Quick Hits: Blues and Bruins Injuries, Oilers Assistant Coach Options, Waivers and Signing
Brad Marchand jammed his hand during a scrimmage but is okay.
© Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports

Quick Blues and Bruins injury notes

Lou Korac: St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube said the defenseman Vince Dunn had an off-ice workout yesterday. Forward Robert Thomas skated on his own.

Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports: Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand left for part of their scrimmage after jamming his hand in a collision with Connor Clifton.

“Injury risk was our biggest concern. It will be Saturday when we practice at our normal time, and Sunday obviously. You keep your fingers crossed, but fine,” said Cassidy. “He just bumped into Clifton in front of the net and jammed his – I don’t know what he jammed – his hand or something. So kept playing, and he was fine. There was no issue there.”

Assistant coach options for the Oilers

Jim Matheson: If/when Dave Tippett is officially hired by the Edmonton Oilers, an assistant coach option could be Ray Whitney.

Whitney isn’t that far out of the game and played under Tippett in Arizona. He could relate to the players and could run the power play.

Jim Matheson: Believe that when Whitney retired he was asked to be on the Coyotes coaching staff in Arizona.

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour may have also asked Whitney.

Sam Carchidi: Former Philadelphia Flyers coach Dave Hakstol could be a candidate for an assistant coach under Tippett.

Unconditional waivers

Renaud Lavoie: Players put on unconditional waivers yesterday were Jonne Tammela (Lightning) and Filip Pyrochta (Predators).

Player signings

AJ Haefele: The Colorado Avalanche have signed goaltender Pavel Francouz to a one-year, one-way contract for $950,000.

Montreal Canadiens: The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Alex Belzile to a one-year, two-way contract.

Renaud Lavoie: Belzile will get $700,000 in the NHL and $170,000 in the AHL.