Injury notes
Jeremy Rutherford: St. Louis Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson is close to being able to return to the lineup according to coach Craig Berube.
Buffalo Sabres: Defenseman Lawrence Pilut had shoulder surgery and will be out for five to six months.
Dan Rosen: Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Kesler had surgery on his hip again and is unlikely to play next season. This doesn’t mean that his NHL career is over.
“As we all know, Ryan has been fiercely battling his condition for quite some time,” said Executive VP/General Manager Bob Murray. “I’ve been extremely impressed by his determination to play despite being significantly injured. At this point, Ryan needs to think about his life and family. The pain he felt was significant and we agree with his decision to have this surgery. While it’s unlikely he will play in 2019-20, we will support any decision he makes about his future playing career. He deserves the utmost respect, which he will receive from the entire Ducks organization as he contemplates his future.”
Eric Stephens: Ryan Kesler: “The pain I was suffering has been greatly reduced since the procedure, and I’m grateful for that. While my playing future is unknown, I’m in a good place.”
Should Ryan Kesler not play again while under contract, he’d become the 12th player since 08/09 to spend at least three full seasons in that status. Total years, cap hit and salary (including signing bonus) for those players shown here (h/t @CapFriendly): pic.twitter.com/8MXrQlFLhG
— NHLInjuryViz (@NHLInjuryViz) May 13, 2019
Entry-level signings
Eric Stephens: The Anaheim Ducks have signed 2018 3rd round pick Lukas Dostal to a three-year, entry-level deal.
Avalanche PR: The Colorado Avalanche have signed goaltender Adam Werner to a two-year, entry-level deal.
Ansar Khan: The Detroit Red Wings will sign Finnish defenseman Oliwer Kaski to a one-year contract after the World Championships.
NHL.com: The Los Angeles Kings have signed 2012 fourth round pick Nikolai Prokhorkin to a one-year, entry-level deal.
John Hoven: Prokhorkin’s contract does include a European assignment clause if he doesn’t make the Kings.