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Sunday notes involving Crosby, Maple Leafs, Whitney, Oilers, Waivers, Rangers, Gudbranson, Smaby and a Shanahan video
Mark Easson
AP in the Globe and Mail: Penguins forward Sidney Crosby is expected to miss the Penguins home opener next week. Crosby has been practicing with the team since Sept. 17th, but hasn’t been cleared for contact yet.
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: The Maple Leafs are looking to package some of their depth to acquire an established player. They have too many forwards and defenseman. They lack high-level offensive and physical players. Matthew Lombardi may be better suited for Phil Kessel’s center as he is a left handed shot, Tim Connolly and Kessel are both right handed shots.
Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star: Leafs forward Clarke MacArthur was suspended for the last nights pre-season game and 2 regular season games for his hit on Justin Abdelkader on Friday night. (Shanahan video at bottom of the post)
Kevin McGran of hte Toronto Star: Leafs coach Ron Wilson knows what the Leafs opening roster will look like. GM Brian Burke said that if Jake Gardiner makes the team, he’d likely be paired with Mike Komisarek. McGran says that Komisarek is a top 6 for sure. McGran doesn’t think the Leafs should keep either Jay Rosehill or Colton Orr on the roster.
Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: Ray Whitney’s name keeps popping up as a possible Bruins, and it’s not the first time. The 39 year old will be a UFA at season’s end, and is coming off a 57 point season. Once Marc Savard is put on LTIR, the Bruins would have the space for him. Adam Larsson looks to have made the Devils, and could see time on the top power play unit.
Jim Matheson via twitter: Matheson wonders if Oilers could trade one of their young forwards for a puck moving defenseman. They need one with Ryan Whitney hurt.
Nick Kypreos via twitter: Oilers Taylor Fedun had a metal rod inserted into his broken femur. Icing will now become an NHL hot topic.
David Satriano of the NY Post: The Rangers cut their roster to 25. Dylan McIlrath to junior, and defensemen Tim Erixon and Blake Parlett, and forwards Ryan Bourque, Carl Hagelin, John Mitchell, Kris Newbury and Dale Weise to their AHL affiliate. Sean Avery and Erik Christensen are battling for the 13th forward roster spot.
Bob McKenzie via twitter: On waivers yesterday: Mancari, Duco, Parent, (VAN); Pouliot, Tikhonov (PHX); Mitchell, Newbury, Kris (NYR); Stapleton (WPG); St Pierre, Giroux, Holden, (CBJ).
Harvey Fialkov via twitter: Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson realizes he may get a 9 game “audition” before they deciding if he’ll stay with the club.
Steve Zipay via twitter: Zipay thinks that several teams could be interested in defenseman Ryan Parent. Parent was put on waivers by the Canucks.
Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Ducks defenseman Matt Smaby will be out 2-3 months with a torn ligament in his thumb. The Ducks have 26 players left on their camp roster. They have the option of putting Toni Lydman and Kurtis Foster on IR.
Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien was back practicing for a 45 minute session yesterday. He’s spent the past few days resting minor injuries.