- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Ryan Suter wanted to clear the air a bit on comments he made Friday (see yesterday’s post). Suter contacted ESPN and his GM David Poile.
“I was watching TV this morning and one guy said I was definitely going to test the open market,” Suter told ESPN.com. “I never said that. So I just want people to know that I’m focused on helping our team win and I think that’s the most important thing right now.”
“It made it seem like I was giving up on my teammates and I don’t like the sound of that, because it’s not true at all,” Suter said.
“I hope I don’t get traded; I hope I can stay in Nashville,” Suter said. “Because we have a chance to win, we have a pretty good team.”
- Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: The Penguins medical staff may have mis-diagnosed part of Sidney Crosby’s injury. Crosby appears to have fractured vertebrae that was missed by team doctors for weeks. Possible fractures to the C1 and C2 vertebrae may have been discovered, to go along with his concussion according to his agent Pat Brisson. Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: It is not a career-threatening injury, and there is a chance that he could be back this season if his concussion symptoms are resolved.
“The diagnosis of Dr. Robert S. Bray, a neurological spine specialist based in Los Angeles, is that Sidney Crosby had suffered a neck injury in addition to a concussion. Dr. Bray reports that the neck injury is fully healed. Those findings will be evaluated by independent specialists over the next few days. The most important goal all along has been Sidney’s return to full health, and we are encouraged that progress continues to be made.”
- Sam Carchdi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: There rumblings that Shea Weber or Ryan Suter could become available. Suter would be more likely to be traded before Weber. If the Flyers were to make a deal, they’d want assurance that he would sign a long term deal with them. Other potential blueline targets for the Flyers could be Tim Gleason and Bryan Allen (Car), Luke Schenn (Tor), Hal Gill (Mon), and Mark Eaton (NYI).
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Shinzawa goes through some players the Bruins could be interested in. Hurricanes Tim Gleason could be a good fit. The Bruins could use some bottom 6 depth. Coyotes Ray Whitney and Hurricanes Tuomo Ruutu are possibilities.
- Jesse Spector via twitter: Gary Bettman says the NHL isn’t subsidizing the New Jersey Devils. Spector adds: “That doesn’t mean the league isn’t providing cash advances or whatnot.”
- Jesse Spector via twitter: Bettman says the League is ready and waiting for the NHLPA to start CBA talks, he’s unsure on when they will begin.
- David Shoalts via twitter: Bettman added there have been no talks regarding the City of Glendale getting another $25 million extension for next season.
- Chris Botta via twitter: As far as Botta has heard, there is nothing major or even moderate going on with Islanders trade talks.
- HockeyCentral: NHL Sources Say: “news that next year’s all-star festivities will take place in Columbus, and talk the latest financials for St. Louis and New Jersey.”