- On Daniel Alfredsson’s return to Ottawa from Ian Mendes at TSN.ca: Alfredsson is set to join the Senators’ front office in the hockey operations department. After a tumultuous breakup between the Sens and Alfredsson, the long-time captain left for Detroit to play his final NHL season. That relationship seems to be healed. Alfredsson’s role is yet to be defined. GM Bryan Murray has indicated that the 2015-16 season will be his last as general manager.
- Mats Zuccarello should be ready for camp, as per Dan Rosen at NHL.com: In the 2015 playoffs, Zuccarrello suffered a fractured skull and brain contusion, briefly losing his ability to speak. Rosen reports that Rangers coach Alain Vigneault says the forward is now fully healthy and will be in training camp with the team next month. Vigneault said,
He’s been cleared to skate and have contact. He’s made a full recovery, so we’re very pleased about that. He’s a big part of our team.
- Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun on Stephane Robidas’ return: Hornby writes that the Leafs’ veteran defenseman has recovered from ankle and shoulder surgeries and is skating in advance of training camp. Hornby speculates that Robidas will be part of the Leafs’ top-six defensemen. Robidas said,
I know I can still play. I have a passion for it, I still love it. Last year…I played with the bad shoulder. I couldn’t sleep at night. I’m not looking for any excuses or anything like that, but I had started to feel (comfortable) and then the shoulder gave in.
Robidas may be counted on for his experience on the blue line in Toronto next season.
- On Jimmy Howard’s role in Detroit, from Ansar Khan at MLive.com: Khan writes that Howard has lost his starting job to Petr Mrazek after Howard was pulled in the playoffs last season. Howard faces an uphill battle in camp as new Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill won the AHL Calder Cup in 2013 with Mrazek and may be more comfortable trusting in his former starter. Khan speculates that Howard may move on next season, listing the Sabres, Sharks, Oilers, and Leafs as possible landing spots.
- On Derek Roy, from Jim Matheson at the Edmonton Journal: Despite the teacher-student relationship that developed between Roy and Nail Yakupov, the Oilers did not re-sign Roy after they selected Connor McDavid at the draft. Matheson notes that Yakupov was learning to stay in his spots and follow on-ice instructions from his centre. Roy remains a UFA and Matheson adds that a number of KHL teams have expressed interest.