Is the David Backes “Injury” Boston’s salvation?
NBC Sports Boston Joe Haggerty: The Boston Bruins eyeing salary-cap help in any way are hoping that David Backes is injured. That is one option. Another choice involves praying one of their injured players from the summer is still hurt. Kevan Miller and John Moore may both be banged up still and those two players would free up $5.25 million more in cap space.
Remember, Backes frees up $6 million and that becomes the big “cash cow” here. Now, there is some talk of more post-concussion syndrome issues. On the other hand, David Backes was at the captain’s practice on Wednesday. So, there is that.
Boston seems not too concerned about this salary-cap crunch. Apparently, there is a plan in place or they are playing a fine game of poker.
More on Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy
Charlie McAvoy and the Boston Bruins are both in purgatory when it comes to each other. One reason is because of the Brandon Carlo and cap space issues. It will get done but patience is needed.
"A lot of moving parts for the Boston Bruins right now." #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/q70wsn48tC
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 29, 2019
Ken Holland‘s first training camp with Edmonton fraught with dilemmas
Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal: A litany of issues Ken Holland has to address include monitoring rookie development, Jesse Puljujarvi, and much more.
The key for the Oilers is being patient. Also, the development of players like Philip Broberg and Evan Bouchard are critical to Edmonton’s longer-term fortunes. It looks like the coaching staff eyes Adam Larsson and Darnell Nurse as a shutdown pair. That means Oscar Klefbom would be on the top power-play once again.
Jesse Puljujarvi started off well in Karpat but understand the level of hockey indicates he should. The real story is the recovery of Kailer Yamamoto who had wrist surgery in May. He still is not nearly ready to go fully at training camp. It has been four months and needless to say there are concerns.