a look at Harding.
- Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune: Wild Jared Spurgeon is out with a concussion. Niklas Backstrom and Matt Kassian didn’t travel with the team.
- Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post: Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun skated yesterday for 30 minutes and took some shots.
“Hopefully it stays the same and I can do a little bit more tomorrow,” Vokoun said after an extremely sparsely attending morning skate. “Then we’ll see, maybe shoot for some time next week.”
- Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News: Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello fractured his left wrist last night.
- Mark Stepneski via twitter: Kari Lehtonen will start in net for the Stars tonight.
- Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith was suspended for 5 games for his elbow on Canucks Daniel Sedin.
Afternoon notes: Sedin, Keith, Radulov, Maple Leafs, Hall, Zajac, Toews, Lupul … Lines and starting goalies
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Starting Goalies on March 22nd, 2012
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Daniel Sedin won’t play tonight. He’s flying home today to see a specialist in Vancouver.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Blackhawks don’t play until Sunday so there is no rush for Duncan Keith’s disciplinary hearing. Likely to happen tomorrow. It’s expected to be a phone hearing, so if there is a suspension it will be 5 games or less.
- Josh Cooper via twitter: Alexander Radulov will be in the lineup for the Predators tonight.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: The Maple Leafs will add 3 forwards (1 top 6 and 2 depth guys) plus a goalie this summer. Burke can’t mortgage the future to get them.
- Mark Spector via twitter: Taylor Hall didn’t skate this morning. Coach Tom Renney, “Not sure it’s a setback. It’s a concussion.”
- Adam Kimelman via twitter: Capitals Alexander Semin is a game-time decision.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: Travis Zajac is under the impression that he won’t play on Friday but added, “closer, but not close enough.”
- Adam Jahns via twitter: Blackhawks Jonathan Toews still hasn’t been cleared for contact.
- Kevin McGran via twitter: Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul admits it’s “a bit of a stretch” for him to return this year.
- Shawn Mitchell via twitter: Rick Nash on a line with Vinny Prospal and Mark Letestu. Atkinson was with Umberger and Brassard.
- Jonas Siegel via twitter: Maple Leafs lines: Ashton-Bozak-Kessel. MacArthur-Grabovski-Frattin. Crabb-Steckel-Connolly. Rosehill-Lombardi-Armstrong.
- Marc Antoine Godin via twitter: Canadiens lines: Pacioretty-Desharnais-Cole,Eller-Plekanec-Bourque,White-Leblanc-Blunden, Staubitz-Geoffrion-Palushaj.
- Mike Heika via twitter: Stars lines: Eriksson-Ribeiro-Ryder. Morrow-Benn-Ott. Nystrom-Fiddler-Dvorak. Dowell-Wandell-Burish. Defensive pairings and goalie: Souray-Robidas. Goligoski-Larsen. Pardy-Daley, with Kari Lehtonen starting.
- Roger Millions via twitter: Flames lines: Tanguay Stajan Iginla-Comeau Jones Stempniak- Glencross Jokinen Moss-Bouma Kostopoulos jackman. Defensive pairing and goalie: Butler Bouwmeester-Hannan Giordano-Smith Babchuk-Kiprusoff.
- Dan Murphy via twitter: Cory Schneider will be in net for the Canucks.
- Curtis Zupke via twitter: Jonathan Quick is the first off the ice and likely starter.
- Ian Mendes via twitter: Craig Anderson will start in net for the Senators tomorrow.
Sedin leaves with head injury … Backstrom could practice next week … Wings injury update … Steen progressing … Sarich back to Calgary
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on March 22nd, 2012
- Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks Daniel Sedin took one shift after Duncan Keith’s elbow, and didn’t return for the 2nd period after suffering an apparent head injury.
- Katie Carerra of the Washington Post: Capitals Nicklas Backstrom has skated 8 of the last 9 days and could return to practice next week. There is no timeline on when he could be back in the lineup.
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings injury update: Nicklas Lidstrom, Jakub Kindle, Jimmy Howard are hoping for Saturday. Johan Franzen isn’t sure when he can get back to skating or into game action.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: Blues forward Alex Steen (concussion) has been back on the ice with teammates. He’ll remain with the team and return to St. Louis after their 3 game road trip. Strickland thinks he’ll play at some point this year, with the regular season a possibility but no timetable has been given.
- Mark Spector via twitter: Flames defenseman Cory Sarich went back to Calgary after looking concussed during their game against the Avalanche.
Doan gets 3 game suspension …. Keith should get more
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL News, NHL Suspensions, NHL Videos on March 22nd, 2012
Coyotes Shane Doan was suspended for 3 games for his elbow to Stars Jamie Benn.
Blackhawks Duncan Keith will be up for suspension after elbowing Canucks Daniel Sedin.
More on Radulov … Helm out 4-6 weeks … Wild injury updates … Pitkanen close … Canucks lineup changes and starting goalies
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Starting Goalies on March 19th, 2012
4:45 PM:
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Radulov’s return to Nashville is conditioned on him returning to the KHL next year (from Medvedev via @plysenkov). He was allowed to buy out this year only with condition he’d be back. If not, he’d have to pay 2/3 of next years back. Radulov’s KHL salary for next year would be for around $5 million. KHL president Medvedev also implied that SKA will try to buy Radulov’s and Evgeni Kuznetsov’s rights. In response to my question to be clear, Chesnokov said that Radulov can re-sign with the Predators after the season, but has pay the 2/3rds back.
2:50 PM:
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Predators GM David Poile on Alexander Radulov:
“We’ve been in contact with Jay Grossman, Alex’s agent, throughout process of trying to return Alex to NSH and NHL.”
“Though the complicated process has yet to be concluded, every indication is Alex will be returning to NSH in near future.”
No updates are expected until tomorrow until at the earliest.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Chesnokov wonders how Radulov was able to get out of his contract. He’s re-read the KHL rules and it looks impossible legally. Article 30 (7) – “No player can terminate contract from the start of playoffs until April 30.” Pierre LeBrun via twitter: LeBrun responds to Chesnokov that “no player under NHL contract is supposed to bolt to another league either.” Slava Malamud via twitter: Malamud notes that if KHL president Medvedev allowed Salavat to “skirt KHL rules,” may expect to see a favor back to SKA, possibly trading Radulov to SKA. One possibility could be the Radulov is traded to SKA, then signing Capitals prospect Evgeni Kuznetsov, with SKA promising not to go after Kuznetsov. Shawn Simpson via twitter: Simpson spoke with Val Kamesky. Radulov is heading to Nashville for this season, but must return to Ufa next year. Slava Malamud via twitter: Radulov return to the Predators won’t set a precedent as it’s a unique case in that he left before the KHL-NHL had an agreement with contract.
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Mikko Koivu practiced yesterday and is listed as day-to-day. Niklas Backstrom’s groin injury is almost back to normal. Center Matt Cullen is expected back in the lineup against the Canucks.
- Helene St. James via twitter: Red Wings forward Darren Helm will be out 4-6 weeks with a 2nd degree MCL sprain.
- Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller said that Joni Pitkanen could return to the lineup on Wednesday.
- Mike Heika via twitter: Stars Sheldon Souray and Radek Dvorak are probable for Tuesday.
- Helene St. James via twitter: Red Wings Nicklas Lidstrom did a few drills today at practice. It’s the most he’s done since his ankle injury.
- Katie Strang via twitter: Devils center Travis Zajac was on the ice this morning, but is not expected to play tonight.
- Chris Johnston via twitter: The Lightning have signed Sebastien Caron, who’ll have to clear waivers.
- Andrew Gross via twitter: Rangers lines: Hagelin-Richards-Gaborik Dubinsky-Stepan-Callahan Zuccarello-Boyle-Mitchell Rupp-Fedotenko-Prust.
- Stephen Whyno via twitter: Johan Franzen will be out of the Red Wings lineup tonight. Jimmy Howard will start in net.
- Jim Jamieson via twitter: Canucks forward Mason Raymond will be a healthy scratch. Alex Burrows will be back with the Sedin twins. Manny Malhotra is back in. Cory Schneider will start in net for the Canucks.
- Dave Lozo via twitter: Henrik Lundqvist will start in net for the Rangers.
Sunday morning notes: Canadiens, Sharks, Leafs, Kings, Wild, Blue Jackets, Red Wings, Blues and Blackhawks
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 18th, 2012
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Whoever is the GM of the Canadiens this summer will be in charge of re-signing RFA goalie Carey Price. He could be getting a deal in the $5.5 million to $6 million range. Senators Erik Karlsson is also a RFA and could get a deal in the $5.5 to $7 million range. Predators Shea Weber is also a RFA this year. Pierre McGuire is a name to keep an eye on as candidate for the Canadiens GM job if it opens up. Garrioch wonders if the Sharks would trade one of Joe Thornton of Patrick Marleau if they miss the playoffs. Many wonder if Leafs Joffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel will thrive under new coach Randy Carlyle. Some people think Zach Parise could land in LA on July 1st, but with Lombardi possibly panicing and making the Carter for Johnson deal, it may have lessened their chances. The Wild have emerged as the favorites. Garrioch wonders if the Leafs would take a shot at Roberto Luongo this summer. Apparently if Scott Howson is still the GM of the Blue Jackets, he plans on drafting Filip Forsberg with the #1 pick ahead of Nail Yakupov.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: One league executive on the Blue Jackets if they win the draft lottery,
“They can’t pick a Russian so they can’t use the pick,” … “They’ll have to trade it.”
Along with trading Rick Nash, their options are:
1) They could keep the pick and not choose Yakupov, which would be counter-productive; 2) They could flip picks with another team, trading the first choice for another early choice, and getting an asset as well; 3) They could trade the pick to the highest bidder and begin rebuilding their team.
If Ducks college prospect Justin Schultz becomes a free agent, they Leafs will likely chase him again. They were interested in him when talking with the Ducks about Francois Beauchemin.
- Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News: Red Wings forward Johan Franzen is out indefinitely with a bad back. Dan Cleary has also been dealing with pain in his knee since Dec. 1st, and will need to have surgery again at some point. Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson’s wrist is healing quick, but he’s still scheduled to return late this month. Joey MacDonald will have an MRI on his back when he gets back to Detroit.
- Derrick Goold of St. Louis Post Dispatch: Blues coach Ken Hitchcock hass told Jason Arnott to take a week off.
“When I watched him play (last week), I saw a guy who was protecting himself on the ice and to me he was going out of the way to get out of the way,” Hitchcock said Saturday. “I felt like there was going to be a further injury. I could see how banged up he was. … We needed to get a better player on the ice.”
Hitchcock isn’t sure if Andy McDonald will join the team on their road trip.
- Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune: Wild Mikko Koivu has been practicing the last couple days and is close to returning. “He is getting very close,” Yeo said. “But again, after talking with the doctors, we all felt it was best to hold him off for a couple more games.”
- Tracey Myers of CSNChicago: Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews hasn’t skated in 4 days. Coach Joel Quenneville,
“The process, I’m sure in his mind, is not a fun thing to be dealing with. You want to be optimistic; there was that stretch there where he was getting close. There’s hope, and that’re we’re at.s whe”
- Kirk Penton of the Winnipeg Sun: Jets defenseman Mark Stuart was fined $2,500 for a late hit on Capitals Marcus Johansson on Friday.
Afternoon notes on: Crosby to return, Radulov, Avery, Letang, NHL rules, Bergeron, Parenteau, lines and starting goalies
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Starting Goalies on March 13th, 2012
- Pens Inside Scoop via twitter: Penguins Sidney Crosby will return on Thursday against the Rangers.
- Slava Malamud via twitter: Reports out of Russia are that Alexander Radulov is leaning towards returning to the NHL, but the KHL leaders are doing their best to dissuade him.
- Larry Brooks via twitter: Sean Avery tells the NY Post: “No, that wasn’t a joke, yes I’m retiring at end of season and its ok”
- Josh Yohe via twitter: Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is a maybe for Thursday. He said he wasn’t diagnosed with another concussion.
- James Mirtle via twitter: Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier said there is little support for removing the trapezoid or returning the red line.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Hearing there is support of hybrid icing, but he GMs want to refine the wording/interpretation before their formal vote.
- John Buccigross via twitter: Bruins Patrice Bergeron’s x-rays on his left leg came back negative.
- Jesse Spector via twitter: Islanders forward P.A. Parenteau is out with an upper-body injury tonight.
- Adam Kimelman via twitter: Flyers lines: Hartnell-Giroux-Jagr, Wellwood-Briere-Voracek, Read-Schenn-Simmonds, Talbot-Couturier-Rinaldo.
- Dan Murphy via twitter: Canucks lines: Daniel-Henrik-Raymond Higgins-Kesler-Booth Burrows-Pahlsson-Hansen Malhotra-Lapierre-Kassian.
- Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers lines: Hall-Gagner-Hemsky, Jones-RNH-Eberle, Smyth-Horcoff-Omark, Hordichuk-Belanger-Petrell.
- Mike Heika via twitter: Stars lines: Eriksson-Ribeiro-Ryder. Morrow-Benn-Ott. Nystrom-Fiddler-Burish. Garbutt-Wandell-Vincour.
- Kevin Allen via twitter: Jimmy Howard will start for the Red Wings tonight.
- Joe Haggerty via twitter: Marty Turco will start in net for the Bruins.
- Stephen Whyno via twitter: Evgeni Nabokov will start in net for the Islanders.
- David Alter via twitter: Looks like James Reimer will start in net for the Leafs.
- Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Ben Bishop will start in net for the Senators tomorrow. Craig Anderson won’t play in the 3 games this week.
Was Grabovski’s deal delayed? Canucks targeted teams for Hodgson deal … Injury notes on Duchene, Lupul, Armstrong, Dubinsky, Jagr, Jackman and Nikitin
Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News on March 7th, 2012
- Elliotte Friedman of CBC: Friedman thinks the Mikhail Grabovski’s deal could have been done a week or 2 ago but Burke may have wanted to see if he would get a crazy offer at the deadline. It’s rumored that the Stars wanted Cody Hodgson for Steve Ott. The Leafs tried to get Hodgson as well. The Canucks ‘targeted” a few clubs that they thought had the match they wanted. Friedman thinks they liked Brandon Sutter from the Hurricanes and John Carlson of the Capitals. Former Oilers Tom Gilbert said he didn’t demand a trade.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche forward Matt Duchene injured his right ankle in the 3rd period of last night’s game. He’ll be re-evaluated today.
- Lance Hornby via twitter: Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul has an upper-body injury and Colby Armstrong has a broken nose.
- Andrew Gross of the Bergon Record: Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky left last night’s game in the first period after getting into a fight with Ryan Carter.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Flyers Jakub Voracek got rocked by Niklas Kronwall last night. There was no injury update after the game as he was still be evaluated by doctors. Jaromir Jagr also left the game with a lower body injury.
- John Down of the Calgary Herald: Flames forward Tim Jackman left after 1 shift after taking a big hit from Alexei Emelin.
- Shawn Mitchell via twitter: Blue Jackets defenseman Nikita Nikitin blocked a shot off the foot in the 1st period and did not return.
Wings couldn’t find fit … Caps unsure on Backstrom … Wild may re-sign Harding … No offers for Allen or Spacek … Toews may have concussion
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 28th, 2012
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings were looking for a forward yesterday, but they couldn’t find a fit. Prices were high.
“Some teams are bigger,” Holland said. “They don’t have our skill. Let’s play. I don’t know that there was a move today that we could have made that would have gotten us bigger. The bottom line is, if you are going on a long playoff run, the top half of your roster for the most part has got to be healthy. You can have the odd injury. Part of it is matchup, part of it is luck.”
- Stephen Whyno via twitter: Capitals GM George McPhee when asked if Niklas Backstrom will return this year: “I don’t know. Hope so, but we don’t know.”
- Michael Russo via twitter: Wild GM Chuck Fletcher said he hasn’t ruled out re-signing goalie Josh Harding.
- John Shannon via twitter: The Panthers, Blues, and Coyotes, who are all in the hunt, weren’t able to make moves yesterday due to financial reasons.
- Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said there wasn’t any offers for either Bryan Allen or Jaroslav Spacek. Teams called to see what it would take, but no offers.
- Dan Rosen of NHL.com: 5 winners from yesterday: Predators, Canucks, Sabres, Bruins and Lightning.
- Brian Hedger via twitter: Hedger thinks that Blackhawks Jonathan Toews’ injury is a concussion.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: Custance looks at 5 moves that didn’t yesterday that will be getting interest in the offseason: Rick Nash, Cory Schneider, Ryan Suter, Alexander Semin and the Ducks (things may change in the summer for the Ducks. GM Murray is giving this group a chance to get back in it.)
Recent Comments