On Scouting the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins …
Fluto Shinzawa: Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli and Blues GM Doug Armstrong were at MSG last night watching the Rangers and Bruins.
On Scouting the Toronto Maple Leafs and Minnesota Wild …
Lance Hornby: With the 20-game mark getting close, at least 14 teams had scouts at last night’s Maple Leafs – Wild game.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: A Russian website, Championat.com, is reporting that the St. Louis Blues have offered suspended KHL forward Danis Zaripov a contract. The Blues declined to comment yesterday. Zaripov’s agent Dan Milstein wouldn’t really say if the Blues were interested.
“But you can quote me on this,” Milstein told the Post-Dispatch Wednesday. “I do not have a contract in my hands (from the Blues).”
Zaripov has banned from the KHL and IIHF for two years for doping. The substance he was caught for is not banned by the NHL.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Pierre LeBrun: Dan Milstein, Nikita Soshnikov’s agent, said that he wants to remain in the NHL.
Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Milstein confirms Pierre LeBrun’s report that if Soshnikov is not on an NHL roster by Tuesday, he can return to the KHL.
“At that time if he is not called up to the NHL he has the option to go to Russia,” Dan Milstein, Soshnikov’s agent, told the Star. “It will be up to the general manager and the coaching staff to make a decision.
“In my opinion, Nikita Soshnikov is an NHL player.”
The Maple Leafs could work out something with Soshnikov and Milstein to remain in the AHL and not to return to the KHL right away.
With Auston Matthews out last night, the Leafs recalled Frederik Gauthier, who doesn’t require waivers to be returned to the AHL.
Michael Augello: SKA St. Petersburg hold Soshnikov’s KHL rights, and agent Milstein said they hadn’t approached SKA about a potential return just yet.