- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Columbus forward Derick Brassard has been a healthy scratch for 7 of the last 10 games. He’s said all the right things, but his agent, Allen Walsh has had enough and released this statement:
“While I have tremendous respect for (general manager) Scott Howson and the rest of Columbus’ management team, the situation regarding Derick Brassard has become untenable. The coach has a history of burying players and using them as scapegoats to mask his own lack of success on the ice. Derick has been singled out, almost from the very beginning of the season, to be the fall guy in case things don’t go well. The Columbus organization cares about Derick and has been good to him, but at some point, one has to say, enough is enough.”
- Elliotte Friedman via twitter: From Friedman’s understanding, Brassard will be staying with the team. The Blue Jackets have tried hard to trade him. Ottawa is interested.
- Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune: Zach Parise’s father on his son’s future:
“Money will be a factor, of course,” J.P. Parise said. “But he likes to win, he likes to have a chance, he likes to compete. … That’s why he decided to accept a one-year contract. He wants to see where are heading, what kind of players they have. They have acquired some good young players. He’s not going to rush into anything. He’ll take his time, analyze the whole thing.”
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: Zach Parise on re-signing with the NJ Devils: “It’s what I hope for. We can’t do anything right now by league rules, so we’ll wait ’til we can.”
- Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider: Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell left after 1 shift. Forward Mike Richards took a high hit from Panthers Sean Bergenheim in the 2nd period, and didn’t return for the 3rd. Asked if they’d be out multiple games, Terry Murray responded: “I hope not. I don’t know that. We haven’t got a full report yet. The doctors, trainers are busy evaluating and they’ll probably let me know before I get away here tonight. We’ll have a better idea tomorrow.”
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski is expected to get his cast off today, and his hoping for a Dec. 9th return. Brenden Morrow and Trevor Daley will be out this week, but hope to return for Dec. 8th. Goaltender Kari Lehtonen, out with an groin injury, will be out at least 3 weeks.
- Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers forward Taylor Hall said his shoulder feels great, but contact is an issue. He’s ahead of schedule though.
- Lance Hornby via twitter: Gary Bettman said he’s “not sure” if a decision on realignment will be done by next week’s BOG meetings.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: David Perron didn’t travel with the Blues to Colorado, as they didn’t want the altitude to create any imbalance in his system. We could play on Saturday, a flu/cold has been going around the team and it may have set him back a bit.
- Dustin Leed via twitter: Leed thinks Flyers defenseman Matt Walker will get claimed off waivers. Leed notes that GM Holmgren said a day or two ago that everyone was looking for a defenseman.
- Luke DeCock via twitter: Scouts at the Hurricanes-Rangers game: Capitals, Senators, Canucks, Maple Leafs, Predators, Avalanche, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Kings, and Stars. 12 scouts the Hurricanes’ AHL team the previous night.
- Jeremy Rutherford via twitter: Jaroslav Halak will start in net for the Blues tonight. Brian Elliott will start tomorrow.
- Tim Sassone via twitter: Corey Crawford will start in net tonight for the Blackhawks against the Islanders.