Mark Easson

21684 Articles

NHL Rumors II: Goalie Market, Subban and Cammalleri

Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The Capitals appear to be ready to go with Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer between the pipes next year. Evgeni Nabokov could return to the Islanders in a backup role. Anders Nilsson appears…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors I: Coaching Edition – Babcock, Carlyle, Keenan and Stevens

Hope Smoke: Doug MacLean: "I wouldn't be surprised if Holland and Babcock make a joint decision on Mike leaving. There is too much respect between the two" ... "Not a lot of love between Babcock and his players. People think there is, but…

Mark Easson

Morning Hits: Injury updates, Kopitar, MSG, Laviolette and Winter Classic in Minnesota

Chad Graff: Wild coach Mike Yeo was told that Ryan Suter's injury was "nothing serious". At this time of year though, little is "serious." Chicago Blackhawks: Niklas Hjalmarsson was cleared to play last night, but not cleared to talk after…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors III: Red Wings, Sharks, Maple Leafs and Coyotes

Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said they need a "right-handed shot" to improve their blueline. It will be one of their priorities this offseason, either through free agency or trade. “Right-shot defensemen are at a premium…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors II: Flyers, Avalanche, Maple Leafs and Capitals

 Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers don't have a lot of cap flexibility and are likely stuck with Scott Hartnell (five years, $4.75 million cap hit remaining) and Vinny Lecavalier's (four years, $4.5 million cap hit remaining) contracts.…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors I: Coaching Edition – Panthers, Hurricanes, Sharks, Leafs and Predators

Josh Rimer: There have been 34 coaching changes in a little over three years. Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: "This is a funny business. Three-four years ago Guy Boucher had his pick of any job and now he's in Switzerland" Harvey Fialkov:…

Mark Easson

Morning Hits: Hurricanes, Panthers, Blackhawks, Flames and a Visnovsky Jersey

Carolina Hurricanes: The Hurricanes have relieved head coach Kirk Muller and assistant coaches John MacLean and Dale Lewis of their duties. Goalie coach Greg Stefan was reassigned to their pro scouting department. Assistant coach Rob Brind'Amour will remain. Harvey Fialkov:…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors III: Pavelec, Boyle and Gagner

Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press: The Jets are a budget team, so using a buyout may not be an option. Buying out Ondrej Pavelec would cost the Jets $8.5 million over six years. The Fourth Period: Sharks Dan…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors II: Flyers, Coyotes, Wings, Blue Jackets, Avalanche and Whitney

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson wonders if the Flyers could buyout Vincent Lecavalier. He has four years left on his five year, $22.5 million deal. He played under nine minutes in their Game 7 match-up with the Rangers.…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors I: Wings, Sharks, Niskanen, Fiddler, Boyle, Gretzky and Carlyle

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Red Wings GM Ken Holland won't let teams talk to their Grand Rapids (AHL) coach Jeff Blashill. They can't afford to lose him if they can't sign coach Mike Babcock to a long-term deal.…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors II: Leafs, Predators, Blues, Wings, Avs, Sharks, Flyers and Offer Sheets

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: An NHL executive on pending RFA James Reimer:  “If I’m the Leafs, I don’t make him a qualifying (restricted free agent) offer. The reason, you can’t get much for him in a trade. So…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors I: State of Florida Edition

Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning's Ryan Malone is still in the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program. It is believed that players in this program can still be bought out. The buyout period starts 48 hours after…

Mark Easson