Elliotte Friendman of Sportsnet: Jets Evander Kane was scratched from last night’s game which was in his hometown. Jets coach Paul Maurice didn’t say it was injury related.
Sabres Cody Hodgson was benched last Friday. If the Sabres were to buyout Hodgson this year, they would only have to buy him out for 1/3 of his salary as he’ll only be turning 25 later this month. Players that are 26 and older are owed 2/3 of their salary.
Can’t see how the Canadiens are comfortable with their blueline. Friedman wonders if Tyler Myers could handle Montreal and notes that the Canadiens have a goalie prospect in Zach Fucale who is blocked by Carey Price.
Kings Martin Jones is getting interest from teams, though likely not available. He’s a RFA at the end of the season.
There have been no contract talks between the Wild and Devan Dubnyk.
Coyotes GM Don Maloney has let it be known that he’s looking for young, offensive forwards, but he’s also looking for a stout defenseman or two. Maloney said last week he’s getting more calls regarding Martin Hanzal over the likes of Antoine Vermette and Keith Yandle. It would take a lot to get Hanzal from them.
Some teams think the Avalanche could be a dark horse for Antoine Vermette.
It may not be ready until next fall, but NHL.com will have every game sheet dating back to 1917-18.
Rob Blake has heard the Toronto rumors: “I’m set in Los Angeles for awhile. This is a perfect setup for my family. And I’ve still got a lot to learn. This is the best place to do it.”
Coming from the word that the Maple Leafs weren’t interested in a Dion Phaneuf for Mike Richards deal without something else coming back to improve the deal: “It says they think they can make a really good hockey deal for him,” one executive said. There is definitely interest in him.
The Leafs offer to Cody Franson for around $4.6 million for possibly three years was turned down. One agent said that type of scenario gives the team right to say they tried.
Evgeni Nabokov is expected to retire later this week.
Martin Brodeur on if he was close to signing with the Canadiens last summer: “No. I talked to them, I loved their team, but I wanted to go out west if I was going to go somewhere.”