Posts Tagged Viktor Stalberg
State of the Chicago Blackhawks: NHL Trade Deadline Edition
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 25th, 2012
Today is the 1st installment of our expanded NHL Trade Deadline coverage. We’ll be posting team outlooks leading up to trade deadline over the next couple weeks from a variety of contributing writers.
Written by Tab Bamford of TheFourthPeriod.com and can be found on twitter at @The1Tab
The Chicago Blackhawks are in the mix for the best record in the Western Conference, but are equally close to fourth place in the Central Division. With a good, young core locked up and over $5 million in cap space, the Blackhawks will be buyers at the deadline.
What will be the Blackhawks wants/needs?
1. Top-four defenseman
The Hawks have one of the best top pairs in the league with Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, but have been searching for the right formula all season in the wake of Brian Campbell being traded to Florida during the draft.
Nick Leddy’s developing nicely, but has been better when held under 20 minutes per game over the last month. Meanwhile, Niklas Hjalmarsson appears to have peaked as a number 4-5 defenseman who excels at blocking shots and killing penalties, but has not taken the next step in his development yet.
Some players the Hawks might target include Tim Gleason in Carolina, Hal Gill and/or Chris Campoli in Montreal, and, if Brian Burke puts him on the market, Cody Franson.
Parise could test UFA market … Semin practices with 4th line … CBJ-CAR talking … Isles shopping Okposo? What is Gagner worth?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on November 21st, 2011
- Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: The Devils would like to lock up Zach Parise long-term, but it’s likely he’ll test the free agent market. Parise wants to win a Cup, but are the Devils close enough?
“When you’re here for seven years and have never been past the second round, you realize it’s going by quick,” he said. “You see how hard it is. There are 29 teams every year that are disappointed, so it’s not easy. You’ve got to get lucky, you have to have a great team and you have to have a healthy team and avoid injuries at key times. A lot of things have to fall into place.”
“Some players want to go and get the most money they can, which is fine,” Parise said. “Do whatever you want. Then you have a lot of players who want to be somewhere where you’re going to have the best chance to win.
“I think any player in the situation I’m in has to look at everything. For me, most importantly you look at the team. You look at the area you live in. You look at everything from top to bottom because it’s hopefully where you’re going to spend the rest of your career. So you have to be sure you do your research on everything and make sure it’s somewhere you want to be and where you are comfortable.”
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Stars are expected to lose $30 million this season. There is talk of the Blue Jackets sending Antoine Vermette to the Hurricanes for defenseman Bryan Allen. Derick Brassard has been a healthy scratch for the Blue Jackets, but carries a $3.3 million salary year, and $3.7 million next year. The Islanders are said to be looking for a 2nd line center, and may be shopping winger Kyle Okposo, who has been a healthy scratch the past couple games. If the Blackhawks are interested in Sam Gagner, what would the Oilers want in return? They could use a big bodied top 9 forward or high-end prospect. Matheson names Mark McNeill, Brandon Saad, Bryan Bickell and Viktor Stalberg. The Hurricanes are showcasing Tomas Kaberle but with 2 more years at $4 million, not many are interested.
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals Alexander Semin found himself practicing in rotation on the 4th line. Usually one of the four players practicing on the 4th line is a healthy scratch. Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau:
“Infer what you want,” Boudreau said. “I don’t know who, if everybody’s healthy two guys have got to sit, so we have to figure out who it’s going to be.”
Mike Green won’t be in the lineup on Monday. He hasn’t skated in 10 days.
“It hasn’t worsened; just hasn’t improved at the rate we would have liked it to improve,” Boudreau said when asked about Green’s status. “We’re hoping that he skates at some point this week.”
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators aren’t looking to make any trades while they remain in the thick of things. Matt Carkner is getting close to returning, but he’ll require a conditioning stint first. They’ll have 8 defenseman when he returns. David Rundblad is on a 2-way contract, so he could be sent to down to the AHL when Carkner returns.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Blue forward T.J. Oshie is listed as day-to-day with a wrist injury. Oshie jammed his right wrist in the 1st period of Saturday’s game. The Blue have called up Brett Sterling in case Oshie can’t go on Tuesday against the Kings.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: The Blackhawks are eating $8.5 million in salary (Huet and Olesz), which gives them $5.5 million to make some moves. Bernstein thinks the Kings should consider this with their “nonproductive big $ dudes.”
Morning notes involving Stastny, Semin, Blake, Oilers arena, Hurricanes, Redden, DiPietro, Crawford and Auld
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 15th, 2011
- Craig Custance of ESPN: (from his ‘mailbag’) Custance doesn’t think the Avalanche are interested in moving Paul Stastny. Burke is looking to use his defensive depth as part of a deal to get an impact player. If Colorado were to do any sort of big deal, salary would play a part as they are close to the salary floor. Custance thinks there are 7 elite goalies, Ryan Miller, Ilya Bryzgalov, Carey Price, Henrik Lundqvist, Tim Thomas, Pekka Rinne and Roberto Luongo. Any contract extension for Alexander Semin from the Capitlas won’t come until after the season. Custance doesn’t think the Capitals will trade him during the season as you need high-end players to win the Cup.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Jason Blake suffered a severe forearm laceration last night. He was wheeled out on a stretcher to a hospital.
- Dan Tencer via twitter on Oilers arena issues: “Katz Group has withdrawn the request for a non-compete from Northlands, who will continue to operate the current building as they see fit.” … “The City of Edmonton will assume all land options for the arena site and make the purchases pending paperwork and their current prices.” … “The City of Edmonton is still actively pursuing a written commitment from the Province of Alberta for funding to cover the $100M money gap.” … “The City of Edmonton will spend $20M over 10 years with the Oilers to promote Edmonton. Think logos, rink boards, commercials etc.” … “There will be another meeting at the end of the month, hopefully with a $ commitment from the Province by then. Will discuss Plan B if not.”
- Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos has added Michael Kahn as an investor and should be adding more shortly. So far he’s sold $22 million in equity to 9 people from North Carolina. In the next 6 months he’s looking to sell another $20 million to North Carolina people.
- Elliotte Friedman via twitter: Players escrow refund cheques are going to be delayed. The NHL and NHLPA are disagreeing about what qualifies as hockey revenue. Renaud Lavoie via twitter: The NHLPAs dispute could amount to millions more for the players.
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: He isn’t saying that the Islanders would buyout Rick DiPietro next summer, but if they did under the current CBA rules it would cost them $1.5 million per year for the next 18 years.
- Pierre LeBrun and Scott Burnside of ESPN talk Rick DiPietro: Burnside thinks DiPietro’s deal could go down as one of the worst hockey decisions ever made. He also wonders how the Islanders would have made out if they had kept Roberto Luongo and not drafted DiPietro 1st overall. LeBruns wonders if there will be a “one-time buyout provision for teams to get rid of one bad contract” in the new CBA. Al Montoya has started all 3 games for the Islanders, and if they want to showcase Evgeni Nabokov for a trade, they’ll have to get him in some games. LeBrun thinks they will move Nabokov before the trade deadline regardless of DiPietro’s health. If the Islanders are in a playoff hunt, Burnside thinks they may not use Nabokov as straight trade bait.
- K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune: Corey Crawford will start in net for the Blackhawks tonight against the Bruins. Viktor Stalberg could also make his season debut.
- James Gordon of the Ottawa Citizen: Alex Auld will be in net for the Senators tonight against Capitals. Bobby Butler re-aggravated a groin injury and won’t travel to Washington.
2011 NHL Salary Arbitration List
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on July 6th, 2011
A list of all NHL players who filed for salary arbitration and the date of their hearing.
| Player | Pos. | 10/11 Team | Date | Ruling/Contract Notes |
| Dan Sexton | RW | Anaheim Ducks | Aug. 4 | Re-signed before arbitration. 2 years |
| Andrej Sekera | D | Buffalo Sabres | July 25 | Re-signed before arbitration. 4 years, $11 million |
| Derek Joslin | D | Carolina Hurricanes | July 28 | Re-signed before arbitration. 2 years, $1.4 million |
| Chris Campoli | D | Chicago Blackhawks | Aug 3 | Arbitration hearing moved up. Awarded 1 year, $2.5 million. Blackhawks walk away. |
| Viktor Stalberg | LW | Chicago Blackhawks | July 20 | Re-signed before arbitration. 2 years, $1.75 million. |
| Kevin Porter | C | Colorado Avalanche | July 26 | Re-signed before arbitration. 1 year, $850,000 |
| Ryan Wilson | D | Colorado Avalanche | July 22 | Re-signed before arbitration. 1 year, $1.275 million. |
| Andrew Cogliano | C | Anaheim Ducks | July 21 | Re-signed before arbitration. 3 years, $7.17 million |
| Alec Martinez | D | Los Angeles Kings | July 27 | Re-signed before arbitration. 2 years, $1.475 million. |
| Brad Richardson | C | Los Angeles Kings | July 21 | Re-signed before arbitration. 2 years, $2.35 million |
| Josh Gorges | D | Montreal Canadiens | July 28 | Re-signed before arbitration. 1 year, $2.5 million |
| Sergei Kostitsyn | LW | Nashville Predators | July 26 | Re-signed before arbitration. 1 year, $2.5 milloin |
| Shea Weber | D | Nashville Predators | Aug 2 | |
| Mark Fraser | D | New Jersey Devils | Aug 4 | Re-signed before arbitration. 1 year, $550,000 |
| Zach Parise | LW | New Jersey Devils | Aug 3 | Re-signed before arbitration. 1 year, $6 million. |
| Blake Comeau | RW | NY Islanders | Aug 4 | |
| Brian Boyle | C | NY Rangers | July 25 | Re-signed before arbitration. 3 years, $5.1 million |
| Ryan Callahan | RW | NY Rangers | July 28 | Re-signed before arbitration. 3 years, $12.825 million |
| Brandon Dubinsky | C | NY Rangers | July 21 | Re-signed before arbitration. 4 years, $16.8 million |
| Michael Sauer | D | NY Rangers | Re-signed before arbitration. 2 years, $2.5 million | |
| Lauri Korpikoski | LW | Phoenix Coyotes | July 20 | Re-signed before arbitration. 2 years, $3.6 million |
| Teddy Purcell | RW | Tampa Bay Lightning | July 20 | Re-signed before arbitration. 2 years, $4.725 million |
| Jannik Hansen | RW | Vancouver Canucks | July 29 | Re-signed before arbitration. 3 years, $4.05 million |
| Blake Wheeler | RW | Winnipeg Jets | Aug 3 | Re-signed before arbitration. 2 years, $5.1 million |
Morning rumblings involving Richards, Arnott, Doughty, Blackhawks, Flames, Sabres, Red Wings and Lightning
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 3rd, 2011
- Kevin Allen via twitter: Brad Richards salary breakdown: “$12M, $12M, $9M, $8.5M, $8.5M, $8.5M, $7M + 3 Yrs at $1M. Yrly totals include signing bonuses.$10M in 11-12, $8M in 12-13”
- Darren Dreger via twitter: The Maple Leafs offered Brad Richards a higher annual average salary than the Rangers, but Richards wanted the term and to play for John Tortorella again.
- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs are still said to have some interest in Jason Arnott.
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: The Kings and Drew Doughty have exchanged proposals, it could be in the $7 million range. GM Lombardi was at Newport Sports office Friday, but didn’t meet with Doughty’s agent, Don Meehan.
- Daily Herald: There were possible trade talks between the Blackhawks and Canadiens. There is speculation that the Blackhawks could be having trouble re-signing one of their free agents, Michael Frolik, Chris Campoli, or Viktor Stalberg. GM Stan Bowman hopes to sign all 3. They might be kicking tires on adding a center, possibly John Madden, Eric Belanger and Zenon Konopka.
- Steve MacFarlane of the Calgary Sun: Flames GM Jay Feaster,
“Guys are getting traded. Teams are starting to make phone calls, teams trying to unload salary. Now, for the first time in a long time, we are poised to take advantage when we see an opportunity we like.
“We’re not done. We think there will be opportunities in the trade market. We think there will be opportunities when camps open.”
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: The Sabres will have to move some salary out. They could send Ales Kotalik and Shaone Morrisonn to the AHL, those moves would have $5 million in cap space. They could look at moving Brad Boyes ($4 million) or Jochen Hecht ($3.5 million). Both Boyes and Hecht are in the last year of their deals.
- Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: The Red Wings are debating about re-signing Chris Osgood or looking at the free agent market, possibly Ty Conklin.
- Adrian Dater via twitter: Dater heard a rumor that the Red Wings could be interested in Chris Drury.
- Erik Erlendsson via twitter: The Lightning could be looking for 1 or 2 forwards, including a top 6.
Richards says No to waiving NTC, would love to return to Tampa … Bryzgalov demanded a lot from the Coyotes … Oilers willing to trade 1st overall … Rangers to buyout Drury
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 9th, 2011
- Joey Johnston of the Tampa Tribune: Brad Richards never wanted to leave Tampa, and would love to return.
“I don’t know what they’re thinking as an organization,” said Richards, 31, who has played for the Dallas Stars since the Lightning shipped him away a few hours before the 2008 trade deadline. “If they’re going to talk to me, I’d definitely be interested.”
“Obviously, fitting in with Tampa wouldn’t be an issue because of my history here,” Richards said. “In this salary-cap world, you have to be aware of each organization’s dynamics. Maybe you couldn’t get top dollar (in Tampa) that you might get somewhere else, but you consider other things.
“I’ve got friends and people I play golf with who constantly hammer me about coming back to Tampa. Even if I tried, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. So yes, it’s there. I’d love to see it progress. But what’s going to happen? Who knows?”
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: The Dallas Stars asked Brad Richards if he would waive his no trade clause, but he said no at the advice of his agent.
“He asked in late May, and it was not a situation that was good for us, and so we said no,” Morris said of Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk. “He hasn’t asked again, but he understands that we would have to be aware of the situation and it would have to be a situation that would be one where we can see some benefit.”
The teams interested in Richards (Leafs, Rangers, Kings, possibly the Sabres and Blue Jackets ) don’t have to deal with salary cap issues. With the Flyers acquiring Bryzgalov with the hope of signing him, they will need the time before July 1st to make some other moves to fit him in under the cap.
- Scott Bordow of the Arizona Republic: It’s clear that Ilya Bryzgalov didn’t want to return to the Coyotes. He knew they wouldn’t be able to afford the $7 million he wants. With their payroll likely to be around $50 million next year, if they gave Bryzgalov big money they wouldn’t be able to re-sign some of their free agents, including Keith Yandle. Coyotes GM Don Maloney has talked about adding a goalie through trade or free agency. Marty Turco could be a stop gap goalie for them.
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Ilya Bryzgalov’s contract demands with the Phoenix Coyotes were off the charts according to a source.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: If the Flyers are able to come to terms with Ilya Bryzgalov they might have to deal Matt Carle or Jeff Carter, and possibly not re-signing Ville Leino.
“We still have intentions of trying to re-sign Ville . . . but you can only do so much,” Holmgren said. “We’re trying to have the best team available. We’ll see what we can do.”
Bryzgalov is reportedly looking for a 4-5 year deal worth at least $5 million. The Flyers currently have 18 players signed for almost $59 million for next year.
- Chris Johnston in the Globe and Mail: Oilers GM Steve Tambellini is open to trading the 1st overall pick in this year’s draft. He has had discussions with some teams about a possible trade.
“I’ve had a few calls (from) people kicking the tires of how they can help me make the Oilers a better team,” Tambellini said Wednesday after the NHL’s GMs meeting. “For me to move the No. 1 pick it would have to be obviously something exceptional. Because this is a huge building block again for us.
“These couple years here are exactly the time that we have to put pieces in place that are going to be part of the Oilers success for a long time. It would have to be something quite sweet.”
- Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: The NY Rangers are planning on buying out the last season of Chris Drury’s contract. Buying Drury out will save the team $3.3 million against the cap this year, $1.6 million next year. They also are likely to buy out Wojtek Wolski, saving another $3.3 million next year, $666,667 in 2012-12. The Rangers have 7 restricted free agents, most notably Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky.
- Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun: Free agent Andrew Ladd is a top priority of Winnipeg’s new GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. “Andrew’s going to be one of my first phone calls,” new GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said, Wednesday. “He is a big, big piece of this franchise.”
- Adam L Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said there are no deals imminent with Chris Campoli, Michael Frolik, Viktor Stalberg, and Troy Brouwer. Bowman also added that he’s OK with going into the season with Corey Crawford and Alexander Salak in net. He also expects trade talks to heat up after the Stanley Cup.
- Chris Johnston in the Globe and Mail: Senators GM Bryan Murray is getting closer to making a decision on their new coach. “I just have to have a second interview with two or three of them and then make a decision.” Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk hopes to have his new coach soon. “It’s going well, we’ve met some impressive candidates,” said Nieuwendyk. “Ideally, I’d like to have it done before the draft. But certainly before free agency (opens July 1).” Wild GM Chuck Fletcher is thinking along the same lines as Nieuwendyk. “In a perfect world, you have guy in case you make a trade at the draft or for free agency he may have insight into a player,” said Fletcher. “He might have a player he absolutely doesn’t like or a style of player that he prefers. So if you’re filling out a certain role on your third or fourth line — let’s be honest, if the coach has a strong opinion on something I’d rather go with that player.”
Blackhawks sign Crawford … Werek and Etem sign entry level deals … Button has trade ideas for Capitals … Panthers want to bring Vokoun back
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 20th, 2011
- Elliott Pap of hte Vancouver Sun: Canucks winger Mikael Samuelsson will be out for the remainder of the season after adductor tendon and sports hernia surgery.
- Chicago Breaking Sports: The Blackhawks have signed Corey Crawford to a 3 year deal worth $8 million, a $2.6 million cap hit. “It means a lot,” Crawford said. “I want to be a part of the Blackhawks and I think the management and everyone there wanted me back too. It’s great to get it done early. Now I can just focus on workouts and getting prepared for next season.”
- Arizona Republic: The Coyotes have signed recently acquired prospect Ethan Werek to an entry level deal. Werek scored 24 goals and added 28 assists in 47 games with Kington of the OHL. He was acquired earlier this month from the Rangers for Oscar Linberg.
- Eric Stephens of hte OC Register: The Ducks have signed 2010 1st round (29th overall) draft pick Emerson Etem to an entry level deal. His NHL deal is for $900,000 with $90,000 in bonuses, $67,500 AHL salary. Etem scored 45 goals with 35 assists in 65 games with Medicine Hat of the WHL.
- Craig Button of ESPN: Button offers some trade options for the Capitals this off-season. They have 3 capable goalies in Michal Neuvirth, Semyon Varlamov and Braden Holtby. The Flyers could be one option, and have rugged winger Scott Hartnell. Could expand the deal to include Jeff Schultz and Braydon Coburn. Button thinks the Caps should target Valtteri Filppula and could offer up Mike Green. Jonathan Ericsson could also be a target of Washington. Flames defenseman Robyn Regehr would also look good in a Caps uniform. If the Caps offered up prospect Cody Eakin, it might open up discussions for Rene Bourque or David Moss. Button offers up a blockbuster proposal: one of Washington’s three goalies, Mike Green, and Alexander Semin to Anaheim for Francois Beauchemin and Bobby Ryan.
- The Fourth Period: The Panthers are very interested in bringing goalie Tomas Vokoun back next season. The 35 year old had a cap hit of $5.7 million last year.
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: With Corey Crawford locked up, the Blackhawks will now focus on Michael Frolik and Chris Campoli. They will also have decide what they are going to do with RFAs Viktor Stalberg, Troy Brouwer and Jake Dowell.
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: The Minnesota Wild have received permission for the Blue Jakets to speak with Ken Hitchcock. GM Chuck Fletcher has apparently interviewed Michel Therrien and Craig MacTavish already. Sources say Fletcher has talked to Kirk Muller, but he has not been ‘interviewed.’
- Katie Strang of the Newsday: Evgeni Nabokov plans on reporting to the Islanders training this fall. (If he’s not traded before)
Salo in for Canucks … Off-season Blackhawks questions … Arnott and Sturm likely not back for Capitals … Thrasher sale update
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on May 5th, 2011
- Damien Cox via twitter: Predators forward Colin Wilson will be in the lineup for injured Steve Sullivan. Sami Salo is in for the Canucks, Andrew Alberts is likely out. Keith Ballard a scratch. Dan Murphy via twitter: Salo in, Alberts out. No other changes for the Canucks, lines the same.
- Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman has some easy decision in the re-signing of Corey Crawford and Michael Frolik, but tougher one’s involving Viktor Stalberg and Troy Brower (both are RFA’s). Tomas Kopecky is a UFA. Jake Dowell could be out because of money or team need to be bigger. Chris Campoli made $1.4 million last year and his return will likely depend on money. Marty Turco may not be back unless he takes less than the $1.3 million he made this past season. Fernando Pisani is likely done. Another team may offer Ryan Johnson more money and a bigger role. Niklas Hjalmarsson could be trade bait, he has 3 years at $3.5 million per season, but Bowman may not be eager to deal him, “I look back at his season and he was rock solid for us,” Bowman said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can contribute offensively. Not everybody has to put up points. There’s value in the style he plays.”
- CSN Chicago via twitter: Blackhawks defenseman Chris Campoli had knee surgery, recovery will be 2 months.
- Scott Burnside of ESPN: Jason Arnott and Marco Sturm will likely not be brought back by the Capitals.
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Sabres forward Mike Grier will either return or retire, “If I play again, it’ll be here,” Grier said last week after cleaning out his locker. “If not, that’ll probably be it.”
- Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: There has been limited progress on finding a new owner/investors for the Thrashers.
“We continue to have discussions with different prospective investors or buyers of the franchise,” Gearon told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week. “The comments I made in February generated some preliminary interest. I wish there was more. There are some people we are talking to, but nothing that is far enough along at this stage that it deserves further comment.”
The Winnipeg group could target the Thrashers for relocation if Coyotes remain in Glendale. There is no indication if any local deal is close to keep the team in Atlanta.
Kariya to play a part in Selanne’s decision … Off-season notes on the Blackhawks, Kings and Canadiens
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on April 28th, 2011
- JP Hoornstra of the InsideSocal: Paul Kariya could play a part in Teemu Selanne’s plan to play another season or not. Selanne has said he wants to know if Kariya would come back to Anaheim if he decides to play next year. “Obviously all the years that I had with Paul, it was just unbelievable,” Selanne said. “I talked to him yesterday and we’re going to meet next week. We didn’t even talk about injuries yet but I want to talk to him about how he’s doing, what he’s thinking and maybe go surf with him.”
If he retires, Selanne said he would be at peace his career ending now. “I think so,” he said. “I tried to play like I left everything there. That’s how you should play anyway, every season. You can’t just win the Stanley Cup every year. That would be awesome, but it doesn’t work like that. I really believe we had enough tools to go further, but we lost.”
If he comes back, it will be in Anaheim. “I haven’t thought about having a chance to go somewhere else,” he said. “This is my place for sure.”
- Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: Despite being knocked out by the Canucks in the first round, there isn’t a lot of holes to fill in the Blackhawks lineup. One area they need to add is size and sandpaper. They have to make decisions on RFAs Troy Brouwer, Viktor Stalberg, Chris Campoli and Jake Dowell, either to re-sign or use as trade bait. Re-signing RFA’s Cory Crawford and Michal Frolik is a priority. Ryan Johnson may be only UFA to return (if the price is right) out of a group of Tomas Kopecky, Marty Turco, Fernando Pisani and Jordan Hendry. Kopecky may have priced himself out of Chicago’s plans, he made $1.2 million this past season. The Blackhawks could look at dealing one of their “big-ticket players”, possibly Niklas Hjalmarsson and his $3.5 million cap hit.
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: The Kings think that Dustin Penner needs to improve his conditioning for next season. Winger Justin Williams needs to decide if he wants to have surgery on his shoulder or not. GM Lombardi has to decide if he wants Michal Handzus and Alexei Ponikarovsky back, coach Murray does. They must also re-sign RFA’s Drew Doughty, Wayne Simmonds, Trevor Lewis, Brad Richardson, Alec Martinez and Oscar Moller. Moller’s future with the Kings may not be bright as he scratched for Scott Parse who had been out for 5 months. Lombardi on Doughty, “Part of this is do we go short term with Doughty for now and keep it down or try and go long-term.”
- Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette: The Canadiens blueline could have a different look next year as they have 6 UFA’s. Who of Andrei Markov, Roman Hamrlik, James Wisniewski, Brent Sopel and Hal Gill will be back?
Blackhawks injury and line updates … Gagne expects to play … Starting goalies … Weircioch makes NHL debut
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on March 22nd, 2011
- Adam Jahns via twitter: Blackhawks injury updates: Brian Campbell could go tomorrow. Patrick Sharp is out for 3 weeks max. No progress for David Bolland.
- Erik Erlendsson via twitter: Simon Gagne is expecting to play.
- Adam Jahns via twitter: Viktor Stalberg is practicing on the top line with Kane and Toews.
- NY Islanders via twitter: Al Montoya will start in net for the Islanders tonight.
- Edmonton Oilers via twitter: Devan Dubnyk will start in net for the Oilers tonight.
- Tony Ambrogio via twitter: Cary Price will start in net for the Canadiens tonight.
- Ian Mendes via twitter: Curtis McElhinney will start in net for the Senators. Milan Michalek won’t be in the lineup. Patrick Weircioch will make his NHL debut tonight.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: Martin Brodeur will start in net for the Devils tonight.
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