Stephen Whyno: Gary Bettman said that if the Canadian dollar falls to 75 cents U.S. (currently at 78 center), the cap is estimated to be $71.5 million. Earlier projections were at $73 million.
James Mirtle: “Those NHL cap projections also indicate league revenues are up only between 2.7 and 4 per cent. One of smallest increases in cap era.”
Mark Lazerus: Islanders Nick Leddy won’t play against the Blackhawks tonight as had been expected: “It’s a little bittersweet. Obviously, I’m trying to get back as quick as I can.”
Jameson Olive: Dan Ellis will be in the net for the Panthers tonight as Roberto Luongo is still day-to-day.
Jameson Olive: Scratches for the Panthers tonight are Shawn Thornton, Tomas Kopecky and Alex Petrovic.
Ken Wiebe: Jets Jay Harrison and Keaton Ellerby stayed on the ice after their morning skate for some extra work. A good indication that both Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers will be in the lineup.
Scott Powers: Blackhawks lines: Sharp-Toews-Hossa, Saad-Vermette-Teravainen, Bickell-Richards-Carcillo/Versteeg, Desjardins-Kruger-Shaw.
Dave Molinari: Penguins lines: Kunitz-Sutter-Perron, Winnik-Crosby-Downie, Comeau-Spaling-Bennett and Ebbett-Lapierre-Adams.
Jeremy Rutherford: Blues Lines: Steen-Backes-Oshie Schwartz-Lehtera-Tarasenko Jaskin-Stastny-Berglund Porter-Ott-Reaves. Defensive pairings: Gunnarsson-Pietrangelo Bouwmeester-Michalek Lindbohm-Bortuzzo Goalie: Elliott.
Ken Wiebe: Jets lines: Ladd-Lowry-Frolik, Stafford-Scheifele-Wheeler, Tlusty-Slater-Stempniak, Thorburn-O’Dell-Halischuk. Defensive pairings: Enstrom-Myers, Stuart-Trouba, Pardy-Byfuglien and Harrison-Ellerby.
Andrew Gross of The Record: Rangers lines: Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash, Kevin Hayes-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello, Carl Hagelin-James Sheppard-J.T. Miller, Tanner Glass-Dominic Moore-Jesper Fast. PP1: Keith Yandle-Stepan, Kreider-Brassard-Nash, PP2: Ryan McDonagh-Dan Boyle, Miller-Hayes-Zuccarello