- Edward Fraser of The Hockey News: The Blackhawks have Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Corey Crawford under contract for next year at a combined $44.7 million. That leaves them less than $30 million for the rest of their roster. Niklas Hjalmarsson, Artem Anisimov and Bryan Bickell have a combined $12.7 million cap hit. One of the following will happen:
1) Chicago’s roster in 2016-17 will feature a lot of cheap prospects and reclamation projects, resulting in a top-heavy collection that will see a bunch of ice time.
2) One or two of the Big 6 has to go.
Fraser thinks the latter will happen, with Kane being the logical option due to his off-ice issues. From a hockey perspective, Hossa and/or Crawford would make sense.
- Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Flyers Luke Schenn knows his name has been in the rumor mill, and he’s not worried.
“It’s training camp,” said Schenn. “There’s nothing to be upset about. Still have a week to see how things will shake out here. Still a few games left. I just want to have a couple more good games.”
Schenn has been paired in practice with Brandon Manning. The Flyers have eight defensemen under contract and they could go with all eight to start the season.
“I don’t tend to worry about it,” Schenn said. “I know what it’s like. I’ve obviously enjoyed playing with the Flyers and would love to be a part of things. But, it’s also not my decision. I can only control what I do on the ice.”
- Dave Isaac of the Courier Post: Flyers Sean Couturier missed practice yesterday. He skated before but looked to be in discomfort. GM Ron Hextall said they’ll know more today.
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Tyler Graovac, Brett Bulmer, Mike Reilly and Tyson Strachan are battling for one or two spots on the Wild roster. The Wild cut 17 players yesterday. They put Ruslan Fedotenko, Zac Dalpe, Brett Sutter and Jared Knight on waivers.
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings Alexey Marchenko will likely start in the season in Grand Rapids no matter how well he plays in the preseason – unless there is an injury to veteran. He’d likely be the first defenseman recalled.
- Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: The left leg x-rays for Lightning’s Cedric Paquette came back negative and he’s listed as day-to-day. Pacquette blocked a shot on Saturday.