On Scottie Upshall …
John Matisz in the Toronto Sun: Veteran forward Scottie Upshall is still looking to sign with an NHL team, but isn’t that concerned just yet.
“There’s been some talks lately, more than earlier in the summer,” he continued, referring to interest from NHL teams while watching fellow BioSteel pro hockey campers smack pucks off the glass in front of his face.
Upshall has received some interest and offers from Europe and the KHL.
“The Olympics, the money that they hand out (in European leagues) … it’s hard to say no to that opportunity,” said Upshall, who captained Team Canada’s silver medal-winning 2003 world junior squad. “Playing for the Olympic team would be a dream come true.”
On the Detroit Red Wings and Andreas Athanasiou …
Rick Dhaliwal: Hearing that contract talks between the Detroit Red Wings and restricted free agent Andreas Athanasiou are going nowhere and he could be signing in the KHL soon.
Ansar Khan of MLive: Andreas Athanasiou’s agent, Darren Ferris, confirmed that Athanasiou is considering a one-year contract offer from a team in the KHL.
Red Wings GM Ken Holland said two weeks ago that he’s made a couple of contract offers to Athanasiou, but that they were not close to a deal. The Red Wings don’t have a lot of salary cap space and will likely be over the cap ceiling if/when they re-sign Athanasiou.
On James Wisniewski …
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic Cleveland: 33-year old defenseman James Wisniewski is hoping to get a call from an NHL team after playing in the KHL and AHL last season. Wisniewski has been skating in Columbus and is waiting for a call or text from his agent.
“Not even a (training camp) tryout offer,” he said.
“It’s been quiet for a lot of guys. One GM said they’d get back to me, but here it is, getting to be pretty late in the summer, and I haven’t heard anything.”