On the Calgary Flames …
Roger Millions: While the Flames are on the road, Kris Versteeg should be rehabbing with their AHL team in Stockton. When the Flames return from their road trip, Versteeg hopes to get clearance for contact.
On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Mike Kelly: The Blackhawks signed Erik Gustafsson to a two-year contract extension with a $1.2 million AAV.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Dhiren Mahiban: The Oilers have signed Ostap Safin to a three-year entry-level deal.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Jeremy Rutherford of the Athletic: Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester originally started feeling pain in his hip after their game on December 10th. He took an injection with the hope of putting off surgery until the offseason.
He played through it for a bit but has now opted for the surgery, ending his season. Planning for the surgery will happen in the next week or two.
“Our hope is to get the surgery done now and we’ll get an update after the surgery on exactly what they find in there,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. “But we’re hoping that within four to six months that he’ll be able to resume playing. … He’s still an elite skater in our game, and if the hip responds to the surgery, I think he’s got time left.”
Bouwmeester has a year left on his deal at a $5.4 million cap hit. If the Blues had thought about buying him out this offseason, they won’t be able to now since he’s injured. A buyout would have cost them $1.8 million against the cap for the next two years.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Jeff Paterson: Defenseman Chris Tanev skated on his own this morning.
Vancouver Canucks: Forward Brock Boeser will be out for four to six weeks.
“Brock Boeser will make a full recovery in 4-6 weeks. He was taken to hospital last night for further imaging and evaluation where he was diangnosed with a soft tissue injury and a small non-structural, non-displaced fracture of the transverse process in his lower back. The Canucks are grateful for the quality of care he received; Boeser was resting at home within a few hours after the game.”