Dunn back on the ice
Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube on defenseman Vince Dunn yesterday.
“Vince is doing pretty good,” coach Craig Berube said. “He actually skated yesterday, he’s going to skate today again. I’ll know more today. If he can get on the ice with us tomorrow it’s a real good thing. He’d be going in the right direction for sure.”
Thomas Welsch: Have been hearing that Blues defenseman Vince Dunn intends to play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Coaching notes
Bob McKenzie: The Ottawa Senators hired D.J. Smith as their new head coach. Smith was a Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach last season.
Mike Babcock’s other assistant coach Jim Hiller isn’t coming back. The Leafs will hire Florida Panthers assistant coach Paul McFarland.
Bob McKenzie: McFarland ran the Panthers power play last season, one that was the second best in the NHL.
The Leafs will need to find an assistant to run the defense and the penalty kill.
Renaud Lavoie: Jacques Martin interview with the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators for their head coaching positions. He has a year left on his contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins and will be back.
Player signings
David Pagnotta: The New York Islanders have signed forward Brock Nelson to a six-year, $36 million contract.
- Dobber Hockey: On the Nelson signing: “I would have thought that Lehner would be the priority. He wasn’t signed first, does this mean there are roadblocks? You sign your G, then budget around that. Odd they didn’t do this. Still plenty of room tho”
Johan Ekberg: Free agent Swedish forward Joakim Nygard will be signing with the Edmonton Oilers.
- Ryan Rishaug: Nygard will likely be signing a one-year, two-way, entry-level contract with the Oilers for under a $1 million. He would be a UFA after next season.
- Kurt Leavins: An official announcement from the Oilers on Nygard could come today.
Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins have re-signed defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a two-year contract with an AAV of $700,000.
Rutherford on Ruhwedel: “Chad has exemplified what it means to be a team player the past two years. His work ethic and conditioning have allowed him to jump into the lineup at a moment’s notice, which is vital to a team’s success.”
Winnipeg Jets: The Jets have signed defenseman Leon Gawanke to a three-year, entry-level contract with an AAV of $810,000. Gawanke was a 2017 fifth-round pick.
Chicago Blackhawks: The Blackhawks have signed forward Anton Wedin to a one-year deal with an AAV of $925,000.
Patrick Wiliams: Grand Rapids (AHL) defenseman Jake Chelios has signed with Red Star of the KHL.