NHL News: Ducks, Sabres, Avs, Wild, Islanders, Sharks and Playoff Races
San Jose Sharks Evander Kane should be ready for the playoffs.
On the Anaheim Ducks …

Eric Stephens: Coach Randy Carlyle announced the expected news that Patrick Eaves, out with Guillain-Barre syndrome, won’t be returning this season. Carlyle added that anything more on Eaves playing future would likely be at training camp next year.

Eric Stevens: Coach Carlyle didn’t have much of an update on goaltender John Gibson. He will skate again today and didn’t say if he’d play this weekend.

On the Buffalo Sabres …

Matthew Bove: Goaltender Robin Lehner isn’t traveling with the team to Florida. It’s possible that he’s played his last game with the Sabres.

On the Colorado Avalanche …

Mike Chambers: The Avalanche have signed NCAA free agent forward Josh Dickinson to a three-year entry-level deal.

On the Minnesota Wild …

Sarah McLellan: Defenseman Ryan Suter had his surgery yesterday. Coach Bruce Boudreau isn’t sure if Suter will be physically able to be at the arena while he is recovering. Boudreau added: “If he can be around the team, I think the team would love to see him. He’s very well-liked.”

On the New York Islanders …

Andrew Gross: Coach Doug Weight said that defenseman Johnny Boychuk‘s season is over. It hasn’t been decided yet if he needs surgery or if just rest will do.

On the San Jose Sharks …

Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News: Forward Evander Kane missed last night’s game but the Sharks are saying that he will be ready when the playoffs start, and Kane agreed.

“As long as I’ve got two arms and two legs, I’ll be playing no matter what,” Kane said Thursday morning. “Just trying to feel as good as possible for next week.”

Kane originally was injured last Saturday. His status for Saturday’s game is not known yet.

“Hopefully, the next couple days go well and I’d love to get a game in before,” Kane said. “But again, the number one priority is feeling as good as I possibly can for next week and that will determine Saturday, see how I’m feeling and just kind of take it day by day.”

Joe Thornton (knee), Eric Fehr (lower body), Barclay Goodrow (broken finger) were all on the ice yesterday morning.