- Dustin Leed via twitter: Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Alex Ovechkin were guaranteed $30 million each by Russian President Vladimir Putin to remain in the KHL. Update: Original source came from David Satriano of the NY Post:
The Post’s Larry Brooks reported that four players — Kovalchuk, Alexander Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin — were preparing to issue a statement last Friday announcing that they planned to remain in the KHL, even if an NHL labor agreement was reached. They were guaranteed $30 million each by Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the NHL Players Association talked the players out of it.
- Slava Malamud via twitter: Ilya Kovalchuk to Sport-Express: “I want to stay in St. Petersburg but I have contractual obligations in the NHL, which will be hard to break.” He added that he is going to talk with SKA management and “hopefully, everything will be decided then.”
- Slava Malamud via twitter: “Clarification: Kovalchuk spoke of this year only. The phrasing leads to believe he’d like to finish season w/ SKA, return to NJD in the fall”
- Sam Carchidi via twitter: Source says there is absolutely no truth that the Flyers have interest in Roberto Luongo.
- David Pagnotta via twitter: The Sabres are considering re-signing Jochen Hecht. The Senators are looking at Kent Huskins. Eric Fehr will get attention from teams.
- Allan Walsh via twitter: Petr Sykora will be playing in the NHL somewhere this season.
- David Pagnotta via twitter: The Canucks could look center Jason Arnott for depth, depending on what return they get back for Roberto Luongo if he’s traded. Arnott’s agent and brother, Wade, said there has been plenty of interest elsewhere.
- Ted Kulfan via twitter: Red Wings Valtteri Filppula is optimistic that he will be ready for the season opener. It’s been 2 months since he sprained his knee.
- Jason Deforest via twitter: Flames GM Jay Feaster on Roman Cervenka who is still on blood thinners as a precaution: “We’ve been advised that the blood clot is no longer there.”
- David Pagnotta via twitter: Blue Jackets Ryan Murray will be out 5 to 6 months after shoulder surgery.
- Dan Rosen via twitter: Olympics and realignment are issues the NHL and NHLPA still have to get to according to Gary Bettman. Added that they are important to both sides.