On the Buffalo Sabres …
John Vogl: Sabres coach Phil Housley said that Johan Larsson passed concussion protocol testing.
On the Calgary Flames …
Wes Gilbertson: Goaltender Mike Smith (lower-body) was on the ice yesterday.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Columbus Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets activated forward Nick Foligno off the IR.
On the New Jersey Devils …
Andrew Gross: The Devils have recalled goaltender Cory Schneider from his conditioning stint. He is with the team in Florida and his still on the IR.
On the San Jose Sharks …
Kevin Kurz: The Sharks have re-signed goaltender Aaron Dell to a two-year contract extension worth $3.8 million – a $1.9 million salary cap hit. He’ll get $2.2 million next season and $1.6 million in 2019-20.
On Seattle …
TSN: If the city of Seattle is awarded an expansion team, the process would be the same as it was for Vegas.
“We would anticipate that the terms of an expansion draft for a 32nd team would be the same as they were for Las Vegas,” commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters at the league’s announcement of the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver on Wednesday.
First and second-year players would be exempt. Seattle would select 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies.
“Obviously, we have to go through a process with Seattle, similar to Las Vegas,” Bettman told reporters on Wednesday. “Expansion is an important decision. A Pacific Northwest rivalry with Vancouver would be terrific. We first have to make sure a potential franchise will be successful.”
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Rick Dhaliwal: The Canucks have signed defenseman Alex Biega to a two-year contract worth $1.65 million.
Rick Dhaliwal: The Canucks like Biega’s versatility, character, work, ethic and that he plays all roles.
On the Vegas Golden Knights …
Vegas Golden Knights: The Golden Knights recalled forward Tomas Hyka on an emergency basis.