- Ansar Khan of MLive: The Red Wings had offered Damien Brunner a two-year deal with $2.5 million a season. Brunner is looking for a multi-year deal at $3.5 million per season. There is a still a chance that the Wings re-sign Daniel Cleary, but Khan thinks it’s doubtful that they will be able to clear out enough salary to do so.
- Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks Bryan Bickell had surgery on his thumb earlier this month and is recovering well.
“It has been three or four weeks and it’s a lot better than it was,” Bickell said. “Every day it’s getting better. I think it will be ready for the regular season.”
Michal Handzus has had two surgeries this offseason.
“I’m healing,” said Handzus, who signed a one-year deal earlier this month to return to the Hawks. “Right now, (with my) wrist I still can’t do anything. It’s in a cast for one more week. After four weeks I can start to do something. It’s a little bit slower. My knee is pretty much rehabbing right now.”
Patrick Sharp met with doctors this weekend to see how his shoulder is progressing.
“No surgery,” Sharp said. “Just some rehab to strengthen it and fix it up. Everything is on schedule.”