Morning Hits: Toews, Mitchell, Pokka, Miller Trade Recap, Poti and Tarasenko’s Rights Traded
Chris Kuc: Blackhawks Jonathan Toews was under the weather yesterday but is expected to be ready for Game 1. Dennis Bernstein: Kings coach Sutter on defenseman Willie Mitchell's status: "hasn't skated yet, we'll see ." Arthur Staple: The Islanders can't sign…
NHL Rumors I: Stafford, Ehrhoff, Ott, Peverley, Sharks, Nilsson, Wilson and Blues
John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Drew Stafford is expected to remain with the Sabres next year, at least for the start of the year. Stafford is entering the last year of his four-year, $16 million deal. They will likely…
NHL Rumors II: St. Louis Blues Edition: Lack of Scoring, Hitchcock, Allen and Miller
Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The Blues offense struggled in their series loss to the Blackhawks. GM Doug Armstrong on if they'll look at free agency or a trade to add scoring. “I look at last year’s free-agent…
Morning Hits: Habs-B’s, Rangers, Devils, Stars, Flyers, Lightning, Red Wings and Ducks
Louis Jean: The Canadiens and Bruins series will start on Thursday, with Game 2 on Saturday. Dejan Kovacevic: The Rangers are now 0-12 in playoff games since 2009 when they've had the series lead. Rich Chere: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello: "Realistically…
NHL Rumors II: Blue Jackets, Capitals, Islanders, Hurricanes, Leafs, Stalock and Gretzky
Craig Custance of ESPN: Some things that could happen with the Blue Jackets this offseason. 1. Lock up Ryan Johansen - Johansen is a RFA and they'll have to decide if they want to do a bridge deal or a…
NHL Rumors I: Vanek, Red Wings, Chara, Selanne, Miller, Blue and Oilers
Charley Walters of Twin Cities: Should look for Wild owner Craig Leipold to go after UFA Thomas Vanek this summer. He would replace Dany Heatley in offense and salary slot. Walters said not to be surprised if Brian Lawton ends…
Morning Hits: GMs, Backes Talk, Vellucci and Waivers
Tom Gulitti: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is the longest running GM. Jim Rutherford was second (June 28, 1994) and George McPhee was third (June 9, 1997). Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: "I'm sorry, but Backes is not a #1 on a Cup…
NHL Injuries: Backes, Getzlaf, Beleskey, Alfredsson, Murray, Tyutin and Bishop
Chris Kuc: Blues coach Ken Hitchcock: "We get (David) Backes back in the next two or three games, we're going to even go higher." Lou Korac of In The Slot: Backes and his upper-body injury didn't skate yesterday. "I mean, he's not…
NHL Injuries: Robidas, Morrow, Getzlaf, Kreider, Zetterberg and Gibbons
Mike Heika: Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said that Stephane Robidas probably won't require surgery for his fractured leg. Recovery will likely be quicker. Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Blues Brenden Morrow was trying to play through a fractured…
NHL Injuries: Bishop, Stamkos, Backes, Wilson, Downie, Alfredsson and Fayne
Darren Dreger: Lightning's Ben Bishop said he had a dislocated elbow and was hoping to get into Game 5 or 6. Darren Dreger: Lightning Steven Stamkos said his leg was still hindering him. He didn't have the confidence to take…
NHL Rumors: Predators, Canucks, Hurricanes, Oilers and the Maple Leafs
Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Ranking potential Predators coaching candidates: 1. Peter Laviolette 2. Phil Housley 3. Terry Murray 4. Dean Evason 5. John Stevens 6. Willie Desjardins 7. Dan Bylsma Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province: To get more…
NHL Injuries: Robidas, Barrie, Stamkos, Bishop, Backes and Duchene
Lance Pugmire: Ducks Stephane Robidas broke the bone just above his previous leg fracture that kept him out from November to March. Adrian Dater: Avalanche's Tyson Barrie will be out for four to six weeks with an MCL injury suffered…