- Jason Botchford via twitter: Canucks GM Mike Gillis said that when he was with the Canucks, Rick Rypien’s issues were never alcohol or drug related and that he was even reluctant to take anything prescribed.
- Rob Brodie of OttawaSenators.com: Daniel Alfredsson skated yesterday for the 1st times since having back surgery in June.
“It felt good to be back on the ice today,” he said afterward. “I was on for maybe an hour, an hour and 20 (minutes), did some drills and played a little bit of a scrimmage. It was fun. I was tired, but everything held up well and the back felt fine.”
Alfredsson hasn’t played in a game since February 7th. He hopes to be ready for the start of training camp in September. He’ll be back out skating on Thursday.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Chesnokov spoke with Alexei Yashin’s agent and said there is nothing new to report on negotiations.
- James O’Brien of Pro Hockey Talk: Jonas Hiller hopes to be ready to the start of training camp.
“Of course I know I still have to get some ice-training and I have to work hard towards it. But that is something that you do every year. And for that I am here in Switzerland. This is what I’m working towards. And then, I believe, that I’m going to be ready come training camp and the season. And the All-Star game is certainly a goal again.”
- Slava Malamud via twitter: Antti Mietinen (Wild) has finally signed with AK Bars Kazan of the KHL.
- Tom Reed via twitter: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson likes to award contract extensions to players leading up to the season. Think Antoine Vermette, Derek Dorsett, and Steve Mason. (He mentions Rostislav Klesla, but he was traded to Phoenix last year).
- Vicki Hall of the Calgary Herald: Flames GM on Daymond Langkow after he missed 78 games with a fractured vertebra:
“One of the guys who has consistently been at the training sessions is Daymond,” Feaster said. “He was fully cleared at the end of the season. He’s been fully training. No restrictions whatsoever
“He’s ready to go when camp opens.”
Feaster on Brendan Morrison who had surgery in April to repair a torn ACL:
“The big thing we’re going to have to do with him is to make sure he doesn’t overdo it,” Feaster said. “He’s pushing to be ready for camp, and our point to him is to follow what the doctors are telling him and make sure he’s fully healed.
“But he’s progressing very, very nicely. He’s very happy and so is the medical staff.”