Morning Hits: Chara, Varlamov, McCarthy, Kennedy and Shore
Joe Haggerty: The Bruins confirm that Zdeno Chara will miss this final two pre-Olympic games so that he can carry the Slovakian flag during the Olympic opening ceremonies. Renaud Lavoie: Avs Semyon Varlamov's contract details: $6.25 million 2014-15, $6 million 2015-16,…
Injury Notes: Stamkos, Eriksson, Steen, Comeau, Barkov, Cammalleri and Grabovski
Bob McKenzie: News on the x-rays of Steven Stamkos' leg are believed to be very encouraging. He will continue to push his on and off ice workouts. How his leg responds to the extra workload will determine when he's able…
Injury Notes: Vokoun, Greene, Ovechkin, Ebbett, Tallinder, Howard and Barkov
Inside Pittsburgh Sports: Penguins Tomas Vokoun is off the blood thinners and is planning to skate today. Will DePaoli: Vokoun may be a month away from the Penguins knowing if he can play at all this season. Jon Rosen: Kings Matt…
Morning Rumors II: Stars, Maple Leafs, Hurricanes, Panthers, Predators, Flyers, Emery and Fighting and the Sabres
TSN Insider Trading: Dreger: doesn't think that Nail Yakupov will be traded this year. They have no intentions of trading him. McKenzie: Stars Vernon Fiddlerwent to the team and said he wants more ice time and bigger role. If they…
NHL Rookie Watch: Aleksander Barkov – Florida Panthers
Aleksander Barkov Scouting Reports Date of birth: 09/02/1995 Height: 6' 2" Weight: 205 Position: C Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round, 2nd overall in 2013 by Florida Corey Pronman Hockey Prospectus - @coreypronman Year in Review: Barkov had one of the greatest…
Morning Hits: Despres, Lightning, Red Wings, Fraser, 2013 draft picks and St. Louis
Dave Molinari: Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said the "major portion" of the decision to send Simon Despres to the AHL was that he is waiver-exempt. Erik Erlendsson: The sending of Ondrej Palat to the AHL and recalling of Brett Connolly…
Morning Hits: Stastny-Miller, Helm, Senators Captaincy, Byfuglien, Brunette and Barkov
Darren Dreger: Sabres source said the Paul Stastny-Ryan Miller trade rumors are bogus. Brendan Savage of MLive: Red Wings Darren Helm is progressing from his back injury, but may not be ready to start the season. "I'm not thinking about…
Quick Hits: Young Panthers, Belanger and Kovalchuk
George Richards: The Panthers have just over $10 million in cap hits including bonuses for Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and Erik Gudbranson. $1 million base plus salary. Renaud Lavoie: Eric Belanger signed a one year contract with Yekaterinburg of the…
Morning Hits: Bruins, Hemsky and Barkov
CSNNE: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli: “I think right now we’re going to stand pat. I like the fact that we’re going to have competition on the third line. We have some good young players already in the organization that we…
Draft Hits: Maple Leafs, Devils, Predators, Kings and Senators
Rob Longley: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis on moving up at the draft: "Our scouts feel there will be a quality player at 21." Tom Gulitti: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello doesn't rule out trading up or down, depends on opportunity.…
Draft Hits: The Avalanche stirred up the market and Hurricanes could move back
Craig Custance of ESPN: The Avalanche stirred up the market when Joe Sakic said they would be taking a forward with the first overall pick. "He's trying to drum up a market," Oilers GM Craig MacTavish said Wednesday. "It's going…
Draft and Trade Rumors: Avalanche, Maple Leafs, Panthers, Senators, Penguins and Ducks
Adrian Dater: Lots of talk that the Avalanche are trying to create a smokescreen by saying they are taking a forward at No. 1. General managers aren't buying it. Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Joe Sakic didn't back down from saying…