- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers Sam Gagner is done for the year after a tendon was severed in his hand after being inadvertently by teammate Ryan Jones. “You hop over the boards 50 times a game and this one time a teammate is reaching for a water bottle,” said Jones. “I heard him yell but then I went onto the ice and by the time I came back he was in the dressing room. This is the first for me something like this happening. I talked to Sam (after the game in Washington). He thought he’d be fine.”
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Blues forward Alex Steen and defenseman Barret Jackman are likely done for the season. Steen suffered a high ankle sprain, and Jackman has a fractured finger that requires surgery. Both are out 4-6 weeks.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard, who just returned from a hand injury, blocked a shot with his ankle, missed practice yesterday and is questionable for tonight.
- Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution: 2 groups and 1 individual are in discussions to possibly purchase the Atlanta Thrashers, and keeping them in Atlanta. 2 entities are local. 2 other groups showed interest in buying the Thrashers, Hawks and the Philips Arena. Documents presented in court say the Thrashers have lost $130 million in the last 5 years. (only lost $130 million … no wonder there are 5 groups interested … sarcasm)
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators forward Steve Sullivan underwent a procedure last week to help his cronic groin injury, and would keep him out for 4-6 weeks.
- Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Craig Anderson’s agent and Senators GM Bryan Murray will talk again after the GM meeting. An offer could be in the 3 years and $9.3 million range.
“I’m not giving ultimatums here,” Justin Duberman, the representative for goalie Craig Anderson, stressed in a phone call Thursday. “But I am saying that, when you deal with free agents, players talk. And they want to go to organizations that treat their players right. Ottawa is of those places, because the people that run this place are honest.
“I hope that the people who are there remain. I think they know what they’re doing. They’re honest, and they’ve treated the players I’ve had there with professionalism and respect. I’ve got all the time in the world for honest people in this business because they’re hard to find.
“If you were to ask Craig how he’s been treated since he got there, it’s been first-class all the way. I think that comes from the top.
“I’m not giving ultimatums, but we’re very, very comfortable with the structure that is in place currently. Very comfortable with it.”
- Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: The Islanders and center Zenon Konopka haven’t had any contract extension talks yet. The Isles were asking for a 2nd round pick for him at the trade deadline. There has been “some disappointment” according to his agent, but Zenon wants to stay.
- Tim Sasssone of the Daily Herald: Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina was suspended 3 games for his elbow on Blackhawks center David Bolland.
Do you think the NHL got it right with a 3 games suspension?