Mark Easson

20903 Articles

Thornton-Sharks talking extension … On why Kovalchuk deal should be accepted … Devils moving Zajac?

Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News: Joe Thornton is having preliminary talks with the San Jose Sharks about a contract extension. The 31-year old Thornton will be a UFA at seasons end. Thornton has a cap hit of…

Mark Easson

Oilers re-sign Sam Gagne … Lee Stempniak re-signs with Coyotes

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Sam Gagner re-signed with the Edmonton Oilers yesterday. The deal is for 2 years and $4.55 million, a cap hit of $2.275 million. Gagne was drafted 6th overall in 2007, and has recorded 131…

Mark Easson

Kovalchuk decision by Wednesday … Staal not looking for offer sheet … 5 teams interested in Kennedy … Penner to Kings?

Mark Everson of the NY Post: The NHL has until Wednesday to decide if they are going to reject or accept the latest Ilya Kovalchuk contract. The contract is said to be 15 years and $100 million, a $6.67 million…

Mark Easson

Kariya out next season … Could Guerin end up in LA? Oilers nixed a Souray-Hartnell deal last year?

Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy: Paul Kariya's agent, Don Baizley, issued a statement saying that Paul Kariya will sit out the 2010-11 season with post-concussion syndrome. Kariya has a history of concussion problems, and missed 6 games last season with…

Mark Easson

Kovalchuk saga coming to a close soon

3:15 pm: EJ Hradek via twitter: "As of 3:02 pm ET, NHL Deputy Commish Bill Daly says the league has not yet signed off on concepts for new Kovy-Devils deal." 2:33 pm: Tom Gulitti is tweeting that there might not…

Mark Easson

Staal’s return delayed … Ducks looking for D depth … Bergfors-Thrashers not close … Pens not talking to Kariya or Svatos

Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins center Jordan Staal has "experienced a couple of setbacks" from the torn tendon is his foot. They will take it easy with him and there is no need for concern if he misses…

Mark Easson

Kovalchuk to the KHL? Pens and Bruins say no Guerin

Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: With the KHL season starting on Sept. 8th, there is the possibility that Kovalchuk starts there, then returns to the NHL when is contract is finalized. Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: KHL is still offering Kovalchuk 1…

Mark Easson

Kovalchuk’s agent calls KHL … Why Mitchell didn’t sign with the Sharks, Canucks … Fehr in as NHLPA leader?

Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: According to @plysenkov and their mutual sources, the league is looking for a 13 year contract for Kovalchuk. Craig Custance via twitter: KHL president Alexander Medvedev said that he received a call from Jay Grossman, Kovalchuk's…

Mark Easson

Kings reach agreement with Mitchell … Bieksa staying a Canuck for now? Lou-Grossman back at it

Update: LAKingsInsider.com: Mitchell signs with the Kings for 2 years, $7 million. LAKingsHockey via twitter: The Kings have a verbal agreement with Willie Mitchell. Nick Kypreos via twitter: Clubs have been notified they are out of the Mitchell running. LA…

Mark Easson

Kovalchuk framework rejected … Staal hoping for offer sheet … Lehtinen undecided

Mark Everson of the NY Post: The NHL criticized the framework of a contract between the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk that was presented to them on Monday. This could jeopardize Kovalchuk staying in the NHL, as the frameworks…

Mark Easson

Afternoon rumor updates for Kovalchuk, Salvador, Souray, Ryan and Guerin

Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy: Daniel Alfredsson talks at the World Hockey Summit about fighting and the NHL future in Europe. Daniel Alfredsson and Uwe Krupp talk at World Hockey Summit from Greg Wyshynski on Vimeo. Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter:…

Mark Easson

Top 100 Salary Cap Hits

A players annual salary has become second fiddle to what the salary cap number is. Front-loading or back-loading of contracts makes it harder to judge what the player is actual worth on a year-to-year basis. Players salaries have become public…

Mark Easson