- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Alexei Kovalev feels that coach he’s being picked on by coach Cory Clouston with his demotion to the 4th line,
“That’s the way it looks right now,” he said. I’m not the only one not playing well, so nothing I can do about it. He decides to pick me. It has been happening all my career.”
He’s not sure why he’s being criticized for his play,
“I just don’t understand, because sometimes when you start playing well and everything goes well and then starts the brain-picking again. I don’t know why it keeps happening. Why don’t they just let me play the way I can? I don’t know if it’s some kind of jealousy or something else, I have no idea. I’ve been asking that question all my career and it just keeps happening.”
- Rebekah Sanders of the Arizona Republic: The city of Glendale and Matthew Hulsizer have reached an agreement, and it will go to City Council vote on Tuesday. Glendale would give $197 million of 5 years (the arena cost less than $197 million to build), $100 would be upfront and Hulsizer would use it to off-set the $170 million cost to buy the team. Glendale will take over the 5,500 parking spots around the arena and charge a fee to help (along with other things) cover the remaining $97 million over 5 years. There are several ‘agrees to’ for both sides that are worth checking out, such as to attempt to rename to Arizona Coyotes and to keep the team there for 23 years.
- Spector’s Hockey: He’s hearing that Marco Sturm could be dealt to the LA Kings today.
- Sam Kasan of NHL.com: Penguins coach Dan Bylsma had this to say about the report that Jordan Staal had another broken bone in his hand,
“If you’re referencing an internet report that said there was another break, then that is not true,” Bylsma said. “He’s continuing on the same course. He has the pin out. There is calcification and we have another scheduled x-ray. We hope to continue seeing the healing that is taken place. He’s on that rehab program.”
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Columbus Blue Jackets have sent struggling forward Nikita Filatov to the minors. In 23 games Filatov has no goals, 7 assists and only 31 shot.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Milan Hejduk scored that game winning goal last night, but left shortly after with a groin pull. They’ll no more on the extent of the injury today as groin injuries usually worse after the first 24 hours.
- Terry Koshan and Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs defenseman Mike Komisarek will be out 7 – 10 days, “He got tangled up in one of the scuffles and hurt his fingers,” coach Ron Wilson said.
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Pittsburgh Penguins have called up AHL scoring leader (13 goals and 17 assists in 25 games) Dustin Jeffery.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: NJ Devils Gionta and Magnan cleared waivers yesterday. The Blues put Chris Porter on waivers.
- Linus Omark shootout goal is his first NHL game. Reactions from Damian Cristodero’s article: “A … joke,” left wing Ryan Malone said. Asked if it was disrespectful, defenseman Mattias Ohlund said, “Absolutely.” “It’s embarrassing for him,” Ellis said. “You come into a league, a respectful league like this, and you try a little move like that. It’s not a very classy thing. That’s just the kind of person he is.”