Morning Hits: Hemsky, Jagr, Zherdev, Faksa and the Coyotes Finances
JoAnne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Interview with Oilers GM Craig MacTavish, on if he's spoken with Ales Hemsky or his agent about coming to camp knowing the team has been trying to trade him. “I have spoken to Ales…
Quick Hits: Wild, Fraser, Hemsky, Franson, Kearns and Grebeshkov
Charly Walters of the Pioneer Press: (s/t Adrian Dater) Walters notes that a "little birdie" says that the Wild lost $30 million last season. Zach Parise and Ryan Suter had bonuses totaling $20 million. Darren Dreger: For Mark Fraser's arbitration…
Morning Hits: Franson, Gunnarsson, Tootoo, Hemsky and Armstrong
Steve Simmons: Cody Franson trade rumors don't make sense to Simmons unless the Maple Leafs started them in hopes of driving down his price. Paul Ranger was on an AHL deal last season and free to sign with anyone, at…
Free Agent Hits: Whitney, Cowen, Thomas, Ranger, Brule, Weise and Winchester
Jim Matheson: The Hurricanes and Islanders seem like a possible fit for Ryan Whitney. He may have to take a one-year deal. Gord Holder of the Ottawa Citizen: Negotiations between the Senators and defenseman Jared Cowen will pick up soon. “It’s…
Morning Hits: RNH, Blues Goaltending, Gretzky, Lindholm and a Detroit Arena
Jim Matheson: If Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is not able to play until November 1st after his shoulder surgery, he'll miss a total of 14 games. Jason Gregor: Blues coach Ken Hitchcock: "Our plan is to have Halak as starter, Elliott as the…
Quick Hits: Hemsky, Practice Insurance for Canada and Selanne Still Deciding
Jim Matheson: Matheson thinks that Ales Hemsky will end up in Nashville. He's played well against the Coyotes. Jim Matheson: If all 47 players invited to Canada's orientation camp played for their insurance to skate, it would cost them $21,276…
Sam Gagner and the Oilers Avoid Salary Arbitration
Bob McKenzie: The Oilers and Sam Gagner reach a three-year contract extension with a salary cap hit of $4.8 million. ($14.4 million total) Ryan Rishaug: Gagner's deal has a no-trade and no-movement clause. Bob Stauffer: Salary breakdown: $4.4 million, $5…
Morning Hits: Gagner, Grabovski, Hainsey, Jagr, Little, Wheeler, Bogosian and Spaling
Dan Tencer: The Oilers and Sam Gagner are listed as having an "AM" arbitration hearing today. May not be a good sign (for Oilers fans) if we don't hearing anything by mid-morning in Alberta time. Tencer thinks arbitration is likely.…
Morning Hits: Gagner, Jets RFAs, Chiarelli, Thomas, Couturier, Redmond and Sharks travel
Elliotte Friedman: Sam Gagner has asked for a one-year $5.5 million deal in arbitration. The Oilers have asked for $3.5 million. Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press: The Jets have arbitration dates set with Zach Bogosian, Bryan Little and…
Free Agent Hits II: Pietrangelo, Stewart, Brunner, Grabovski, Grebeshkov, Cuma, Zuccarello and Stepan
Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Alex Pietrangelo has told his representative to solely focus on a deal with the Blues and not an offer sheet from another team. Both sides are working on a deal, but are in the early…
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…
21 Players File for Arbitration
NHLPA: 21 players have filed for salary arbitration. Deadline is today at 5:00 pm ET. Player Team Brendan Smith Detroit Red Wings Sam Gagner Edmonton Oilers Trevor Lewis Los Angeles Kings Alec Martinez Los Angeles Kings Jake Muzzin Los Angeles…