- Dan Carcillo’s NHL career may be over, from Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: The 30-year-old UFA isn’t concerned with finding a new home for the 2015-16 NHL season. As per Kuc, Carcillo hasn’t skated since winning the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks last season and isn’t in regular contact with his agent. Instead, Carcillo is focused on fatherhood and on growing his not-for-profit organization, “Chapter 5.” Carcillo’s new organization aims to smooth the transition for recently-retired NHL players. Carcillo’s NHL return is unclear.
- Nik Antropov eying an NHL return, as per Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Antropov was in Toronto for the BioSteel hockey camp this week and spoke about his interest in landing a tryout and returning to the NHL. Antropov said,
I have a year or two in me for sure…We’re talking to a couple of teams, who I won’t name. My experience is huge. I know the game has gotten a lot faster, which is why I’m at this camp. We’ll see where I end up. If anything comes up, I’ll be grateful. If not, I’ll have to think about what’s going on.
Hornby explains that Antropov has deep connections in Toronto from his time with the Leafs.
- From Luke Fox of Sportsnet on Lee Stempniak: Though Stempniak preferred to stay in Winnipeg, the team indicated a desire to give younger players a chance to earn roster spots. Stempniak said to Fox,
I was hoping to go back, but from what my agent told me, they were looking to give some spots to young guys. They have some very good prospects there that they were looking to give some ice time to…I don’t think we ever fully closed the door on it, but at this point, if I had to guess, it doesn’t look too promising.
Stempniak noted his age (32 years old) and stated a desire to hook on with a Stanley Cup contender for next season.
- From Jonathan Bombulie of TribLive Sports on Tyler Kennedy: After playing out his contract with the Islanders last season, Kennedy is now a free agent and is skating in Pittsburgh. Bombulie writes that Kennedy isn’t in town on a tryout like Sergei Gonchar. Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said the team hadn’t discussed extending an opportunity to Kennedy. Instead, the former Penguin is skating and hoping to get a chance to prove he can continue to be an effective third-liner in the NHL. Kennedy said,
I tried my best last year. I did everything I could to have a good year, and things didn’t really work out…I hope my agent does a good job. I have a lot of faith in him.
- On the return of Chris Phillips, from Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Brennan spoke with long-time Senators defenseman Chris Phillips, who admitted to contemplating retirement following back surgery last season. Instead, Phillips has returned to skating and is looking forward to returning to the team this year. The veteran blue liner would not commit to a timeline. Phillips said,
I hope to be . I would like to be. I’m going to work for that. But at the same time I have to be smart, and make sure I’m not doing stuff that’s going to make me have setbacks, that will slow the process down even more…Being on the ice, hopefully the setbacks are behind me, and we’re just looking ahead.
- Eric Tulsky may have input on coaching, from Terrell Williams at Hurricanes.com: Tulsky, a pioneer in the hockey analytics field, worked part-time for the Carolina Hurricanes last season. Now, the Canes have hired Tulsky full-time. As per the team, Tulsky will “provide and analyze data to assist the hockey operations department and coaching staff.” If involved with team coaches, Tulsky would be among the first hockey analytics thinkers to have direct interaction with the on-ice role with an NHL team.