- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins owner Mario Lemieux and coach Dan Bylsma spoke recently with Sidney Crosby and “expressed cautious optimism” that their captain will be ready for training camp.
“I can’t wave a wand and tell you exactly how it’s going to play out,” Bylsma said. “He’s worked hard. He’s worked harder in some areas than he has in the past. I know he’s active.”
- Chris Kuc via twitter: Patrick Kane said the recovery process is going well. He could miss the beginning of training but will be 100% for the season opener. Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Kane still has a cast on from his offseason wrist surgery, and hasn’t skated in full gear yet. Targets Oct. 7th opener.
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney is still feeling the effects from his surgically repaired foot and ankle.
“My reports suggest that,” Renney said. “My converstations with Ryan himself maybe suggest otherwise, but only to a small degree. There is some trepidation there that it’s still a little tender. He’s got a little bit of pain there. But from what I can gather, and even in talking to Ryan, it’s more of a function of scar tissue breaking down, which is actually healthy, and makes the joint healthier, so that’s the kind of thing you get in July and August when you don’t see the whites of their eyes.”
- The Fourth Period: So with the Sabres needing to shed some money, and the Coyotes needing a center, the 2 teams could come together. Brad Boyes at $4 million has the ability to play center. Jochen Hecht and his $3.5 million contract could also be available, but is not as attractive as others.
- Brett Cyrgalis of the NY Post: Islanders GM Garth Snow yesterday:
“Right now, I don’t have any plans to add another forward to our group,” Snow told The Post. “As much as we’d like to add quality veterans, we’re not going to box out our young guys.”
This statement will likely have the most affect on Alexei Yashin, as the 2 sides have linked together this summer.
- Bruce Garrioch via twitter: 5 teams are showing interest in Chris Campoli.
- Slava Malamud via twitter: Former Devil Sergei Brylin was interested in returning to the club, but they weren’t interested in him. He signed with Novokuznetsk of the KHL.
- Will DePaoli via twitter: Penguins forward Craig Adams had appendectomy surgery last week and is expected to ready for the start of training camp.
- Slava Malamud via twitter: Slava Fetisov recently said that agents are able to buy spots on the Russian national team for their clients.