- Chris Johnston of SportsNet: The concussion lawsuit has went from the first 10 plaintiffs to up to over 200 now, with the number likely to continue to grow.
The lawsuit alleges that the NHL failed to do enough to protect and educate its players from the dangers of head injuries and, according to Owens, seeks to find out the answer to three important questions: What did the NHL know about concussions and the effects of subconcussive hits? When did it know it? And what did it tell the players?
- Eric Macramalla: “The 200 or so NHL players were not magically added to lawsuit after news broke of NHL lawsuit; they likely signed retainer letters ahead of time; in class action litigation only plaintiffs that represent the class need to be identified at the start. Full list of plaintiff names will provided at a later date.”
- Allan Walsh: “Many people are under the misperception that former players suing the NHL over long term effects of concussions making a pure money grab. In many instances, former players ultimately seeking costs of medical expenses, cost of medication and long term care.”
- Tom Gulitti: Devils Cory Schneider on not playing: “It’s Groundhog Day for me. I can’t seem to escape it.”
- Helene St. James: The Red Wings sign Jonathan Ericsson to a six-year contract extension worth $25.5 million, a $4.25 million cap hit.
- Pierre LeBrun: Olympic roster deadline is now January 7th.
- Darren Dreger: The Canadiens give Rick Dudley a more lucrative deal to remain with the team. The Sabres were asking for permission to speak with Dudley about their vacant GM spot. L.A. Lariviere: Dudley had one more year on his deal. Extension doesn’t kick in until after next season.
- Sarah McLellan: Coyotes Rostislav Klesla clears waivers. McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Klesla was assigned to the AHL.
“It’s more of him getting more minutes and playing more games, get his quickness and pace and confidence back where it needs to be, and then he’ll be back playing for us,” General Manager Don Maloney said. “Whether that’s a weekend or a week or two weeks or the rest of the year, I can’t say right now. So that’s the plan. We think he can help us at some point here, but we need to be better and he needs to be better.”
- Ryan Rishaug: Matt D’Agostini was claimed by the Sabres.
- Missy Zielinski: The Lightning have recalled Dana Tyrell.
- Corey Pronman: The Coyotes have recalled Chris Brown and Connor Murphy from the AHL.
- Eric Stephens: The Ducks have sent Emerson Etem and Devante Smith-Pelly to the AHL.
- Corey Pronman: The Flames recall Max Reinhart.
- Igor Eronko: Chris Bourque’s contract with the Kazan of the KHL was terminated, and he’s rumored to be signing with Biel of the Swiss league.
- Brian Stubits of CBS Sports: AHLs Utica Comets Darren Archibald’s big hit on Karl Stollery of the Lake Erie Monsters.