- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: If the Toronto Maple Leafs keep both Jeff Finger and Nazem Kadri on the roster, they will be slightly over the cap, if they demote both, they could be about $4.6 million under. The Leafs are working with a reduced cap of $58 million, due to going over the cap last year with bonuses. Finger has yet to play in a pre-season game as he’s nursing a knee injury. Burke said he’ll likely carry 8 defenseman to start the year. I think both Finger and Kadri should start the year with the Marlies. So far this pre-season, Kadri has shown that he’s not ready for the jump to the NHL, which is fine in my opinion. Let him gain some valuable pro experience with the Marlies, who should have a competitive team this year.
- John Shannon of SportsNet: The NHL and the players had talks about a 84 game schedule with a shorter pre-season. It might be worth another look, or at least in the next CBA negotiations. Both sides would like it for more revenue and meaningful games.
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: LeBrun doesn’t think Bobby Ryan has looked out of place playing center so far. If Ryan does play center this year, does it drop his fantasy value as he’s not playing with with Getzlaf and Perry?
- Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: Philadelphia Flyers goalie Michael Leighton had an MRI on his lower back yesterday and results should be known today.
- Detroit News: Mathieu Dandenault has retired from the NHL (I thought he did couple years ago). Dandenault won 3 cups with the Red Wings, and last played in the NHL in 2008-09 with the Canadiens.
If the Minnesota Wild consider looking for a backup for Niklas Backstrom with Josh Harding out for the year …
- Jim Matheson via twitter: Matheson wonders if the Wild would pickup Jeff Deslauriers on waivers if Devan Dubnyk wins the backup job? Though his $1 million salary may scare them off.
- Helene Elliott via twitter: Elliott thinks the Los Angeles Kings would be happy to send them Erik Ersberg in a deal.