Around the NHL - Thursday 2 Oct

Posted by admin on 4th, 2008

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Injury Updates:

Red Wings’ Chelios out 3 - 6 weeks
DETROIT (AP)—Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios will be sidelined three to six weeks with a fractured shin bone. The 46-year-old Chelios is the NHL’s oldest player. He is entering his 25th NHL season and his 10th with Detroit. The team says Chelios was injured while blocking a shot during the third period of Tuesday night’s 2-1 preseason loss to Montreal. (sports.yahoo.com)
Predators’ Legwand should play friday
Legwand (knee), who missed practice again Wednesday as he recovers from a sore knee, won’t play Thursday against the Hurricanes but is likely to play Friday at Atlanta, the Nashville Tennessean reports. (sports.yahoo.com)
Islanders’ DiPietro continues to progress
DiPietro (hip/knee) will take part in the pregame skate Friday morning, the New York Newsday reports. (sports.yahoo.com)

Player Updates:

Khabibulin eyes return to Russia
TORONTO (TICKER) —Three days after being placed on waivers by the Chicago Blackhawks, Nikolai Khabibulin reportedly is considering a return to Russia. TSN of Canada reported on Thursday that Khabibulin’s agent, Jay Grossman, told the web site the veteran goaltender is taking a closer look at the Kontinental Hockey League. “Nik has several options, both here and over there,” Grossman told TSN. “However, nothing has been finalized and by no means is anything imminent.” (sports.yahoo.com)

League Updates:

NHL to continue expansion to Europe
PRAGUE, Czech Republic - The NHL is giving two more countries a first look at regular-season games this weekend, and it’s a sight Europeans should be getting used to. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday that the season-opening doubleheaders in the Czech and Swedish capitals Saturday and Sunday “are hopefully ushering an era of a more permanent presence for the league (in Europe).” (sports.yahoo.com)

Signings & Acquisitions:

Joh Bailey signs with Islanders
UNIONDALE, N.Y. - The New York Islanders signed first-round draft pick Josh Bailey to a three-year, entry-level contract Thursday. Bailey, chosen with the ninth overall pick this year, has been attending training camp with the Islanders but has played in only one of New York’s four pre-season games due to an undisclosed injury. He turned 19 on Thursday and celebrated by signing his first NHL contract. (sports.yahoo.com)
Bruins demote 3, waive another
BOSTON (TICKER) —The Boston Bruins on Thursday assigned goaltender Tuukka Rask and defensemen Matt Lashoff and Jeff Penner to Providence of the American Hockey League. The team also placed center Martin St. Pierre on waivers. (sports.yahoo.com)
View more NHL and Minor League transactions at NHL.com

Trades & Rumours:

From Spectorshockey.net:

Allen Panzeri reports Senators GM Bryan Murray is set to meet with the agent for team captain Daniel Alfredsson on Saturday to discuss a contract extension.
Stephen Harris reports Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli denied a report in yesterday’s Herald that top center Marc Savard might be traded. “We’re not looking to trade Marc Savard,” said Chiarelli, who didn’t rule out other deals. “There’s a chance. I’m looking to improve the team. I’ve had a couple of discussions, more than a couple.”
Joe Haggerty (under the “This Just In” segment) recently reported Chiarelli said there was a “better than fifty percent chance” that he could make a trade prior to the start of the NHL season on October 9th.
The Chicago Blackhawks are prepared to loan goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to a Russian team in order to remove his $6.75 million salary from their payroll. Negotiations are believed ongoing but it has yet to be determined which KHL team he could be loaned to, although it’s believed HC Dinamo Minsk of Belaruscould have the inside track as Khabibulin is believed to have family there.
Craig Custance reports Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk denied speculation he was growing unhappy with the club and might try to seek a trade prior to the end of his contract in two years time. Kovalchuk maintains he wants to try to turn the Thrashers into a winner over that time.

Game Results: