Players placed on waivers today …
Bob McKenzie: Peter Holland clears waivers. Placed on waivers today: Chris Breen (BOS), Paul Postma (BOS), Jussi Jokinen (CBJ), Cody Golobeuf (CgY), Lance Bouma (CHI), Chris Stewart (MIN), Alex Burrows (OTT), James O’Brien (OTT), Johnny Oduya (OTT), Mark Alt (PHI), John Muse (PHI), Chris Thorburn (STL).
Rick Dhaliwal: The Canuck have shown interest in Chris Stewart in the past, but he may not be a fit anymore.
Sens Communications: The Senators signed Jim O’Brien to a two-year, two-way deal for the rest of this season and next year. Going on waivers to allow him to continue playing in the AHL.
Boston Bruins: The Bruins sign Chris Breen to a one-year, two-way deal. On waivers so he can be assigned to the AHL.
On Ilya Kovalchuk …
Alex Nunn: Ilya Kovalchuk confirms to championat.com that he intends to return to the NHL.
Aivis Kalnins: Kovalchuk confirms that he’ll be leaving the KHL after this season to pursue the NHL again.
Andrew Gross: There will not be a Devils-Kovalchuk reunion.
Pierre LeBrun: July 1st Kovalchuk would become an unrestricted free agent.
A couple Olympians get NHL deals …
Joe Haggerty: The Bruins have signed Brian Gionta to a one-year, $700,000 deal to bring “depth, veteran leadership.”
Pierre LeBrun: The Ducks will be signing Chris Kelly to a one-year, pro-rated $1.25 million deal plus bonuses.
Matthews to the IR …
James Mirtle: The Maple Leafs have put Auston Matthews on the IR to free up a roster spot for Tomas Plekanec.
Canucks not sitting anyone leading up to the trade deadline …
Rick Dhaliwal: Defenseman Ben Hutton returns to the lineup tonight. The Canucks don’t plan on sitting anyone out tonight because of tomorrow trade deadline.
Letestu may not arrive in time …
Aaron Portzline: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen isn’t sure if Mark Letestu will get through immigration before their game tomorrow.
No cap relief about would save salary …
Jason Brough: If the Senators were to buy out Alex Burrows, they wouldn’t get any salary cap relief, but they would save about a $1 million. He’s on a 35+ deal.