Staal to skate with AHL team … Lombardi could play this weekend … Notes on Komisarek, Rundblad, Brunnstrom, Jackman, Foster and Stalberg
  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Rangers defenseman Marc Staal will skate with Rangers AHL team in Connecticut today. Staal has been suffering from intermittent headaches this summer, stemming from a Jan. 22nd concussion after taking a hit from his brother. It’s still not known if he’ll be able to join the Rangers in Europe for their season opener, or in their 2nd game.
  • Lance Hornby and Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: It’s looking like Matthew Lombardi will get into an exhibition game this weekend.

    “If I’m feeling 100% and confident, there’s a good chance I could play,” Lombardi said of facing the Detroit Red Wings in the coming home-and-home pre-season games. “But if we’re not sure and maybe things aren’t going as well, then we’ll make a decision. I don’t think it’s a negative either way. The progress has been great (far ahead of off-season projections). Whether I get in this week or on the next little while (Toronto opens the regular season on Oct. 6), it’s great.”

  • Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Leafs defenseman Mike Komisarek is in better shape this year, and may have cemented his spot in the top 6. Koshan mentions there has been speculation from the outside that Komisarek and his $4.5 million salary could be sent to the Marlies. (Problem is it sounds like he has a no-movement and limited trade clause, so he would probably have to agree to be sent down, which he wouldn’t do.)
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: David Rundblad is close to making the Senators, but if he doesn’t, he has made noise about heading back to Sweden for the season. Defenseman Erik Karlsson can relate and had this to say:

    “It’s up to (Rundblad) and management to see how close he is to making the team and if it’s worth it for him to go down there or to go back to Sweden and come back next year. If you want to make the team, you’ve got to stay here.”

    “If you go home, you’ve got to wait until next year to make the team and even then you may have to go down (to the AHL) anyways,” said Karlsson. “It’s just a personal thing — what’s best for you and what you think is best for you.”

  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings GM Ken Holland on Fabian Brunnstrom:

    “Right now, he looks like he’s playing his way into a contract. We’ll determine if he’s played his way onto the roster. There’s no rush to do anything now, so we’ll address the situation on Monday. But he has stated a pretty darn good case for a contract and for the roster, especially considering the injury to Jan Mursak.”