- Pavel Lysenkov via twitter: Alexander Galimov, the lone player survivor from Lokomotiv, passed away in hospital last night.
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Drew Doughty didn’t attend the teams Hockey Fest yesterday. GM Dean Lombardi will meet with Tim Leiwede who will then talk to owner Philip Anschutz on how far they will go to sign Doughty. Training camp opens on Saturday. “I still have hope he’ll be here Friday. I don’t know if I expect it but I have hope,” Lombardi said after fielding questions from a crowd of about 3,000. “It’s better than no hope.” Lombardi said that he spoke with Don Meehan 3 times last week.
“You can figure out the problem. It’s how much and length,” he said. “That’s the two issues. … There’s a couple of variables.”
The sides haven’t discussed a no-trade or no-movement clause. Lombardi may try to speak with Doughty directly to convey his winning commitment and that he wants Doughty to be paid fairly. The 9 year deal worth $61.2 million that was rejected was proposed early in negotiations.
Colin Fraser had is protective boot removed 10 days ago and might begin skating this week. He won’t be ready for camp. Fraser added, “I’m going to need a few skates to learn how to play hockey again. It’s been six months since I’ve even looked at my skates.” As for the grievance, it should be settled in the next few weeks.
- Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider: The rejection of the 9 year, $61.2 million deal by Doughty took place 2 months ago and not recently.
“I intend to talk to ownership today and update Tim (Leiweke),” Lombardi said. “Anything we do, I have to have their approval or have them be on board. It’s fair to say that in the next 24 hours I’ll be talking to Tim and he will be talking to Mr. Anschutz. There has to be some finality in our approach.”
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said there will only be 2 or 3 spots open this year. He has James Neal pencilled in along side Sidney Crosby (when healthy) and Chris Kunitz. Evgeni Malkin will center Steve Sullivan and Tyler Kennedy. Their top power play unit will feature 4 forwards and 1 defenseman. Sullivan could be used on the point on the first unit. Jordan Staal will likely center Matt Cooke and Pascal Dupuis on the 3rd line, Dupuis and Kennedy could be interchanged on the 2nd and 3rd lines. Aaron Asham and Craig Adams are likely wingers on the 4th line. That leaves Mark Letestu, Dustin Jeffrey, Richard Park, Joe Vitale and Jason Williams battling for the a center spot. Eric Tangradi, Steve MacIntyre and Nick Johnson will also be vying for a roster spot.
- George Richards of the Miami Herald: The Panthers say they are done with rushing prospects to the NHL, but Jonathan Huberdeau is still hoping to make the team. If Huberdeau signs an entry level contract, he could make the team and play for 9 games before they decide if he’s ready to for the NHL or to send him back to junior.
“He’s a special player, can play any forward position,’’ Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said. “He is unselfish and makes other players better. He’s responsible defensively and competes each shift. He never takes one off. And he’s a wonderful kid. We’re in this for the long haul.’’
