Eastern Conference News: Bruins, Sabres, Red Wings, Panthers, Canadiens, Islanders, Senators, and Maple Leafs
Radim Vrbata to retire from the NHL.
On the Boston Bruins …

Joe Haggerty: Both Rick Nash and Sean Kuraly didn’t play last night but coach Bruce Cassidy thinks they should be ready for Game 1. Riley Nash is expected to start skating this week.

On the Buffalo Sabres …

Bill Hoppe: The Sabres assigned the following to the AHL. Forwards Nick Baptiste, Alexander Nylander and Kevin Porter; Defensemen Brendan Guhle, Casey Nelson and Matt Tennyson; Goaltenders Linus Ullmark and Adam Wilcox.

On the Detroit Red Wings …

Ansar Khan: Goaltender Jared Coreau cleared waivers and has been assigned to the AHL.

On the Florida Panthers …

Matthew DeFrank of the Sun-Sentinel: The 36-year old Radim Vrbata is retiring from the NHL after 1,057 games.

“It’s emotional but this is something I was preparing myself for for basically the whole year,” Vrbata said after Florida’s 4-3 win over Buffalo. “This would be my last year. As I said to the guys, I wish I was 10 years younger and I could keep going with this group because this is a great bunch of guys and there is lots of promise in this team. I’m looking forward to cheering them on the next couple seasons.”B

On the Montreal Canadiens …

Eric Engels: The Canadiens assigned the following to the AHL: Brett Lernout, Mike McCarron and Kerby Rychel.

On the New York Islanders …

Brian Compton: Defenseman Johnny Boychuk will have surgery today to repair a nagging issue that has been bothering him all season.

Arthur Staple: Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky will speak today, along with GM Garth Snow and coach Doug Weight.

On the Ottawa Senators …

Murray Pam: The Senators have assigned Andreas Englund and Danny Taylor to the AHL. The Belleville Senators released Boston Leier from his ATO but there is a good chance they bring him back next season.

On the Toronto Maple Leafs …

Chris Johnston: The Leafs will have a bonus overage of $2.55 million next year. They have about $21 million coming off the books and the cap is going up. They have one-year “before the big crunch arrives.”