On the Calgary Flames …
Roger Millions: The Flames are bringing defenseman Nicklas Grossmann to training camp on a PTO.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Ansar Khan of MLive: The Red Wings will have $9.3 million committed to their goaltending tandem this season. The Wings were unsuccessful in trading Jimmy Howard this offseason. Howard lost his starting job to Petr Mrazek, but he’s not going to allow it to get to him.
“Whatever my role is that’s what my role is going to be,” Howard said. “I’m going to work hard, bring a great attitude and find ways to get better in my game. That’s what I can control and that’s the approach I’m going to take into the season, find ways to basically reinvent myself out there on the ice.”
He added: “Obviously, it’s Pete’s job to lose (when) you finish the year in between the nets. It’s my job to push him, not only to make him better but me better as well.”
On the Toronto Maple Leafs and Stephane Robidas …
Alec Brownscombe of Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Maple Leafs defenseman Stephane Robidas was on 91.9 radio in Montreal talking about his injury. Quotes from 91.9 twitter feed translated to English:
“There is no improvement on the side of my leg, it’s impossible for me to play.”
“I’m 39 years old, it’s the last year of my contract… I haven’t played in two years.”
“Without ever mentioning retirement, Stéphane Robidas tells us: ‘I don’t see how I could return to the game.’”
Robidas has one-year left on his contract and will officially retire after the season.
On the Edmonton Oilers and Andrew Ference …
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Oilers: Oilers defenseman Andrew Ference hasn’t skated since his hip surgery in March. He’s been able to ride a bike for 100 kms, but he’s not expected to pass his medicals with the Oilers and will end up on the LTIR.
Ference has a year left on his deal at $3.25 million. He knew his time with the Oilers was coming to end even before his surgery, as they were sitting him and going with younger players. Ference knows his career is likely over.
“What is the terminology? I have a career-ending injury,” said Ference, 37.
“That’s the way I’m looking at it.”
“I got 16 years. I don’t feel I missed out. The people close to me walk on egg-shells until I tell them it’s OK. I told my wife it’s like graduating from high school. You go to high school, have a blast, have all these great parties but by the time you get to the end of high school, you say, ‘All right, I’m ready for the next step.’ You have fond memories. If I hadn’t won a Stanley Cup (2011 in Boston), that would be tough to swallow now.”
