The Toronto Maple Leafs have been in a quick slide downhill, which was exacerbated by a surprising two-game series loss to the Vancouver Canucks who had just finished fighting a bigger battle than any opposing team. More than 25 players, coaches (head coach Travis Green was especially ill), and their families were battling a very
Ben Hutton
Scouting the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers Dan Kingerski: Scouts listed to attend yesterday’s Penguins-Panthers game: New York Rangers (local scout), New York Islanders, Winnipeg Jets (Director of Scouting), Nashville Predators and the Philadelphia Flyers. Scouting the Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning Murray Pam: Scouts listed to attend Saturday’s Senators-Lightning game: Dallas Stars, Detroit
A couple of needs for the Penguins Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pittsburgh Penguins have a 21-11-4 record coming out of the break despite dealing with a ton of injuries. Ahead of the trade deadline the Penguins could use a shooting winger that can score. The Penguins have scouted Ottawa Senators frequently. Potential
31 Thoughts Rumor Roundup Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: It is believed that Dustin Byfuglien‘s ankle hasn’t healed as much as they had hoped. The Winnipeg Jets would have traded Jacob Trouba anyways, but they would have planned differently with regards to Byfuglien. There will be trade rumors involving Justin Faulk and Rasmus Ristolainen. The Jets
In today’s NHL rumor rundown there is news on a few free agents now that Mitch Marner is signed, including Matthew Tkachuk and the Calgary Flames, and Brayden Point and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Plus, Kevin Fiala is not at Minnesota’s training camp, while two Anaheim Ducks will miss the entire season. Finally, where will
Frolik still knows he could be moved Eric Francis of Sportsnet: Calgary Flames forward Michael Frolik realizes that the Flames may need to move out salary to re-sign restricted free agents Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane, and that it could be him on the move. “I know something probably will happen,” said the Flames 31-year-old
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Kings injury notes Jon Rosen: Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake said that Gabriel Vilardi won’t be on the ice during training camp. Vilardi “is progressing in his rehab” and is “farther along in rehab than any part in last 12 months.” John Hoven: Vilardi will be at the camp
© Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports Kings in the hunt for Hutton Dennis Bernstein: The Los Angeles Kings are still in the mix for free agent defenseman Ben Hutton. Can expect a decision from Hutton coming soon. If the Flames want to clear some salary cap space Brian Costello: The Calgary Flames have $7.7 million in
© Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports Hall could look for Panarin money … Expect Marner to be the first RFA to sign Dan Rosen of NHL.com: (mailbag) Think that Taylor Hall will sign a long-term contract extension with the New Jersey Devils but it may not happen until at least halfway through the year. Hall can
Now that the calendar has flipped to August, the PTOs are going to start coming fast and furious. There have already been a couple announced — Michal Neuvirth in Toronto and Chris Stewart in Philadelphia — but with training camps just over a month away, most of the players still without contracts are contemplating professional
In today’s NHL rumor rundown there is news on the New Jersey Devils and how close they might be to a deal with Will Butcher, the Washington Capitals have two big stars looking for two big contracts, Ben Hutton is drawing interest from a number of teams even though the Vancouver Canucks have moved on
report this ad It’s been a bad month for the Winnipeg Jets’ blue line. Rugged, sturdy defenseman Ben Chiarot is the most recent departure in what’s been a mass exodus from the Jets’ d-corp. On Thursday, he signed a three-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the third experienced d-man this offseason — following closely
The Buffalo Sabres to add a former Flame Chris Johnston: It’s sounding like the Buffalo Sabres will be signing Curtis Lazar to a one-way contract. The Calgary Flames didn’t qualify him. GM Botterill won’t comment on Ristolainen and if there was a trade request Lance Lysowski: Sabres GM Jason Botterill wouldn’t say if defenseman Rasmus
Canucks knew weeks ago Luongo could be retiring TSN Radio Vancouver: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 1040 on Roberto Luongo retiring and the cap recapture the Vancouver Canucks are now facing. “I know that (Luongo’s) camp reached out to warn the #canucks weeks ago that this was a possibility, so Vancouver could plan around it. But
Ristolainen had been in the rumor mill WGR 550: Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill on defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen: “We need top-four guys that can handle several different things on the blue line. He certainly has his faults, but we like what he does with his matchups. It’s our job to surround him with enough talent
31 Thoughts rumor roundup Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Sources are saying that Ralph Krueger is climbing on the Buffalo Sabres list of potential coaching candidates. It’s believed that Jacques Martin is out. Dave Tippet may be more destined to the Edmonton Oilers. John Shannon reported that Todd Richards is out. The Ottawa Senators are looking
Boeser’s camp open to anything Rick Dhaliwal: (last week) Vancouver Canucks Brock Boeser‘s agent Ben Hankinson on Sportsnet 650: “There are some big contracts coming down the pipe and Brock just trying to figure out where I fit in all of this. We are open to anything with the #Canucks.” Rick Dhaliwal: Hankinson on Boeser’s
Image from the Vancouver Giants Gusev looking to join the Golden Knights Igor Eronko: Heard that Nikita Gusev is looking to join the Vegas Golden Knights for their playoffs. Darren Dreger: Gusev’s KHL contract runs through the end of April. His agent JP Barry, CAA Sports and his Russian agent are working on getting his