Morning Hits: RNH, Blues Goaltending, Gretzky, Lindholm and a Detroit Arena
  • Jim Matheson: If Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is not able to play until November 1st after his shoulder surgery, he’ll miss a total of 14 games.
  • Jason Gregor: Blues coach Ken Hitchcock: “Our plan is to have Halak as starter, Elliott as the back up and Jake Allen will start the season in the AHL.”
  • Howard Berger: Source saying there is a “very big chance” that Wayne Gretzky will become a top executive at MLSE.
  • Igor Eronko: Hurricanes 1st round pick, Elias Lindholm, said he doesn’t want to play in the AHL and is considering playing another year in Brynas.
  • AP on SportsNet: The city of Detroit is going through bankruptcy proceeding, but they will build a new arena with tax dollars. Some agree with this, but not all. Some feel it will be a catalyst for more development.

    “This is part of investing in Detroit’s future,” Snyder said. “That’s the message we need to get across. … As we stabilize the city government’s finances, as we address those issues and improve services, Detroit moves from a place where people might have had a negative impression — although there are great things already going on — to being a place that will be recognized across the world as a place of great value and a place to invest.”

    The estimated cost of the complex is $650 million, 56 percent to be paid for privately, 44 percent public. Completion date is expected to be in 2017.