- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Source confirms that the Bruins have interest in UFA Kevin Hayes. Hayes is looking for a situation where he could compete for an NHL roster spot this season. That wouldn’t happen in Chicago. Jarome Iginla and Shawn Thornton leaving the Bruins has opened up a forward roster spot or two, and with Hayes getting a entry-level deal, it could work financially as well. The Panthers and Flames are said to be among the teams interested in him. The Panthers have his brother Jimmy, and he has former college linemates in Calgary. Sources several weeks ago said the Predators and Avalanche were also interested. Other teams that have been mentioned include the Rangers, Coyotes and Penguins.
- Alex Prewitt and Mike DeBonis of the Washington Post: (s/t Chris Peters of CBS Sports) The Capitals will face the Blackhawks at this years Winter Classic, but the venue for the January 1st game has not been officially announced yet. Nationals Park is the likely venue for the game, but they have also looked at RFK Stadium and FedEx Field.
The chief executive of Events DC, the city authority that administers RFK Stadium, said his agency has had no direct role in the Winter Classic site discussions in months.
Under the Nationals’ lease with the city, the team would have final say in allowing the use of the publicly financed, city-owned ballpark. Events DC CEO Greg O’Dell said Friday he understands negotiations between the Nationals and the NHL are ongoing. “I have not been told definitively by anybody that they have ceased discussions,” he said.
O’Dell said his agency floated RFK Stadium as a possible location for the Winter Classic months ago and had some discussions with the NHL about that site, but the league has not approached Events DC about RFK since talks with the Nationals began.
The NHL also inquired about the mall.
According to a spokesperson for the National Parks Service, the NHL made an informal enquiry about using the National Mall, but no permit applications have been issued.
The Redskins and Cowboys play at FedEx Field on the December 28th, so that wouldn’t leave much time to get the rink ready.