Posts Tagged Willie Mitchell

Injury Notes: Crosby, Ward, Clowe and Mitchell

  • Dave Molinari and Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Sidney Crosby has been cleared for contact and is expected to practice with the team today. He’s been out since March 30th after fracturing his jaw. He’s expected to meet with his medical people next week to determine when he can get back in the lineup. Being in the lineup for Game 1 hasn’t been ruled out. It’s looking like the Penguins could open up on Wednesday.
  • Dave Molinari: There is still no timetable on Crosby’s return, but it won’t be before the playoffs start.
  • Stephen Whyno: Capitals coach Adam Oates wouldn’t rule out Joel Ward returning on Saturday, but added that he needs a couple good practices.
  • Andrew Gross: Ryane Clowe left last night’s game with a possible leg injury. Rangers won’t say if it’s lower or upper-body.
  • John Hoven of the Mayor’s Manor: Kings GM Dean Lombardi on if he thought defenseman Willie Mitchell would be out the entire season:

    “No. Quite frankly, this was basically just a meniscus, which are a dime-a-dozen now in sports. I don’t know. I’ve had so many discussions with doctors, just like Grey’s Anatomy here or something, but bottom line is…Part of it is the way he’s a little bit knock-kneed and the stress that puts on it combined with wear and tear, and then the meniscus. It doesn’t look good, you know? He tried twice. It reached a mark where he could push it, and then every time he pushed it, it was serious problems.”

    Lombardi on if Mitchell’s injury is career threatening:

    “It’s possible. It’s always a tough decision for athletes. You know, you have Kobe Bryant, who was playing bone-on-bone. But this could be serious repercussions on his normal life down the road. So that’s the hard thing for a player. Could he push it, maybe? And play through the swelling and everything for a year or two? Yeah. But with that said, he might have to go the rest of his life walking with a limp. And that’s a very difficult call for an athlete.”

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Quick Hits: Kaberle, Visnovsky, Greene, Mitchell and Martin

  • Renaud Lavoie: Lubomir Visnovsky got a no-movement clause in his contract extension.
  • Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider: According to Kings GM Dean Lombardi: Matt Greene is about a month away from returning, and Willie Mitchell is likely done for the year. If he comes back, it’s a bonus.
  • Pittsburgh Penguins: Penguins defenseman Paul Martin has a broken bone and requires surgery. Will be out six weeks.

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Nothing new on Subban-Habs talks … Benn puts offer on table … Kings looking for Dman … Nino requests trade

  • Dave Stubbs via twitter: There is nothing to report this morning regarding P.K. Subban and Canadiens contract talks. Dustin Leed via twitter: Bob McKenzie on a Subban-Montreal deal “Unless there’s a dramatic change in the next little while; these two sides are no where close.” McKenzie said that Subban wants a longer term contract and more than the $2.75 million that the Canadiens are offering. Darren Dreger via twitter: Nothing new on Subban negotiations. Patrick Caisse via twitter: Nothing new on Subban, nothing scheduled for this week.
  • The Fourth Period: With Willie Mitchell already out, and with Matt Greene expected to miss at least 6 weeks with a back injury, the Kings may step up their efforts to find a defenseman. Kings GM Dean Lombardi was already looking for a defenseman before Greene’s injury. Teams looking to move a blueliner include the Sabres, Flames, Devils and Maple Leafs.
  • Katie Strang of ESPN: Islanders Nino Niederreiter has requested a trade according to a source. He is unhappy with his situation in New York and feels he may be better served playing in a new organization. Niederreiter’s agent approached GM Garth Snow last week, though Snow is believed to not being willing to trading him at the moment.

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Injury notes: Peckham, Sutton, Mitchell, Gerbe, Hamhuis, Booth, Kassian, Kesler, Briere, Iginla, Hossa and Meszaros

  • Jim Matheson via twitter: The Oilers have recalled defenseman Taylor Fedum, so Theo Peckham’s hip injury may keep him out awhile.
  • Curtis Zupke via twitter: Kings coach Darryl Sutter said that defenseman Willie Mitchell had knee surgery and “he’s way behind.” “Now it’s almost seven” weeks instead of a couple.
  • John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Sabres Nathan Gerbe will start the year on the IR. He’s been skating with teammates, but hasn’t been cleared for heavy contact yet.
  • Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks Dan Hamhuis and David Booth are day-to-day with groin strains. Winger Zach Kassian didn’t skate yesterday  due to back spasms, and is day-to-day. GM Mike Gillis suggests that Ryan Kesler will be back sooner than later,

    “His spot isn’t going to be vacant for a long period of time,” Gillis said. “Ryan’s had a really good three weeks, although you never have a definite time table on these things. He’s a competitor and I know he wants to play.”

  • Randy Miller via twitter: Flyers Daniel Briere has a hairline fracture but it’s getting better. He’s out for the first 2 games for sure.
  • Tim Sassone via twitter: Blackhawks Marian Hossa says he has no health issues and ”when I step on the ice my head is clear.”
  • Frank Servalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Flyers defenseman, Andrej Meszaros, tore his Achilles’ last July but hasn’t ruled himself out for Saturday’s season opener. Daniel Briere won’t be ready for the opener, but could be ready for their game against the Devils on January 22nd.

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LA Kings Update: Kopitar and Mitchell’s knee injuries, Lombardi not interested in trading Bernier

  • Helene Elliott via twitter: Kings GM Dean Lombardi said the prognosis made on Anze Kopitar’s knee in Sweden was basically right, 2-3 weeks recovery is expected.
  • Helene Elliott via twitter: Lombardi said it’s not easy to put a time-frame on Willie Mitchell’s knee injury. It’s not structural. He has stopped skating.
  • Dennis Bernstein via twitter: GMs have spoken to each other throughout the lockout, and Lombardi says that he doesn’t expect a rush of deals before the season starts.
  • John Hoven via twitter: Lombardi confirms that he is not interested in trading Jonathan Bernier anytime soon. He’s ‘Too valuable right now.”
  • John Hoven of Mayors Manor: Lombardi on possibility of a Bernier trade:

    “I don’t think that’s feasible at all right now. He’s an important part of this team. Let’s face it, our guys in the minors aren’t ready for that role. And that’s an important role. Like Darryl [Sutter] says, with all these games back-to-back and stuff – hey, a number two starter in baseball is pretty important and that’s the way a goaltender is. (So), I don’t see how that’s possible. He’s too important to us.”

    Lombardi on what to say to a guy who has let it be known that he wouldn’t mind getting out, but who you need right now:

    “Be a pro. There’s a system in place. It’s called the Collective Bargaining Agreement. At some point players – (after a pause) that’s the way it is. Obviously, if the right thing is there for the team, you look at it. But, you can’t be responding to this without the number one focus being on the team and he’s too important to the team. Unless something hits us that’s really going to help this team, it’s not feasible. Now, there’s a time limit on that, it’s called the CBA – where you don’t have that choice as a General Manager anymore and you do what’s best. But, that’s the system.”

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Crosby out 2 games … Brassard will eventually be traded … Kings injury update … Booth out 4-6 weeks … Will Sutton get suspended?

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Penguins sent a news release out yesterday that Sidney Crosby will miss the next 2 games. He didn’t feel good after taking a hit on Monday against the Bruins.

    “He saw Dr. Micky Collins of UPMC today and took an ImPACT test, which showed no problems. However, we all think it’s best that he sits out the next two games as a precaution,” Pens GM Ray Shero said in a release.

    “We’re being cautious and keeping in mind he was off for a long time,’’ Shero later told ESPN.com via text message before a flight Wednesday evening. “Take a step back here and see how he feels in a few days.’’

    Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets will probably trade Derick Brassard at some point. His career has stalled in Columbus and his agent sounded off on the coaching staff. Brassard has been a healthy scratch for 8 of the last 12 games. His trade value is not high at the moment. His $3.2 million cap hit may look better as the season goes on.

  • Pierre LeBrun chat on ESPN: LeBrun thinks if/when the NHL does decide to expand, another Toronto team, Quebec City and Seattle could work. Devils winger Zach Parise is not available for trade at the moment, but that could change later. Bobby Ryan could go back on the trade market if the Ducks continue to struggle. If Parise does become available, the Kings would be interested. Flames GM Jay Feaster wants to blow up the team but he has a dozen no-trade clauses to deal with.
  • Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: Kings Alec Martinez is fully cleared and is able to return to the lineup when ever the coaches decide to insert him. Winger Justin Williams status for today is not known, he took a shot off his hand. Willie Mitchell’s status for tonight could be decided this morning. Murray did say that both Martinez and Mitchell won’t return tonight. Center Mike Richards hasn’t skated since last Thursday: Murray said: “Richards is progressing. That’s all I can say. That’s all I know, really. He’s in every day, riding the bike, getting more acclimated, getting exercise and a feel for his own self.’’
  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks winger David Booth sprained his MCL on a knee-on-knee hit from the Avs Kevin Porter, and will be out 4 to 6 weeks. Coach Vigneault confirmed that Roberto Luongo will start in net tonight in Montreal. Bob McKenzie via twitter: Porter has a hearing with Brendan Shanahan today for the hit.
  • Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Maple Leafs winger Colby Armstrong is about a week away from returning from his high ankle sprain. “I had no clue what it would take,” said Armstrong. “It’s a battle. It’s a lingering bitch of an injury. But as soon as they let me go, I can’t wait to get out.”
  • Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets winger Kristian Huselius will be out weeks with a groin injury. He’s been out 68 of the last 92 Blue Jackets games.
  • Oilers defenseman Andy Sutton could be looking at another suspension after his hit on Hurricanes Alexei Ponikarovsky. Do you think he’ll get suspended? How many games?

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Brodeur isn’t thinking retirement. PHX moving to Quebec City next year? Blue Jackets reject ‘Canes trade offer … Injury notes for your fantasy hockey teams

  • Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star: Thoughts of retirement haven’t crept into Martin Brodeur’s mind yet.

    “I haven’t given any thought to that,” Brodeur said. “There might be a time when I have to ask that question but I’m not ready to ask it yet.”

  • Eric Francis via twitter: For those questioning 16 teams in the “West” and 14 in the “East” – “that will be taken care of when Phx moves to Que City next year”
  • Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson turned down a trade offer from the Hurricanes last month. The ‘Canes offered Tomas Kaberble and a 2nd round pick for Derick Brassard.
  • Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: The Flyers don’t have interest in free agent defenseman Bryan McCabe and Flames dman Cory Sarich. Even if Sarich was put on re-entry waiver (hasn’t been waived) they wouldn’t be interested.
  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo left last night’s game in the 2nd period after taking a shot to the throat by Gabriel L.

    “I already told Alain I’m good to go Thursday,” Luongo joked. We think, although he is good to go. “The neck was fine,” he continued. “I just didn’t feel like myself for a little while there. Not that there’s much oxygen up there to begin with. I had trouble breathing for a few seconds there. I felt fine afterward, just a little light-headed the rest of the way. I was just basically trying to catch my breath.”

    David Booth was involved in a knee-on-knee hit and will have a MRI done today.

  • Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: Bruins forward Tyler Seguin was scratched last night for missing a mandatory team meeting and breakfast yesterday morning. “I did set an alarm. I woke up to it, but it wasn’t Winnipeg time, it was Boston time. I guess I got in late and didn’t think to change it. It was a mistake. I’ve got to live with it.” Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said it wasn’t the first time that he’s broken a team rule.
  • Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Wild goalie Josh Harding left after only 71 seconds into last night’s game. Harding was accidentally elbowed in the head by teammate Nick Schultz. Matt Hackett made his NHL debut. Devin Setoguchi also left the game with an undisclosed injury.
  • Sam Carchidi via twitter: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said James van Riemsdyk is available for tonight against the Sabres.
  • Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Avalanche winger Peter Mueller had been out with a groin injury, is now back to being out with a head injury. He’s only been able to play 18 games over the last 3 seasons.
  • Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen, who just came back from a foot injury, suffered an upper-body injury last night.

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Flames GM talks Iginla, Coaching and Sarich … Richards to IR, Penner off … Perron to return tonight … Backstrom leaves after 1st

  • Scott Cruickshank of the Calgary Herald: Flames GM Jay Feaster on Jarome Iginla rumors (video at the bottom of the post):

    “Yours? OK, I’ll look straight into yours and I will tell you that it is not true. Jarome Iginla has not been asked to waive his no-trade (clause). Jarome Iginla has not demanded a trade or asked for a trade. There is no list. There is no smoking gun. This is nobody on the grassy knoll. What else do you need?”

    Feaster on the Flames coaching:

    “You know what? I’m happy with this coaching staff — that’s probably the dreaded vote of confidence or whatever they call it,” said Feaster. “This coaching staff has done a good job. They work hard. They have done a good job of teaching. We all know the results are not where they need to be. But, despite the results not being there, this is not a group (of players) that has tuned out the coaches. There’s no issue, from my perspective, with Brent or his coaches.”

    Feaster on Cory Sarich’s trade request:

    “Whether that’s in my office or on the bus or in the hotel suite or in the corridor on the road, those conversations are not something I feel comfortable about sharing with the media,” said Feaster. “Cory’s an important part of the group here. Cory’s an important part of the mix right now. It isn’t just the kids that have an opportunity (in the absence of Giordano) … that includes Cory.”

  • Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators are interested in Blue Jackets Derick Brassard, but he’s a bit of gamble with 2 years left at a $3.2 million cap hit.
  • LA Daily News: The Kings put Mike Richards on the IR and activated Dustin Penner. Richards is expected to miss at least a few games. Willie Mitchell will miss several games with a lower body injury.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson missed last nights game with a pulled groin that he suffered at a bag skate. Peter Muller also injured his groin at the same skate.
  • Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom left after the 1st period last night with a lower-body injury. Coach Mike Yeo doesn’t think the injury is “extremely serious.”

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Afternoon notes on Iginla, Sarich, Giordano, Krejci, Richards, Walker, Hamrlik, Huselius, Brown, Franson, Reimer and starting goalies

  • Randy Sportak via twitter: Flames GM Jay Feaster denies the rumors that Jarome Iginla has been asked to waive his no-trade clause. David Amber via twitter: Since the Flames are at the bottom of the standings and Mark Giordano is out indefinitely, IF Amber was the GM, he’d ask Iginla to waive his no-trade and do a rebuild.
  • Jermain Franklin via twitter: Flames defenseman Mark Giordano is out indefinitely with ruptured tendons in his leg. He’ll be re-evaluated in 3 weeks, where he’ll get another MRI.
  • James Murphy via twitter: Murphy notes that just because David Krejci has signed for 3 years, doesn’t mean that he won’t be traded by the end of the deal.
  • Mark Masters via twitter: Leafs coach Ron Wilson thinks that defenseman Cody Franson will be in the lineup on Saturday.
  • Brian McNally via twitter: Lines at Capitals practice: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Brouwer. Semin-JOhansson-Knuble/Eakin. Chimera-Laich-Ward. Hendricks-Perreault-Halpern.
  • David Alter via twitter: Lines at Maple Leafs practice: Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Frattin-Connolly-MacArthur, Crabb-Grabovski-Kulemin, Dupuis-Colborne-Steckel, extras, Orr, Rosehhill.
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Martin Brodeur will start in net for the Devils tonight. Johan Hedberg will start on Saturday.
  • Dan Tencer via twitter: Devan Dubynk will start in net for the Oilers tonight. Nikolai Khabibulin will start tomorrow against the Flames.

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Brassard’s agent issues statement … Parise’s dad talks about Zach’s situation … Richards leaves game … Lehtonen out at least 3 weeks … Plenty scouting Car-NYR

  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Columbus forward Derick Brassard has been a healthy scratch for 7 of the last 10 games. He’s said all the right things, but his agent, Allen Walsh has had enough and released this statement:

    “While I have tremendous respect for (general manager) Scott Howson and the rest of Columbus’ management team, the situation regarding Derick Brassard has become untenable. The coach has a history of burying players and using them as scapegoats to mask his own lack of success on the ice. Derick has been singled out, almost from the very beginning of the season, to be the fall guy in case things don’t go well. The Columbus organization cares about Derick and has been good to him, but at some point, one has to say, enough is enough.”

  • Elliotte Friedman via twitter: From Friedman’s understanding, Brassard will be staying with the team. The Blue Jackets have tried hard to trade him. Ottawa is interested.
  • Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune: Zach Parise’s father on his son’s future:

    “Money will be a factor, of course,” J.P. Parise said. “But he likes to win, he likes to have a chance, he likes to compete. … That’s why he decided to accept a one-year contract. He wants to see where [the Devils] are heading, what kind of players they have. They have acquired some good young players. He’s not going to rush into anything. He’ll take his time, analyze the whole thing.”

  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Zach Parise on re-signing with the NJ Devils: “It’s what I hope for. We can’t do anything right now by league rules, so we’ll wait ’til we can.”
  • Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider: Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell left after 1 shift. Forward Mike Richards took a high hit from Panthers Sean Bergenheim in the 2nd period, and didn’t return for the 3rd. Asked if they’d be out multiple games, Terry Murray responded: “I hope not. I don’t know that. We haven’t got a full report yet. The doctors, trainers are busy evaluating and they’ll probably let me know before I get away here tonight. We’ll have a better idea tomorrow.”
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski is expected to get his cast off today, and his hoping for a Dec. 9th return. Brenden Morrow and Trevor Daley will be out this week, but hope to return for Dec. 8th. Goaltender Kari Lehtonen, out with an groin injury, will be out at least 3 weeks.
  • Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers forward Taylor Hall said his shoulder feels great, but contact is an issue. He’s ahead of schedule though.
  • Lance Hornby via twitter: Gary Bettman said he’s “not sure” if a decision on realignment will be done by next week’s BOG meetings.
  • Andy Strickland via twitter: David Perron didn’t travel with the Blues to Colorado, as they didn’t want the altitude to create any imbalance in his system. We could play on Saturday, a flu/cold has been going around the team and it may have set him back a bit.
  • Dustin Leed via twitter: Leed thinks Flyers defenseman Matt Walker will get claimed off waivers. Leed notes that GM Holmgren said a day or two ago that everyone was looking for a defenseman.
  • Luke DeCock via twitter: Scouts at the Hurricanes-Rangers game: Capitals, Senators, Canucks, Maple Leafs, Predators, Avalanche, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Kings, and Stars. 12 scouts the Hurricanes’ AHL team the previous night.

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A quiet Leafs summer … Hulsizer candidate to by Blues … Possible retirees this year and next

  • George Popalis of the Toronto Sun: The Maple Leafs have been quiet this summer with regards to the free agent market, not doing anything since Tim Connolly, and it’s probably a good thing. Over paying for someone and talking away a roster spot for a someone in their young core may not be the best for the team. Nazem Kadri, Joe Colborne, Luca Caputi, Matt Frattin, Jerry D’Amigo, Jake Gardiner and Jesse Blacker are all in their early 20′s and deserve a good look at camp.
  • Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Matthew Hulsizer is one of the candidates attempting to buy the St. Louis Blues. It’s expected that Hulsizer will submit a bid to buy the Blues. The deadline to submit a bid is today. Current minority owner Tom Stillman is also expected to make a bid.
  • Lyle Richardson of Spector’s Hockey: Spector lists some players who could retire this year or next: Teemu Selanne, Mike Modano, Cory Stillman, Marty Turco, John Madden, Sergei Samsonov, Mike Grier. Possible candidates for retiring next summer: Martin Brodeur, Nicklas Lidstrom, Sheldon Souray, Jason Blake, Saku Koivu, Sean Avery, Jaroslav Spacek, Filip Kuba, Willie Mitchell, Jaromir Jagr, Ray Whitney and Steve Sullivan.

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Changes to Revenue Sharing coming? Caps to play in Russia … Possible returns tonight: Selanne, Johnson, Pietrangelo and Ehrhoff

  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Chris Osgood was originally penciled in to start tonight in Chicago, but a team captain talked Mike Babcock into having him start Osgood on Sunday at home so he could possibly get his 400th win at home.
  • Jake Leonard of the SF Chronicle: Potential suitors for Evgeni Nabokov could be: Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars.
  • Helene Elliott via twitter: Matt Green has headed back to LA to get his head looked at. Willie Mitchell is headed to Nashville to see a doctor about a lower body injury.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: After missing the last 4 games with a groin injury, Teemu Selanne is set to re-join his Ducks teammates against the Hurricanes tonight.
  • Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Christian Ehrhoff practiced with Canucks teammates yesterday for the first time since December 8th when he suffered a head injury. It was initially thought to be a concussion but turned out to be a vertigo issue.
  • Mike Ziesberger of the Toronto Sun: There’s a chance that Nazem Kadri will be a healthy scratch tonight versus the Canucks. He was practicing with the 4th line yesterday.

    “I need to understand that chipping the puck in is not such a bad thing. The little turnovers at their blue line and at our blue line are things I need to change.

    “I’ll get it right. I’ll get my head around it. It caught me off-guard a bit. I’ve been going hard and I think things have been going pretty good but I guess there are things I need to improve.”

  • Chris Botta of the NY Times: The way the league’s revenue sharing works with lower-profile teams could change in the next C.B.A. according to Deputy Commish Bill Daily. In the current C.B.A., teams with TV market of over $2.5 million wouldn’t qualify for revenue sharing, which would include Anaheim, NY Islanders, and NJ Devils.

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