Mark Easson

21861 Articles

NHL Rumors II: Fighters, Boychuk, Martin, Johansen, Boyle and Stastny

Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: The heavyweight fighters may be on the decline, and pending UFA tough guys may be on their last contract: Shawn Thorton, John Scott, Michael Haley, George Parros, Mike Rupp, Cam Janssen, Steve MacIntyre, Ben…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors I: R.J. Umberger Requests Trade Out of Columbus

Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: There is a mutual agreement between R.J. Umberger and the Blue Jackets management that a trade out of Columbus would be a good idea. Umberger was a healthy scratch for four games towards the…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors III: Ducks, Trade Talk, Sharks, Penguins, Gretzky and Canucks

Craig Custance of ESPN: Three priorities for the Anaheim Ducks this off-season. 1. Target Jason Spezza or Ryan Kesler in a trade - GM Bob Murray should bring in a No. 2 center. The Ducks have lots of young assets…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors II: Boyle, Iginla, Selanne, Wild and Laich

Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: The Sharks only offered defenseman Dan Boyle a one-year deal. He was looking for a two-year deal. Contract talks didn't progress any further. “Even though I was kind of expecting it a little bit,…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors I: Pittsburgh Penguins – Lots Will Be Up To New GM

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Click link for full interview with Penguins owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle. DK: So, what are we looking at here, some massive overhaul? Lemieux: That’s going to be up to the GM. That’s why we’re…

Mark Easson

Morning Hits: Konopka, Lucic, Gustafsson and Scouting Ekblad

James Duthie: Sources saying that Sabres Zenon Konopka was suspended for taking DHEA, which is an over the counter supplement. It was recommended to him by a non-team doctor. Amalie Benjamin: Bruins Milan Lucic on the handshake: "I'm not sorry that…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors IV: Penguins and Bruins

Update: Penguins GM Ray Shero is fired, Dan Bylsma hasn't been fired. Bob McKenzie: The Penguins will announce this morning that GM Ray Shero and head coach Dan Bylsma have been fired. Will DePaoli of Insider Pittsburgh Sports: (posted before this…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors III: Capitals, Ducks, Kings, Leafs and Panthers

The Fourth Period: Capitals pending UFAs Mikhail Grabovski and Dustin Penner may not be back next year. Their new GM will ultimately decide, but it's "unlikely" according to a source close to the organization. Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: "If Anaheim doesn't…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors II: The Sharks and Maple Leafs

San Jose Sharks: Sharks GM Doug Wilson said that pending UFA defenseman Dan Boyle will not be back next season. Wilson added that they will be moving Brent Burns back to the defense next year. Martin Havlat has been told that he won't…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors I: Vancouver Canucks – GM Search, Tortorella Wanted a Burrows Buyout and Ignored Green

Vancouver Canucks: Trevor Linden: “The GM search process has been full-on for the last 10 days.” Vancouver Canucks: Linden added that they are looking for a GM who is a "talent evaluator." Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: "I think most of us to…

Mark Easson

Morning Hits: Chara, Shaw, Lucic, Tavares, Jackman, Gustafsson and Konopka

David Pagnotta: Told that Bruins Zdeno Chara had fractured at least on finger during Game 4 of round two against the Canadiens. Chicago Blackhawks: Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville expects that forward Andrew Shaw could start skating this weekend. They will…

Mark Easson

NHL Rumors IV: Brendan Shanahan Talks Maple Leafs

James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Brenden Shanahan media interviews from yesterday. (click on the link to read the big Q & A piece) “There are good pieces. I think the team is maybe not as good as some…

Mark Easson