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Leafs shopping Beauchemin and Komisarek … Habs want to get bigger up front … Sens interested in Bieksa? Plus more injuries and rumors
Mark Easson
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Ray Emery is working hard on his rehab from hip surgery and is hope to be back this season. In the next couple weeks he’ll likely begin skating with a OHL, then work his way up to the AHL on a 25 game pro tryout before a team is likely to take a chance on him. The Dallas Stars lenders are unlikely to grant the team the money to re-sign Brad Richards. With the Rangers being the top team to have interest in Richards since the Leafs are falling out of playoff contention. The Atlanta Thrashers will start working on a long term contract for their captain, Andrew Ladd. The Phoenix Coyotes still haven’t talked to Ilya Bryzgalov about a contact extension. Matthew Hulsizer will meet with the Board of Governors tomorrow regarding his potential purchase of the Coyotes. Francois Beauchemin ($3.8-million cap hit) and Mike Komisarek ($4.5-million cap hit) have been mentioned around the league, but their contracts makes them extremely difficult to move. The Montreal Canadiens would like to get bigger up front, and move Scott Gomez but his $7.34 cap hit makes it almost impossible (I still can’t believe Glen Sather was able to move him). Could the Habs be interested in Alex Kovalev? The Buffalo Sabres are trying to move captain Craig Rivet ($3.5 million) who’s been a healthy scratch 6 times this year.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch thinks that Kevin Bieksa would be a good fit with the Ottawa Senators, who have liked him for awhile. Garrioch thinks the St. Louis Blues should be interested in Brian Lee, he could be a reclamation project like Carlo Colaiacovo.
Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Evgeni Malkin missed another game because of his sore knee. He’s been wearing a brace for a month, and he isn’t letting on how much it bothers him.
Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean: Pekka Rinne had his knee scoped and he’ll be out 2-4 weeks. “Obviously it’s a big loss. Peks is not only our No. 1 goaltender, but he’s been playing terrific. Unfortunately, when they did the MRI and found out what they found out, they went in and scoped him. It’s unfortunate because he’s playing so well and we were sort of getting healthy. It would be nice to have some health, and then he goes down.” The Preds will roll with Anders Lindback.
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Chris Drury is likely a week to 10 days away from returning to the NY Rangers lineup. Drury can make passes but isn’t shooting yet. Vinny Prospal has begun skating without equipment, no ETA on his return yet.
Curtis Zupke of the OC Register: Joffery Lupul returns to Anaheim but as of yesterday afternoon he hadn’t been given clearance to return just yet. He’s expected to meet with them this weekend, and could be in the lineup this afternoon.