NHL History: The Most Unlikely Birthplaces of Hockey Players
North America, Canada specifically, has been the unofficial home to hockey for over a century, producing the modern game as we know it today and the vast majority of players who have played it. Modern-day hockey is thought to have…
Rumors I: Penguins, Devils and Red Wings
Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford on free agency. “There aren’t as many top-end guys, what you would call the ‘impact guys,’ ” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said. “But there are still good players who…
Rumors VIII: Penguins Search For Top-Six and Where It Could Lead Them
Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins have been looking for a top-six winger for a while. The supply is low and the prices are high.GM Jim Rutherford is considering moving Brandon Sutter to get a top-six - a…
Rumors I: Saad, Penguins, Stars, Oilers and Canucks
Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks Brandon Saad will be a RFA after the season and could tempt teams to tender him an offer sheet. GM Stan Bowman doesn't see him going anywhere though. "He's emerged as a guy…
Rumors II: Penguins Offseason Outlook and Malkin Trade Destinations
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said that ownership would not hold them back on potential buyouts, with Rob Scuderi and Chris Kunitz as possible candidates. “I have full support from ownership to do what's necessary…
Rumors: Staal, Penguins, Milbury and Bruins, Chiarelli and Leafs
Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes coach Bill Peters said that an immediate need is to "go out and get some D-men." They could look to some blueliners through free agency, but they might have to turn to…
Morning Hits: Bishop, Gunnarsson, Blues and Adams
Dan Rosen of NHL.com: Lightning goalie Ben Bishop on his elbow and wrist injuries that ended his season early last year. "That was the plan as soon as the season ended to have the wrist taken care of. The elbow…
Afternoon Hits: Unconditional waivers, Scuderi, Alfredsson, Thomas, Adams and Flyers
Bob McKenzie: 12 noon today was the last chance for teams to put players on unconditional waivers for purpose of compliance buyout. Players that have no-movement clauses, like Mike Komisarek, can be bought out without going through waivers. Bob McKenzie:…
Free Agent Hits: Smith, Letang, Gagner, Duchene, Bobrovsky, Nabokov, Briere, Alfie, Weiss, Pens, Rangers and Devils
Darren Dreger: Mike Smith's contract with the Coyotes is still being finalized, but sounding like it's 6-years around $5.7 million per season. Renaud Lavoie: Kris Letang's camp and Penguins GM Ray Shero talked yesterday. Still no deal. They met again…
Free Agent Rumors: Letang, Bobrovsky, Panthers, Bruins, Lecavalier, Lundqvist, Bickell, Wild, Stars and Ott
Will DePaoli: Kris Letang talks haven't been shut down and the team will circle back one more time. Rob Rossi: The Penguins are willing to go "around" $7 million a season for 8 years. Aaron Portzline: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo…
NHL-NHLPA meet for 7 hours … Still a long way to go … Players who attended the meetings
Chris Johnston (CP) in the Global News: The NHL and NHLPA met for about 7 hours yesterday, with the meeting wrapping up around 10:15 pm. Both sides didn't want to say much about how things went. "With meetings scheduled to…
Afternoon waiver notes, injury updates, lines and starting goalies
Renaud Lavoie via twitter: The Coyotes have claimed Gilbert Brule off re-entry waivers. Bob McKenzie via twitter: Clearing waivers today: Tim Sestito (NJ), Brodie Dupont (NASH) and Mark Fraser (ANA). Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers forward Jordan Eberle will be…