- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Evgeni Nabokov’s agent said he’ll stick it out in the NHL this season. He has a 1 year deal worth $570,000 and is property of the NY Islanders. The Islanders already have 5 goalies in their organization, so where Nabokov fits in a good good question. He will likely be traded by the Islanders. Capgeek via twitter: If Nabokov was traded, he would have to clear waivers first.
- Slava Malamud via twitter: Yashin is being offered no more that $2 million, presumably from the Islanders.
- Josh Gorges signed a 1 year, $2.5 million deal with the Canadiens before their arbitration hearing. Brian Wilde via twitter adds “Of course there’s no guarantee he’ll leave as UFA now. But I can guarantee one thing – he wouldn’t with a long term deal. Why roll dice?”
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings GM Ken Holland doesn’t expect to make any more signings or trades before the season starts. The Wings have about $5.8 million in cap space, which would allow them to make a move or two during the season.
“I think we can compete and I like our cap space,” Holland said. “If, after 60 games, we get to the (trade) deadline and are in a playoff position, we can make a deal. We haven’t had that (cap space) the last couple of years.”
The Red Wings tried to sign a top 6 forward. They made an offer to Jaromir Jagr, and had interest in Tomas Fleischmann and Scott Upshall.
“I’d like to add a top-six forward, but so would every other team in the league,” Holland said. “We wanted to add a guy like (Danny) Cleary, a good, two-way forward. We explored but came up short on a few (players), either in dollars or term.”
Holland will meet with Kris Draper soon and it should be known by next week if he’ll be back or not.
“If he plays another year, his role is diminishing,” Holland said. “We need young players to push and eventually take away older players’ jobs. If that’s not happening, we’re not doing our job.
“We’re talking about (whether) he’s comfortable with the (diminished) role.”
- Tom Reed via twitter: Is hearing the NY Rangers aren’t certain to buy out Wojtek Wolski.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: The Phoenix Coyotes are one team that has shown interest in Chris Campoli.
- Steven Stamkos, Steve Yzerman Press Conference