- TSN: The Red Wings organization has been fined in the neighborhood of $250,000 for comments made by senior VP Jim Devellano in an interview with Island Sports News.
“It’s very complicated and way too much for the average Joe to understand, but having said that, I will tell you this,” said Devellano. “The owners can basically be viewed as the Ranch, and the players, and me included, are the cattle. The owners own the Ranch and allow the players to eat there. That’s the way its always been and that the way it will be forever. And the owners simply aren’t going to let a union push them around. It’s not going to happen.”
“Yes, they are billionaires,” Devellano said. “Good on them, they deserve it, but they also make their employees millionaires. Not a bad tradeoff for a guy like (Milan) Lucic getting what, $6 million a year? I mean good on him too, but he should be grateful. Understand, though, that these players want for nothing … it’s first class this, first class that, meal allowances, travel money on the road, the whole shebang.”
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: Roberto Luongo may have come to the realization that getting to traded back to Florida is “hanging on by a thread, if at all.” The Maple Leafs have already made a solid offer for Luongo, and when Canucks GM Mike Gillis was asked about the deal, he said “there were several assets the Buds have which can get it done.” Before the CBA expired, there were reports that a mystery team or 2 may have entered the Luongo sweepstakes. The Oilers were mentioned as one team that could be interested. Nikolai Khabibulin may retire if the season is wiped out. Devan Dubnyk has improved, but is not a sure thing as a #1.
- Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Coyotes Oliver Ekman-Larsson is expected to head to their AHL training camp this Friday. Keith Yandle is skating in Boston, and plans to stay there for the time being. Yandle on playing overseas, “I’m not sure,” he said. “I haven’t really even thought about that too much, to be honest. Right now I’m preparing as if the season will start.” What other Coyotes are thinking. David Moss will be staying Phoenix for the time being. Antoine Vermette will stay for a bit, but may join the traveling league in Quebec that some NHLers are trying to put together. David Schlemko isn’t sure about Europe and will wait until mid-late October to decide on anything. Raffi Torres is undecided. Derek Morris is unsure. Zbynek Michalek is considering Europe. Martin Hanzal has a couple options with Czech and other European teams. Mike Smith and his pregnant wife don’t have a problem with going to Europe. Boyd Gordon would consider playing in Europe. Paul Bissonnette will stay. Steve Sullivan doesn’t want to leave his family. Shane Doan isn’t sold on leaving.
- The Fourth Period: Steven Stamkos’ agent, Mark Guy, confirmed that Stamkos “has been contacted by many teams,” but is not close to making a decision. HC Lugano of the Swiss National League A League is one of the teams that is reportedly interested in Stamkos.
- George Richards of the Miami Herald: Panthers Dmitry Kulikov may be close to signing with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: There have been no goalies to head overseas, and it may be hard for them to find work. Henrik Lundqvist should be joining Frolunda. Senators Craig Anderson will have to be patient.
“It’s not just a matter of finding a job … it’s a matter of finding a job and making sure that the player is protected now and in the future,” Anderson’s agent, Justin Duberman, said from his Chicago office Saturday.
“There is a lot of risk in going over. There’s a lot of great things about going over as well from a hockey standpoint, but you have to make sure you protect yourself from an insurance standpoint to make sure it’s a great opportunity.”
- Adrian Dater via Sulia: Players may not be in a rush to make a deal as their escrow checks are coming, 8% of their base salary from last year. Average checks will be about $163,000.
- Slava Malamud via twitter: “There is no way, kids, that Crosby is coming to the KHL. Not with teams like Vityaz roaming around, specializing on injuring opposing stars.”… “The KHL can and will protect Russian NHLers against goons, but Crosby? If anything, Sid-hunting will be encouraged. No reason for him to go.” … “Guys like Shea Weber (big, scary D-man) and Patrick Kane (you know, vodka) would be welcome and do well in KHL. But finesse stars, stay away.”