Eastern Conference NHL News: Bruins, Red Wings, Leafs, Rangers, Senators and Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin
On the Boston Bruins …

Joe Haggerty: Forward Teddy Purcell will attend the Bruins training camp on a PTO.

On the Detroit Red Wings …

Helene St. James: Red Wings GM Ken Holland said that defenseman Ryan Sproul didn’t pass his physical. He had offseason knee surgery.

Ansar Khan: Coach Jeff Blashill said that Sproul will be skating at camp, but likely won’t be going full out.

Ansar Khan: Blashill said that aside from Sproul, every other Red Wings player is ready to go, including Tomas Tatar (shoulder) and Luke Glendening (ankle).

On the Toronto Maple Leafs …

Chris Johnston: Both Nathan Horton and Joffrey Lupul failed their physicals.

On the New York Rangers …

Dan Rosen: Coach Alain Vigneault said that forward Pavel Buchnevich doesn’t have any back issues.

Steve Zipay: Jesper Fast is still recovering from hip surgery, and his target return remains late October.

Dan Rosen: Vigneault said that J.T. Miller would start training camp at center to better learn the position in case he’s needed.

Steve Zipay: Vigneault: “I like Marc Staal, I believe in Marc Staal, but at the end of the day he’s fighting for a spot, and he knows it.”

On the Ottawa Senators …

Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators forward Clarke MacArthur failed his training camp medical yesterday.

MacArthur has missed most of the past two seasons with a concussion. He did return at the end of the regular season last year and played in the playoffs.

“Right now, we don’t know much, but he won’t be part of camp,” said Senators general manager Pierre Dorion.

“He was disappointed, but at the same time, he looked in great shape (skating). He trained all summer.”

Dorion wouldn’t say what caused him to fail his medical.

On Alex Ovechkin and the 2018 Winter Olympics …

Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin released a statement regarding the NHL not allowing players to go the 2018 Winter Olympics. Part of his statement:

“I see the news this week and I am very disappointed that IOC, IIHF and NHL put me and all NHL players in this position when some of the best players in world do not have chance to play in the Olympic Games. This is not just about me but all the NHL players who want to play and have a chance to win Gold for their country. Our countries are now not allowed to ask us to play in the Olympics. Me, my teammates and all players who want to go all lose. So do all the fans of hockey with this decision that we are not allowed to be invited. NHL players in the Olympics is good for hockey and good for Olympics. It sucks that will we not be there to play!!”