- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Sidney Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, said that it would cost as much as $400,000 to insure Crosby if he were to go overseas. Crosby was interested in playing in Max Talbot’s charity games in Quebec before he was told the insurance cost was prohibitive. He still hasn’t ruled out Europe if a wealthy owner can absorb the cost.
- Erik Erlendsson the Tampa Bay Tribune: Lightning’s Brendan Mikkelson signed with Vasteras HK of Sweden’s 2nd division.
- Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks Jannik Hansen signed with Tappara of the Finnish Elite League.
- David Pagnotta via twitter: Maple Leafs Joffrey Lupul signed with Avtomobilist of the KHL. Slava Malamud via twitter: “Lupul isn’t eligible to sign in KHL due to the league’s rules. In the KHL, though, rules are merely hurdles, not obstacles, so let’s see.”
- Craig Custance via twitter: Wild’s Devin Setoguchi signed with Ontario of the ECHL.
- Brodie Brazil via twitter: Sharks Ryane Clowe is practicing with the ECHL’s SF Bulls. David Pollak via twitter: Clowe had to signed a deal with the SF Bulls just to practice with them. The plan is just to practice with them.
- Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Devils Travis Zajac is considering heading over to Europe. His agent, Kurt Overhardt, “He might be going over to play in the next few weeks.”
- Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Senators Peter Regin has returned after playing 4 games with SC Langenthal of the Swiss National League B. He appeared to be a replacement for Jeff Campbell while he was injured. Campbell was the teams leading scorer last year.
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Matt Cullen, in the last year of his deal, knows that he could get squeezed out next year if the season is lost.
“There are guys here that this is going to snowball on,” said Ray Ferraro, who played 18 years in the NHL. “I’m talking about veterans, and I’m talking about guys that have played 45, 100 games. They’re in a bad spot, and there’s nothing you can do now. Now you’re hanging on to the train, and you just hope you don’t get bucked off and you never get to play again.”
“You’re gone and you’re forgotten and that’s it,” Cullen said. “It’s sad, but lots of guys’ careers ended with the last lockout and that’ll definitely be the case this time. Guys are just going to be gone, vanished.”
Brian Rolston knows his career is likely over.
“I’m realistic. I’ll be 40 years old,” Rolston said. “If there’s half a season, maybe somebody will be willing to sign an older player. But I’m not holding my breath. I’m content if I have to retire.”
Ferraro added,
“When you walk into the dressing room and talk to Teemu Selanne, the day’s a better day. Yet Teemu’s not coming back if they miss a year,” Ferraro said. “Daniel Alfredsson has left his guts on the ice for Ottawa for 17 years and he’s going to go away?
- Taylor Hall via twitter: Officially off the IR.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: Injured players get paid in full and don’t have escrow money taken out of each pay either.
