On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Jay Zawaski: The Chicago Blackhawks have placed forward Marian Hossa on the LTIR. Defenseman Cody Franson should now be signed soon to a contract at around $1 million.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Contract talks between the Detroit Red Wings and Andreas Athanasiou have resumed according to GM Ken Holland.
“talked to Athanasiou’s agent a couple of times in the past few days.
“Nothing has changed.”
Athanasiou’s agent, Dave Ferris, said that there is “no update at this point” in a text message.
The Red Wings have offered Athanasiou a one-year deal at around $1.25 million and a two-year deal at $1.9 million per season.
In a meeting in mid-September, the Red Wings told Athanasiou’s camp that he would be a top-nine forward and would get time on the power play and penalty kill.
Ansar Khan of MLive: Andreas Athanasiou is looking for $2.5 million a season, and the Red Wings are holding firm on their offers.
Recent comparables – Josh Anderson, three years at $1.85 million per. Sam Bennett, two years at $1.95 million per. Connor Brown, three years at $2.1 million per. Sven Baertschi, two years at $1.85 million per.
On the Ottawa Senators …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators GM Pierre Dorion had been working the phones leading up to yesterday’s roster deadline. Dorion has been looking for a depth forward.
“I’ve had a very active past few days,” Dorion told TSN 1200 on Tuesday morning. “If we do anything it will be at forward, on defence we’ve got more than enough.”
The Senators have been aggressively going after Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene. That deal is separate from the depth deal they were trying to make. The Senators and Avalanche are not close on a Duchene trade.
Defenseman Erik Karlsson could return for their season opener, or by next week. Karlsson being close to returning is why they are looking for a forward and not a defenseman.