Mark Easson

20826 Articles

Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Frolov get KHL Offers

TSN.ca: According to a Russian website (Sovsports) , Ilya Kovalchuk as received a 3-year, $30 million contract offer from the SKA St Petersburg. Kovalchuk would like to stay in the NHL, and will wait to see all his options on…

Mark Easson

Kulemin-Maple Leaf talks at a standstill … Zherdev wanting to return to NHL … Capitals looking for a #2 center

Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Talks between the Toronto Maple Leafs and winger Nikolai Kulemin are at a standstill. It is rumored that Kulemin is after a $3 million a year contract, after putting up 36 points in 78…

Mark Easson

Boucher back Saturday? Rob Blake leaning to retirement … Nabokov would like to stay in San Jose … Yzerman needs to lock up Stamkos

Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Though it was speculated that his season was over after suffering sprained ligaments in both knees on May 10th, Brian Boucher returned to practice with the hope of dressing for game 1 on Saturday.…

Mark Easson

More on the Canadiens … Ryan and Ducks talking … Marleau to Toronto? Jacob Markstrom coming to North America?

Sean Gordon of the Globe and Mail: The Montreal Canadiens will have $13-14 million to fill out 9 roster spots. That is not a lot play when players like Tomas Plekanec, Jaroslav Halak and/or Carey Price are due for raises,…

Mark Easson

Steve Yzerman named new GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning

Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersbrug Times: It came as a bit of surprise today that Steve Yzerman was named the new General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. For weeks it was thought that he wasn't interested in taking…

Mark Easson

Wings won’t do anything until Lidstrom decides what he’s doing … Horton trade bait … What will the Canadiens do now?

George Malik of MLive: Red Wings GM Ken Holland told MLive that they can't re-sign Tomas Holmstrom, Todd Bertuzzi, or any of their 5 RFAs before they hear if Nicklas Lidstrom will be back next season or not. Lidstrom has…

Mark Easson

Kovalchuk to KHL? Marleau talk … Blues to go after a D-man?

Mark Everson of the NY Post: Reports are floating around that Ilya Kovalchuk is signing with St. Petersburg of the KHL, but ... "Don't jump to conclusions," warned the source at the World Championships in Germany. David Pollak of the…

Mark Easson

No Market for Spezza? Volchenkov to Capitals? Harder for Bruins to trade Tim Thomas now

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Jason Spezza has 5 years and $35 million left his salary, and he has a no-movement clause that doesn't kick in until July 1st. Many fans (44% of those polled by the Sun) would…

Mark Easson

Options if Lidstrom Retires … Yzerman still considering Tampa? A new look Shark team next year?

George Malik of MLive: If Nicklas Lidstrom retires, Brian Rafalski could step up into a larger role. One option available for the Red Wings would be to call up the Maple Leafs and see what it would take for Tomas…

Mark Easson

Malkin not going anywhere? Taylor Hall at center? Kubina and Afinogenov could be back with the Thrashers

Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Rossi has been told that the Penguins "are not entertaining the possibility of trading C Evgeni Malkin". Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Cook doesn't think the Penguins will bring back UFAs: Sergei…

Mark Easson

Nabokov’s time in San Jose running out … Wild could look to adding another 1st round pick

Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: The Minnesota Wild have an extra 2nd round picks, 3 picks in the top 57, and 4 picks in the top 69. The Wild's GM Chuck Fletcher treats draft picks as 'currency' and may…

Mark Easson

Whitney and Babchuk back in Carolina? Dale Tallon and the Panthers

Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford is confident that Ray Whitney and Anton Babchuk will be back with the Canes next season. Rutherford has also met with Rod Brind'Amour once, and will meet again…

Mark Easson