Columbus Blue Jackets 2013-14 Season Primer
Team Outlook from McKeen's Hockey Guide: Without Rick Nash, the Blue Jackets were expected to finish at or near the bottom of the standings in 2013. Instead, they soared in the second half of the shortened season thanks in large part…
Lines and Defensive Pairings for 13 Teams
Matt Kalman: Bruins lines: Lucic-Krejci-Iginla,Camara-Spooner-Johnson,Fraser-Soderberg-Cunningham,Paille-Fallstrom-Thornton. Pittsburgh Penguins: Penguins lines: Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis, Jokinen-Sutter-Conner, Zolniercyzk-Megna-Uher, Gibbons-Drazenovic-Adams. David Alter: Maple Leafs lines: JVR-Bozak-Kessel. McKegg-Smith-Clarkson. D'Amigo-Ashton-Kulemin. Ross-Crescenzi-Bodie. James Mirtle: Defensive pairings: Gardiner-Brennan, Rielly-Granberg, Fraser-MacWilliam. Jessica Rusnak: Canadiens lines: Pacioretty-DD-Briere, Moen-White-Leblanc, Hudon-Dumont-Thomas, Fournier-Tarnasky-Blunden. Defensive pairings: Gorges-Subban, Murray-Bouillon, Nygren-Dietz. Tom Gulitti: Devils lines: Pesonen-Henrique-Bernier;…
Morning Hits: Blues, Barrie, Coyotes, Hedberg and Biron
Jeremy Rutherford: Before Alex Pietrangelo's press conference, GM Doug Armstrong, coach Ken Hitchcock and Pietrangelo were standing in a circle talking. Armstrong jokingly said: "This might be the best team I’ve ever been associated with and the only thing that can screw…
Lines from Yesterday: Stars, Blue Jackets, Blackhawks, Hurricanes, Kings and Red Wings
Mark Stepneski: Stars Vern Fiddler centered Lane MacDermid and Brett Ritchie yesterday. Rob Mixer: Blue Jackets Redor Tyutin and Jack Johnson have been consistent pairings on the blueline. Scott Powers: Brandon Saad centered Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp again. Michael…
Free Agent Hits: Cowen, Stepan, Thomas, Boll and Raymond
Bruce Garrioch: Expect Jared Cowen and Senators to come to a four year deal worth around $12 million today. James Gordon: The Senators offered Cowen a four-year deal worth around $3 million yesterday according to assistant GM Tim Murray. John…
Injury Notes II: Jovanovski, Murray, Jagr, Carlyle, Lowry and Toews
Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: There is no guarantee that Panthers Ed Jovanovski will play another game after his major hip surgery. He has been rehabbing and skating all off-season, but there is still uncertainty regarding his future. “I’ve been…
Tim Thomas Decision Could Come As Early As Today
Craig Custance: UFA goalie Tim Thomas could make a decision as early as today. He's having discussions with multiple teams. Joe Yerdon: Teams that may be looking for goalie help: Flames, Islanders and maybe the Panthers now that Scott Clemmensen…
Morning Hits: Giroux, Timonen, Yakupov, Suter and Hunwick
Stephen Whyno: Team Canada GM Steve Yzerman said that Claude Giroux not attending orientation camp won't hurt his chance making the team. Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen signed a one-year, $6 million this offseason. Many thought it…
Free Agent Hits: Pietrangelo, Stepan, Henrique and Bobrovsky
Mark Masters: Blues RFA defenseman Alex Pietrangelo: "I’m not even thinking about holding out. I’m thinking about training camp & being there." Steve Zipay of Newsday: Rangers RFA center Derek Stepan gave no indication that he'll hold out and not…
Morning Hits: Boyle, Ward, Rajala and Horton
Brian Stubits of CBS Sports: Rangers GM Glen Sather said on Team 1260 radio that he is getting trade calls about Brian Boyle. "I've had a lot of requests for Brian's services," Sather said. "I'm not anxious to trade him.…
Free Agent Hits: Grabovski, Henrique, Johansson and Murray
Katie Carrera: The Capitals have signed center Mikhail Grabovski to a one-year, $3 million contract. Grabovsky's agent said that 12 teams were interested in Grabovski, but coach Adam Oates was the difference: “His enthusiasm to work w/ Mikhail convinced us…
Morning Hits: Giroux Injury, Devils, Sabres, Prout, Beaulieu and Landeskog
Philadelphia Flyers: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren's statement on Claude Giroux's injury. "Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux had successful surgery this afternoon on his right index finger performed by Dr. Katherine Boyd at the Ottawa Civic Hospital in Ottawa, Canada. Giroux was…