Hutton and Claesson get contracts
Rick Dhaliwal: The Los Angeles Kings have signed free agent defenseman Ben Hutton to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.
Cap Friendly: The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Fredrik Claesson to a one-year, two-way contract.
He’ll get $700,000 in the NHL, $100,000 in the minors with $200,000 guaranteed.
Claesson had been in camp on a PTO.
Injury updates
Joe Smith: Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper didn’t have an update on forward Alex Killorn. They don’t think it’s serious but pulled him as a precaution.
Montreal Canadiens: Defenseman Noah Juulsen will be seeing a second specialist for another opinion about his headaches.
Forward Michael McCarron is day-to-day with a groin issue.
Eric Engel: Canadiens defenseman Karl Alzner is day-to-day with a groin injury. He was on the ice yesterday.
Jim Matheson: Edmonton Oilers coach Dave Tippett said that Zack Kassian is dealing with a minor leg injury. He’s still able to practice.
Charlie Roumeliotis: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Calvin de Haan said that he hopes to be ready for their season opener.
Tom Gulitti: Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny left practice after about 20 minutes, which has kind of been the norm for him so far on most days. On Saturday he did stay on for the full skate and a bit extra after.
CBA talks seem to be going well
Dan Rosen of NHL.com: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said yesterday that they are encouraged how things have gone with the NHLPA and how there won’t be any work stoppages for the next three seasons.
“I think the relationship is in a good place,” Commissioner Bettman said following a Board of Governors meeting. “That provides an opportunity for us together to do good things.”
The sides are still talking about the future of game and Bettman hasn’t ruled out the idea of CBA being extended beyond 2021-22.
“I think we’re going to continue to work together on a timely basis, whatever that means, to see what we can accomplish together in terms of securing long-term labor peace beyond the three years,” the Commissioner said.