Morning Hits: Wild, Jackets, Flyers, Stars, Penguins and Wings

Mark Easson

10 years ago

Bob McKenzie: Wild’s Josh Harding was suspended by the team because his fractured ankle was not a hockey-related injury. Harding is out indefinitely, and as long as he’s out, he won’t be paid by the Wild, nor will he count against their salary cap.

Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: The Wild have signed Darcy Kuemper to a two-year, one-way contract worth $1.25 million per season. Kuemper signed the deal hours after Harding was suspended for the injury he sustained in an altercation with a teammate. GM Chuck Fletcher said that if Kuemper is not one of their top two goalies, they could sign Ilya Bryzgalov and assign Kuemper to the AHL without going through waivers. Kuemper would collect is $1 million salary there.

“He did a great job for us last year,” coach Mike Yeo said of Bryzgalov. “I spoke to Bryz night and he’s really excited to be coming back to our team. I know he really enjoyed this group and playing here. He’s motivated and he’s excited.”

Fletcher didn’t promise Bryzgalov anything. Harding’s injury will keep him out at least two months.

Michael Russo: The signing of Darcy Kuemper doesn’t affect Ilya Bryzgalov’s tryout according to GM Chuck Fletcher.

Aaron Portzline: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen has been told that Nathan Horton’s injury will not require surgery.

Frank Seravalli: Flyers GM Ron Hextall said that Kimmo Timonen won’t be playing for “a period of timing, meaning months.” They will do a follow up at the start of 2015. Doctors told Timonen that he’ll probably have to be on blood thinners for the rest of life, and if he’s on blood thinners, he can’t play hockey.

Mark Stepneski: Stars GM Jim Nill on Rich Peverley:

“He has been cleared to work out, but he has not been cleared to go on the ice. We are going to monitor that week by week. He needs to see some more doctors and we’ll go from there.”

Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins don’t expect the injuries to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to keep them out long: “I expect they’ll be very short,” according to head coach Mike Johnston.