- Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: Sharks Raffi Torres released the following statement yesterday:
“I accept the 41-game suspension handed down to me by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. I worked extremely hard over the last two years following reconstructive knee surgery to resume my NHL career, and this is the last thing I wanted to happen. I am disappointed I have put myself in a position to be suspended again.
“I sincerely apologize to Jakob for the hit that led to this suspension, and I’m extremely thankful that he wasn’t seriously injured as a result of the play. I also want to apologize to my Sharks teammates and the organization.”
Sharks GM Doug Wilson released the following statement:
“The Sharks organization fully supports the NHL’s supplementary discipline decision regarding Raffi. While we do not believe there was any malicious intent, this type of hit is unacceptable and has no place in our game. There is a difference between playing hard and crossing the line and there is no doubt, in this instance, Raffi crossed that line. We’re very thankful that Jakob was not seriously injured as a result of this play.”
- Janis Carr of the OC Register: Ducks Jakob Silfverberg felt a little foggy, slow, tired and scared after he was hit by Raffi Torres.
“Of course you’re scared. It’s a hit to the head,” the winger said. “You kind of think of the worse but as time went on, I didn’t feel too bad. … But at the time, I was concerned that something really bad had happened.”
Silfverberg will play on Saturday.
- Bob McKenzie: Daniel Cleary (DET) and Tom Nilsson (NYI) cleared waivers. Nilsson was on unconditional waivers.
- James Mirtle: The Coyotes put John Scott on waivers.
- Joe Yerdon: Sabres Robin Lehner left the arena last night on crutches and with a boot on his right foot.
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Lehner was injured early in the second period.
“It doesn’t look like it’s short term,” Bylsma said. “It’s more than day-to-day at this point, but we need to evaluate further.”
Chad Johnson will be their No. 1 goalie for now, and they’ll have to recall someone from Rochester.
- Aaron Portzline: Blue Jackets David Clarkson is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He underwent tests yesterday to make sure that it wasn’t a long-term injury.
- Mark Masters: Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock doesn’t have any interest in rotating defenseman in and out (Roman Polak and Frank Corrado) as the goal is to win, and the best players will play.