Two KHL signings
Aivis Kalnins: Matt Frattin has signed with Barys Astana for one-year.
Igor Eronko: According to @Boogard_2, forward Kris Versteeg is going to be signing with Avangard.
Ellis was only looking for a fair deal
Brooks Bratten: Ryan Ellis at his press conference yesterday after signing a long-term extension earlier this week: “I’m getting paid more than enough to play hockey… It was just about coming across a fair deal that would work for both sides. We have other guys that need to be signed in the future, and I had to do my part to keep this thing going in the right direction.”
There is a lot of doubt if Zetterberg will be ready for the season
Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: (Q&A with Jeff Blashill) Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said that Henrik Zetterberg wasn’t able to practice for half of the year last season and there is some doubt if he’ll be able to play this season.
“He’s had a hard summer and I don’t think his back is reacting great. Certainly we’ll know more in a month (at training camp), but as of today, there’s a lot of doubt as to whether his back will be healthy enough to play.”
Blashill said that if former first-round pick Michael Rasmussen makes the Wings out of camp, he’ll likely start on the wing and potentially move to center later on.
Karlsson betting on himself
Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com: Forward William Karlsson is banking on himself this season to earn a big, long-term contract with the Vegas Golden Knights.
“It’s me betting on myself a little,” the 25-year-old center said Thursday during the NHL European Player Media Tour. “It would be great with a long term, but we couldn’t agree on that. Both sides wanted it long term but it couldn’t work out.
“I believe I can have another productive year, show that last season was no fluke and earn something long term.”