- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Bill Daly said in an email on Saturday, “No meetings are scheduled at this point.” Wild Zenon Konopka was at the meetings and had this to say,
“A lot was said and a lot needs to be processed and I think it probably takes a day or two to think about it and come up with some new ideas,” Wild centre Zenon Konopka, who sat in on Friday’s session, said from New York on Saturday.
“It’s hard to know, to be honest with you,” said Konopka. “I think there’s going to be some new ideas in the next week or so. As for a proposal, you’ve got to think there’s going to be something before Sept. 15 but I can’t say that for sure.”
Over 200 players will meet with Don Fehr in New York on Wednesday and Thursday to get an update on where talks stand. Konopka added that the NHLPA are trying to get a CBA that will help small-market teams,
“As players we feel like we have to get to the root of the problem. We feel like we have to help small-market teams and we have to make sure they’re healthy going into the next three or four years,” said Konopka.
“If we can get those teams healthy, the whole league — including the players and fans — will be better for it.”
- Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: During an informal workout, Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson suffered a “bad” shoulder injury. The Panthers haven’t confirmed the injury yet, if the source said if it’s as serious as he believes, Gudbranson could be out for 4 months.
- Andrew Gross via twitter: Rangers GM Glen Sather on contract talks with Michael Del Zotto, “He’ll come to his senses.” Sather added that Del Zotto’s offer is there and that the Rangers won’t negotiate against themselves.
- Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: Anders Linback may be the Lightning’s number goalie of the future, but the according to Guy Boucher, Lindback and Mathieu Garon will be 1 and 1a for this season.
“They’re both going to get a lot of ice time,” Boucher. “I’m not expecting Lindback to come in here and play 65 games. He played 15 games the past two years, so it’s not fair to him. It’s not fair for the expectations.”
“We know he’s going to be good, but how good we don’t know,” Boucher said of Lindback. “That’s why Garon is perfect for him. He’ll be able to help him with how to manage things. And we know we can put Garon in net and get good results.”
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: Reports are that if/once the Coyotes sale goes through, Shane Doan will sign a 4 year, $21.5 million deal. ($.5.375 million cap hit)
- Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Shane Doan’s decision to stay with the Coyotes or sign elsewhere will affect Mike Smith (free agent next summer) and other free agents.
“If he leaves, it’ll be a big blow to this franchise and this organization,” goalie Mike Smith said. “I think it’ll determine whether or not people sign back here or how we lure in free agents in the future. It’ll definitely be interesting to figure all that out.”
“We were gonna kind of wait to see what Shane did, too,” Smith said. “Obviously he’s a huge piece of the puzzle in Phoenix.”
