- Terry Frei of the Denver Post: The Avalanche will be with Tomas Fleischmann for the remainder of the year, as he was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. He has a blood clot in each of his lungs and will be on blood thinners “for several months.”
- George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings and Evgeni Nabokov have agreed on a one year, pro-rated $570,000 contract, $250,000 for the rest of the year. He’ll have to clear waivers now, and we’ll know by noon tomorrow if someone claims him. Backup Chris Osgood is expected to be out 6-8 weeks after sports hernia surgery. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch thinks the Senators should make a claim on Nabokov. Bob McKenzie via twitter: McKenzie thinks there is something in the deal that would “discourage” teams from claiming Nabokov. Spector Hockey via twitter: Would be surprised if he goes unclaimed, deal has a no-movement clause. Rich Chere via twitter: The Devils could claim Nabokov (first waiver priority), put him on waivers, the Red Wings could claim him and complete their transaction. Capgeek via twitter: “Any team with unsuccessful first claim on Nabokov would have priority if acquiring team turned around and placed him on waivers again.” If Nabokov has an NMC and was waived a second time, he could potentially block waiver process but not choose a claiming team.” “If ONLY ONE team submits a claim for Nabokov, acquires him, and waives him again, Detroit would then have priority.” Elliott Friedman via twitter: “@capgeek However, section 13.20 (b) also says team in your case number one would have to accept same deal as Detroit offers. Interesting.” “So, possibility exists Detroit could offer more (a higher draft pick, maybe?) than other teams willing to pay. We’ll see how it plays out.”
- Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks GM Mike Gillis told a Toronto radio station that Sami Salo may not return this year, which is nothing new as he’s said that along. “Nothing has changed,” Gillis added after yesterday’s practice “We’re unsure about whether he’ll play, but he’s making progress. That’s completely consistent with everything we’ve said. This is a devastating injury. It can be a career-ending injury. Sami’s at the point where he’s not 24 or 25, so this is going to take time.”
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Patrick Kaleta, who just returned on Tuesday from his broken (still wearing a cast), blocked a shot with at that hand. Results came back negative and he’s not expected to be out too long.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Chris Phillips hasn’t had any recent discussions with the Senators. “I’d like to be part of the solution here,” said Phillips. “We’ll find out if I’m part of the plans.” Garrioch thinks he’ll be traded.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch wonders if Senators coach Cory Clouston will be fired after last night’s ‘gong show’ 6-2 loss to the Flyers. Craig Hartsburg was fired 2 years ago with the same 17-24-7 record.
- David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Antero Niittymaki has been placed on the IR with a lower-body injury. The Sharks had to sign Jordan White of UBC to a one game amateur tryout contract yesterday.
- The Globe and Mail Podcast: “Globe hockey writers Eric Duhatschek, David Shoalts and James Mirtle join host Darren Yourk to talk about changing attitudes in the head-shot debate as Sidney Crosby remains sidelined, woeful losses for the Leafs and Flames and Evgeni Nabokov exploring a deal with the Detroit Red Wings.”
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Marco Sturm has been placed on the IR by the LA Kigns with tendinitis is his left knee, not the knee that he had surgery on last year. Wings Scott Parse skated yesterday for the first time since having hip surgery in November, his return had been set for 3-4 months.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Dreger wonders why the Maple Leafs don’t go with a lower salary and different structure? A longshot but it’s possible.
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Leafs goalie JS Giguere once again said he’d consider waiving his no-trade clause.
“I haven’t waived my no trade, I haven’t talked to Burke at all about it, but I’ve said, if Burke was to come see me, I would owe him the respect to think about it and talk to my family about it,” said Giguere.
“When and if this happens, we’ll see what happens.”
Giguere carries a $7 million salary and $6 million cap hit this year. Giguere likes it in Toronto, and they may consider keeping him around to mentor the younger goalies,
“I see it (a role for myself in Toronto), but I don’t know what management wants,” said Giguere. “Maybe they want to go with the young guys. Maybe they want to have an older guy with a young guy. “