- Nick Ctsonika via twitter: Bill Daley said they continue to talk with 2 prospective buyers for the Phoenix Coyotes. As long as it’s progressing, they’ll continue to work towards keeping the team there. Renaud Lavoie via twitter: The NHL says that there are multiple groups that are interested in putting a team in Quebec City. Craig Custance of ESPN: In the long term, the new conference are set up to easily add expansion teams.
“Yes, you could do that. Depending on where they’re located, you might have to do some reshuffling,” commissioner Gary Bettman said following the conclusion of the board of governors meetings. “But there was no discussion of expansion.”
The NHL can’t shop for a new city for the Coyotes until after Dec. 31st. It’s unlikely they would do another 1 year deal with the City of Glendale if they can’t find a buyer for the team. Custance lists the 5 most attractive cities for the NHL: 1. Quebec City 2. Southern Ontario 3. Seattle 4. Kansas City 5. Las Vegas.
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: It doesn’t make any sense for the Oilers to trade Sam Gagner right now. If the right package is put together, anyone is tradable though. He’s willing to take the right pay package to remain an Oiler.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Portzline sensed from Blue Jackets GM that nothing is imminent with Derick Brassard, or that there is even anything on the table for him.
- Terry Koshan via twitter: Brian Burke’s self imposed Christmas roster freeze goes into effect on Friday the 9th, 10 days before the NHL roster freeze.
- Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Today marked the first full practice for Devils forward Travis Zajac. He’s expected back before Christmas. Can Janssen is not practicing today due to a chest contusion. Lines and defensive pairings: Forwards; Zach Parise-Adam Henrique-Ilya Kovalchuk; Mattias Tedenby-Patrik Elias-Petr Sykora; Dainius Zubrus-Ryan Carter-David Clarkson; Eric Boulton-Tim Sestito-Nick Palmieri; Rod Pelley-Travis Zajac. Defensemen: Henrik Tallinder, Mark Fanye; Andy Greene, Anton Volchenkov, Bryce Salvador-Adam Larsson; Mark Fraser.
- Ian Mendes via twitter: Senators defenseman Filip Kuba was put on the IR with a left shoulder injury. He’ll be out 3 to 4 weeks.
- Tim Panaccio via twitter: Flyers forward Brayden Schenn is not on the trip. GM Paul Holmgren said he’s day-to-day with an upper body injury. Sam Carchidi via twitter: The Flyers said yesterday that Schenn was healthy, but apparently he still has a foot issue. they are hopeful he can play on Thursday. Carchidi added that apparently Schenn is bothered by both an upper and lower body injury.
- Mark Stepneski via twitter: Stars Trevor Daley and Alex Goligoski will be in the lineup tomorrow. Brenden Morrow is likely in as well.
- Stephen Whyno of the Washington: Capitals Mike Green and Jay Beagle both skated on Monday and Tuesday, but there is no timetable for their return. Roman Hamrlik is skating as well and is day-to-day.
- Randy Sportak via twitter: Flames Goalie Henrik Karlsson has MCL tear and is out 6 to 8 weeks.
- 630Ched.com: Devan Debnyk will start in net for the Oilers. Forward lines: Ryan Smyth – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jordan Eberle, Sam Gagner – Shawn Horcoff – Ales Hemsky, Magnus Paajarvi – Eric Belanger – Ryan Jones, Ben Eager – Anton Lander – Lennart Petrell. Defensive Pairings: Ladislav Smid – Tom Gilbert, Ryan Whitney – Jeff Petry, Theo Peckham – Andy Sutton.
- Tim Panaccio via twitter: Ilya Bryzgalov will start in net for the Flyers tonight.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: Jaroslav Halak is expected to start for the Blues tomorrow against the Ducks.