Afternoon Hits: Clarkson, Projecting Blue Jackets roster, Stepan, Jets and Predators
  • Chris Johnston: League spokesman said that Maple Leafs David Clarkson has yet to officially file an appeal. He has until tomorrow night to start the process. John Shannon: Possibility of appeal explains Clarkson’s silence. His comments could have been used in hearing. If there is an appeal, it would go to Gary Bettman first, and then to a Neutral Discipline Arbitrator (James Oldham) if the decision wasn’t overturned by Bettman.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets ‘informed speculation’:FORWARDSLocks (11): Artem Anisimov, Cam Atkinson, Matt Calvert, Blake Comeau, Brandon Dubinsky, Nick Foligno, Marian Gaborik, Boone Jenner, Ryan Johansen, Mark Letestu, R.J. Umberger.
    Looking good (1): Jack Skille.
    Bubble (1): Cody Bass.
    Out (2): Michael Chaput, Ryan Craig.
    Injured (3): Jared Boll, Nathan Horton, Derek MacKenzie.

    DEFENSEMEN

    Locks (5): Jack Johnson, Ryan Murray,  Dalton Prout, Fedor Tyutin, James Wisniewski.
    Looking good (1): Tim Erixon.
    Bubble (3): Cody Goloubef, Ilari Melart, David Savard.
    Out (1): Will Weber.
    Injured (1): Nikita Nikitin.

    GOALTENDERS

    Locks (1): Sergei Bobrovsky.
    Bubble (2): Mike McKenna, Jeremy Smith.
    Injured (1): Curtis McElhinney.

  • Larry Brooks: Rangers Derek Stepan’s agent refused to comment on Glen Sather’s comments from yesterday (found here). Both sides have talked in the past 48 hours, but little progress has been made. Stepan is still looking for around $7 million over two year, with Rangers offering around $6 million over two years.
  • Winnipeg Jets: The Jets have reassigned to AHL: Adam Lowry, Eric O’Dell, Ivan Telegin and Andrew Gordon (pending waivers). To WHL: Josh Morrissey.
  • Bob Duff: Predators reassign Austin Watson to the AHL.