Morning Hits: Kane, Avs, Devils, Blues and Canucks
  • USA Today: The lawyer who is representing the woman who has made allegations towards Patrick Kane will be holding a press conference this afternoon.
  • Terry Frei of the Denver Post: The Colorado Avalanche have signed defenseman Erik Johnson to a seven-year contract extension worth $42 million, a $6 million salary cap hit. He’ll get a $6 million salary each year.

    “For me, it was just we have a lot of guys coming up who are definitely going to have some raises,” Johnson, who didn’t suit up against Anaheim, said after the first period. “I don’t want to say it’s not about the money, because that’s what you negotiate over, but I wanted to fit in and make sure we could get other guys signed, too.”

  • Rich Chere of NJ.com: Patrik Elias said he’s be back “soon,” but the Devils don’t plan using him in any preseason games.

    “That’s really up in the air right now. We’re not really planning on it, just because it’s kind of been a slow process so far,” Hynes said Tuesday.

    Defenseman David Schlemko missed practice yesterday, but is going to skate today. Reid Boucher has recovered from his concussion and will play tonight.

  • Jeremy Rutherford: Injuries to Jori Lehtera and Patrik Berglund as lead the Blues to moving Jaden Schwartz to center. He’s been skating with Robby Fabbri and David Backes. Schwartz has played center earlier in his career. Backes is also playing a new position this year, having been moved to the wing.
  • Jeremy Rutherford: Blues Robert Bortuzzo (lower-body) is expected to skate today. Jori Lehtera is expected to join the Blues this weekend.