- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Gary Bettman outlines the NHL’s 5 step plan. 1. “Brendan Shanahan working with NHLPA to expedite equipment modifications.” 2. “Revised concussion protocol. If player is suspected to have had one, must be removed from the bench for assessement in quiet area.” 3. “Fines and/or suspensions for clubs and coaches of players/teams that rack up high number of suspensions. No details yet.” 4. “Safety engineers to make sure all NHL arenas conform to safe standards and to come up with ideas to “soften” environment.” 5. “Special committee of Shanahan, R Blake, Yzerman, Niuewendyk to continue investigating this issue.”
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Earlier this month, Penguins owner Mario Lemieux sent a letter to Gary Bettman saying that teams should be fined when one of their players is suspended. The fines could range from $50,000 to a $1 million and double for repeat offenders. This might “accountable for the actions of their players,” Lemieux wrote. “We propose instituting a policy of automatically fining a team when one if its players is suspended — with the amount of the fine based on the length of the suspension. This should serve as a disincentive for teams as well as players to employ these kinds of tactics.” Under Lemieux’s plan:
if a player is suspended one or two games, his team would be fined $50,000; three or four games, a $100,000 fine; five to eight games, a $250,000 fine; nine or 10 games, a $500,000 fine; 11-15 games, a $750,000 fine; and more than 15 games, a $1 million fine. Those dollar amounts would double for a repeat offender.
- Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Thrashers defenseman Dustin Byfuglien is questionable for tonight’s game with a lower body injury. Byfuglien miss a game last week due to injury. He’s 3rd in team scoring with 50 points, 19 goals and 31 assists. The Thrashers have recalled Noah Welch. Ondrej Pavelec will start in net tonight againt the Devils.
- Brad Zeimer of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks defenseman Sami Salo left last night’s game after blocking a shot in the forearm/elbow area. Coach Vigneault added, “It’s not broken, so he will be re-evaluated (Tuesday). We’ll see how he feels.” Yann Sauve could be recalled if Salo is out.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche have signed 2010 1st round pick, Joey Hishon, to an entry level contract. Hishon was drafted 17th overall last year, and recorded 36 goals and 83 points in 48 games this year. He won’t play for the Avs this season.
- Michael Russo via twitter: Sources are saying the Maple Leafs have signed University of Wisconsin defenseman Jake Gardiner to an entry level deal. Gardiner was a 2009 1st round pick by the Ducks, and was acquired in the Francois Beauchemin trade.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: A good article by Strickland, who raises the question “Would larger ice reduce head injuries?”