Eastern Conference News: Blue Jackets, Panthers, Devils, Islanders, Sens, Flyers, Penguins and Lightning
Nikita Kucherov left last night's game early
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …

George Richards: The Blue Jackets reassign Nathan Gerbe to the AHL.

On the Florida Panthers …

Jameson Olive: Denis Malgin will be out for a “couple weeks” with a lower-body injury.

Jameson Olive: Coach Bob Boughner on Denis Malgin: “It is a big loss… you see the play he made on the 1st goal the other day. That’s the kind of stuff he can do. He creates offense.”

On the New Jersey Devils …

Mike Morreale: Coach John Hynes said that Cory Schneider won’t travel with the team to Pittsburgh. Schneider will meet up with the team on Thursday in Florida.

Andrew Gross: When he’s ready, the Devils will have to activate Schneider off the IR. Goaltender Eddie Lack doesn’t need to clear waivers to be sent to AHL.

On the New York Islanders …

Cory Wright: Coach Doug Weight said that Nikolai Kulemin is at least three weeks away from returning to the lineup.

On the Ottawa Senators …

Chris Johnston: The Senators turned Dion Phaneuf, Nate Thompson, Derick Brassard and Ian Cole into 2018 1st, 2019 3rd, 2020 3rd, Prospect Filip Gustavsson, Prospect Nick Moutrey, Marian Gaborik, and Nick Shore

On the Philadelphia Flyers …

Cap Friendly: Johnny Oduya‘s performances bonuses for the Flyers after they claimed him off waivers.

– $250K bonus if he hits 65 games played
– $250k bonus if he finishes top 5 in TOI
– $250k bonus if he finishes top 3 in TOI
– $250k bonus if his club qualifies for the playoffs

On the Pittsburgh Penguins …

Jonathan Bombulie: Goaltender Matt Murray left practice early with an injury and is being further evaluated.

On the Tampa Bay Lightning …

Bryan Burns: Ryan McDonagh said that he’s five to seven days away from being able to join the Lightning’s lineup. He’s been out with an upper-body injury. He’s been skating for seven or eight days.

Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Nikita Kucherov left last night’s game in the first period with an upper-body injury. He is expected to be okay and could play on Wednesday.

Kucherov’s agent Dan Milstein said it’s not a concussion or a hand injury and nothing is broken.