Mark Easson

21327 Articles

Avalanche Draft Hits: Avs to take MacKinnon … Big cost if Panthers want to move up

Craig Custance of ESPN: Patrick Roy on drafting Nate MacKinnon. "It would be tough for us not to take MacKinnon," Roy told ESPN The Magazine. "MacKinnon is ready to play tomorrow." "We have received a lot of calls. Joe has…

Mark Easson

Free Agent Hits: Wild, Coyotes, Leafs, Islanders, Penguins and Red Wings

Michael Russo: Niklas Backstrom's 3-year contract extension is for $10.25 million, a $3.42 million salary cap hit. Sarah McLellan: Coyotes GM Don Maloney said that management and coaches had talks with Mike Smith and his agent last week. Jeff Simmons…

Mark Easson

Buyout Hits: Teams that won’t or are not expected use buyouts and Brad Richards

James Mirtle: Teams that won't be using buyouts: Flames, Blue Jackets and New Jersey. Teams expected to not use buyouts: Stars, Penguins, Jets, Hurricanes, Sabres and Ducks. Bob McKenzie: Guesses teams that won't use buyouts: Ducks, Bruins, Sabres, Hurricanes, Stars, Senators…

Mark Easson

Injury Hits: Bergeron, Handzus, Toews, Hossa, Shaw, Chara, Jagr, Horton, Seguin and Havlat

Bruce Arthur: Bruins Patrice Bergeron had a broken rib, torn cartilage and separated his shoulder during last night's game. Chris Kuc: Blackhawks Michal Handzus was playing with a broken wrist and torn MCL. George Malik of Kukla's Korner: Malik summarizes…

Mark Easson

Quick Hits: Capitals, Gagner, Leafs retain salary, Alfredsson and Glendale meeting

Katie Carrera: Capitals GM McPhee said they would match any offer sheets their players receive. Josh Rimer: Oilers GM Craig MacTavish won't be announcing a Sam Gagner contract extension today, but they are working on one. CapGeek: In the Jonathan…

Mark Easson

Ducks and Penguins make minor league deal

The Anaheim Ducks have traded left winger Harry Zolnierczyk to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Alex Grant. Grant was drafted 118th overall in the 4th round of the 2007 draft by the Penguins. He had a 2012-13 NHL salary of $525,000…

Mark Easson

Maple Leafs Hits: Bernier, Phaneuf, Lupul, Gagner, Stastny, Komisarek, Bozak, MacArthur, Grabovski and Liles

Renaud Lavoie: The Leafs and Jonathan Bernier's agent spoke yesterday. Contract talks will start this week. Darren Dreger: Will talk in the next day or two. Bernier could become a UFA in three years. L.A. Lariviere: Bernier's deal could get…

Mark Easson

Morning Hits: Bernier, Read, Luongo, Grigorenko and Nichushkin

Pierre LeBrun: Believes that the Flyers and one other team were in Jonathan Bernier talks. The Flyers were offering Matt Read. Pierre LeBrun: Doesn't think the Islanders went too far down the road with Bernier talks. Darren Dreger: The Canucks…

Mark Easson

Quick Hits: Bergeron, Scuderi, Komisarek, Kaberle and Tortorella

Joe Haggerty: Confirms that Patrice Bergeron's injury "isn't a ruptured spleen" as he wouldn't have been able to fly with the team. Pierre LeBrun: The Maple Leafs retain $500,000 in the Jonathan Bernier deal which gives the Kings an important…

Mark Easson

Kings trade Jonathan Bernier to the Maple Leafs for Matt Frattin, Ben Scrivens and a draft pick

The Los Angeles Kings have traded RFA goalie Jonathan Bernier to the Toronto Maple Leafs for winger Matt Frattin, goalie Ben Scrivens and a 2014 or 2015 2nd round pick. Bernier was drafted 11th overall by the Kings in 2006.…

Mark Easson

Morning Hits II: Miller and Vanek, Three Bernier landing spots and Hotstove video

Connor Mellas of NHL.com: Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek will be UFAs after next season. "Ideally, I would like to keep them here, yes," Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said at a press conference Thursday. "But again, we have to…

Mark Easson

Morning Hits I: Letang, Blue Jackets and Clarkson

Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: The Penguins may be looking to sign Kris Letang to a longer term deal at $6 million a year and with a limited-movement clause. Letang has other ideas of his worth. Shero may be…

Mark Easson