- Erik Erendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina has been declared concussion free and is ready for the start of training camp. Kubina wants to see a standard established for headshots and not on a case-by-case basis.
“You know, the headshots, it’s always going to happen in hockey,” said Kubina, who received a three-game suspension in March for an inadvertent elbow to Chicago’s Dave Bolland. “I would just like to see that if you hit somebody in the head, whether it’s accidental or not, it should be the same for everybody, whatever it is, three games, five games, 10 games, it’s up to the league. It can’t be like before where some guys don’t get anything while some guys a few games here or a few games there.
“If you elbow somebody in the head, it should be the same for everyone, that’s how I feel.”
- Ross Romaniuk and Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Dustin Byfuglien’s lawyer said that he passed a breathalyser test after he was arrested in Minnesota on suspected drunk boating. Byfuglien didn’t feel it was necessary to submit a urine sample after he passed the breathalyser. His blood-alcohol test registered 0.03%, 0.08% is the legal limit.
- Winnipeg Free Press: The Jets have invited goalie David Aebischer, and forwards Troy Bodie, David Koci and Janne Pesonen to training camp on a pro tryout.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: A source is saying that Calgary businessman Max Chambers has been in discussions with the St. Louis Blues ownership about purchasing the team. Chambers at one point was interested in the Coyotes. Bryan Trottier is the one of the front man in Chambers’ group. Chambers entered as a potential owner “last few weeks,” the source said, and he has “all the financing in place that would allow him to proceed quickly.” The firm conducting the sale, Game Plan LLC, has indicated that it is possible that the sale could be done by the start of the season. They have been trying to sell the team since last March.
- Elliotte Friedman of CBC.ca: Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said that he wanted to bring in defenseman Sheldon Souray before signing him on July 1st but he couldn’t afford it until he was bought out by the Oilers.
- Todd Cordell via twitter: Cordell makes note that CSNNE is reporting that Bruins forward Nathan Horton is symptom free from his concussion and is ready for the season.
- Jim Matheson via twitter: Ryan Whitney (ankle) and Ales Hemsky (shoulder) are still recovering from their surgeries and may not play in the Oilers early exhibition games.
- Eric Stephens via twitter: After being bought out by the Devils in early August, Trent Hunter may be heading to the LA Kings camp on a tryout.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: Brad Winchester turned down a 1-way contract and several 2-way offers before he accepted a tryout from the Sharks.
- Arthur Staple via twitter: Staple thinks it’s a no-doubter that Mark Streit is named the Islanders next captain.