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…
Injury Notes: Parros, Letang, Vokoun, Semin, Nash, Callahan and Rupp
Pierre LeBrun: The Canadiens said that George Parros suffered a concussion. He was alert, conscious and undergoing more tests. Josh Yohe: Kris Letang could return Tuesday, October the 8th. Dave Molinari: Penguins coach Dan Bylsma doesn't think Letang's injury will be…
Morning Hits: Kessel, Phaneuf, Avalanche, Bryzgalov, Da Costa, Hybrid icing, Dvorak and Drouin-Deslauriers
Greg Brady: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis was scheduled to be on the Fan 590 at 9:00 am, but has been postponed until after 12:00 pm. Darren Dreger: Not complete yet, but Phil Kessel-Toronto Maple Leafs deal is expected to…
Roster Notes: Hurricanes, Flyers, Canucks, Penguins, Ducks, Sharks and Jets
Bob McKenzie: The Hurricanes sent Ryan Murphy to the AHL, but he'll likely be in the Hurricanes opening day lineup. Roster manipulation. David Strehle: The Flyers are likely to do the same with Brayden Schenn and/or Sean Couturier until they can…
Maple Leafs and Kessel close on a new deal … VIDEO: Kessel, Sedin’s and Bryzgalov
Bob McKenzie: The Maple Leafs and Phil Kessel deal could get done as early as today. Both sides working towards that. Darren Dreger: Neither the Maple Leafs nor Kessel agents are commenting on the speculation. Sense is that there could…
Afternoon Hits: Bryzgalov, Liles, All-Star Games, Zibanejad, Nyquist, Stanton, Rielly and Senators
Josh Yohe: Reliable source made it clear that the Penguins are not interested in Ilya Bryzgalov. James Mirtle: The Maple Leafs mistakenly thought that they would have been able to trade John-Michael Liles. Could be bought out next summer. David…
Pittsburgh Penguins 2013-14 Season Primer
Team Outlook from McKeen's Hockey Guide: Penguins GM Ray Shero was aggressive on the trade front in 2013, acquiring Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, and Doug Murray to compliment an already loaded roster. Even still, the Penguins were swept by the Boston…
Injury Notes: Letang, Spezza, Crawford, Weiss and Elias
Shelly Anderson: Penguins Kris Letang is believed to have a lower leg injury and will be evaluated back in Pittsburgh. He won't skate this weekend. James Gordon: Senators Jason Spezza has a "minor groin injury." Mark Lazerus: Blackhawks "goalie Corey…
Morning Hits: Flyers, Sedin’s, Vokoun, Rinaldo, Theodore, Senators and Kuznetsov
Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: There have been rumors that the Flyers are looking to move a defenseman. They've been impressed with the play of Hal Gill, and have currently nine defenseman in camp. Erik Gustafsson would have to…
Free Agent Hits: Franson signs, Thomas and Theodore
Darren Dreger: Maple Leafs and Cody Franson agree on a one-year, $2 million deal. The Leafs wanted a two-year to avoid arbitration next year, but told Franson's camp that they would got to one-year at $2 million or less. Darren…
Line Combos: Senators, Canadiens, Penguins, Sabres, Hurricanes and Blackhawks
Brent Wallace: Senators lines: Michalek-DaCosta-Ryan; MacArthur-Turris-Conacher; Greening-Zibanejad-Condra; Kassian-Pageau-Neil. Marc Antoine Godin: Canadiens lines: Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher, Moen-Bournival-White, Blunden-Dumont-Tarnasky, Holland-St-Pierre-Thomas. Pittsburgh Penguins: Penguins lines: Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis, Jokinen-Malkin-Neal, Bennett-Sutter-Kobasew, Glass-Jeffrey-Adams. Mike Harrington: Sabres lines: Stafford w/Vanek & Hodgson, Ott-Ennis-Leino, Armia-Grigo-Girg, Kaleta-Larsson-Scott. Michael Smith: Hurricanes lines: Tlusty-E. Staal-Terry, Gerbe-J. Staal-Dwyer,…
Lines, Pairings and Goalies: Sharks, Sens, Leafs, Canes, Isles, Pens, Canadiens and Lightning
David Pollak: Sharks lines: Hertl-Thornton-Burns, Marleau-Couture-Kennedy, Wingels-Pavelski-Nieto, Hamilton-Desjardins-Sheppard. Defensemen and goalies: Demers, Boyle, Hannan, Vlasic, Irwin, Tennyson G: Niemi, Stalock. Bruce Garrioch: Senators lines: Dizzy-Smith-Neil, MacArthur-Turris-Stone, Greening-Da Costa-Petterson, Cowick-O'Brien-Robinson. Defensive pairings: Cowen-Wiercioch, Borowiecki-Ceci and Sdao-Corvo. Mark Masters: Maple Leafs lines: JVR-Bozak-Clarkson; Lupul-Kadri-Kulemin; Ashton-Colborne-Bodie; Broll-McClement-Devane; Raymond-Smith-Kessel; Leivo-Orr. Michael Smith:…