- Josh Wingrove via twitter: Taylor Hall is getting stitches to a cut above his eye after he tripped on the stairs and banged heads with Jordan Eberle.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Dynamo Moscow of the KHL say that Alex Ovechkin has left for the Capitals early as he’s nursing a minor injury according to SovSport.
- Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers Nikolai Khabibulin said that he’s hopeful to be ready for the start of the season. He still needs see an improvement, so there is no guarantees.
- Anthony SanFilippo via twitter: Flyers Matt Walker is still suffering from a bad back and likely won’t pass his physical. He could be looking at time on the LTIR.
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom’s status for the start of the season remains uncertain. On Dec. 26th he crashed awkwardly into the boards, injuring his neck. GM George McPhee said he can’t update the situation until the CBA is ratified.
“There are some things we can talk about, some things we can’t, and we can’t talk about the fitness or health of any players until training camp,” McPhee said Tuesday. “I’d be happy then.”
If Backstrom isn’t ready to start the season, the Capitals won’t have pay his contract since he was injured during the lockout.
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: It’s all but certain the Kings will be without Anze Kopitar to start the season due to a sprained right MCL. He’ll undergo more tests when he arrives in LA. GM Dean Lombardi estimated 2 or 3 weeks, though these types of injuries can take longer to heal. Goalie Jonathan Quick had back surgery in August and is expected to be ready for the start of the season.
