On the Winter Olympics …
Chris Johnston: Would be too late for the 2018 Olympics if the NHL doesn’t go, but Rene Fasel said he’d consider an U20 Olympic tournament.
Gino Reda: Rene Fasel said that they have found approximately $10 million to cover NHL players travel and insurance costs, but that may not be enough to get the NHL to go. The NHL isn’t interested in taking money away from other hockey development programs.
On the Expansion Draft …
Pierre LeBrun: The NHL and NHLPA have finalized the list of players that must be protected for the expansion draft according to Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. LeBrun thinks the list has 65 to 70 players on it, with most having full no-movement clauses.
On the Ottawa Senators …
James Gordon: “Why are the Sens trying to rid themselves of Hammond exactly? I think I missed something. Like I sincerely don’t understand. Are they dumping the Hamburglar because Mike Condon had two good games?”
Scouting the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators last night …
Adam Kimelman: Listed scouts for the Flyers-Senators game: Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings and Las Vegas.
On the New York Islanders …
Chris Nichols on Fan Rag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was the NHL Network on Friday and was talking about the New York Islanders. Friedman thinks the Islanders are looking for some offense.
“I think one of the things that we are talking about now is I think the New York Islanders are trying to find some offense. I think they’re looking to see what’s out there. Are there some wingers or some forwards out there that can help them get their offense going. I think Garth Snow is looking around right now and seeing if there’s anything that he can do to get that team going because as you mentioned, they’re in a really rough spot.”