Around the NHL – Wed 15 Oct

Posted by admin on 15th, 2008

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Breaking News:

Investigator: Hockey player had heart problems
Alexei Cherepanov had heart problems and probably should not have been allowed to play in a game in which he collapsed and died, a regional investigator suggested Tuesday.

Yulia Zhukova said Cherepanov, who died Monday playing for Avangard Omsk in a Continental Hockey League game outside of Moscow, apparently had chronic ischemia—a medical condition when not enough blood gets to the heart or other organs.

“Checks will be conducted to clarify, in particular, why the sportsman with such an illness went onto the ice,” Zhukova said. (Read the full article)

Injury Updates:

Jason Arnott: Fractured Finger
Arnott has a small fracture in one of the fingers on his right hand and will miss the next three games, the Nashville Tennessean reports. (Yahoo! Sports)
Pierre-Marc Bouchard: Scratched With Sore Back
Bouchard missed Tuesday’s win over Atlanta with a sore back and will return to Minnesota for an examination, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. (Yahoo! Sports)
Jochen Hecht: Out Two Weeks at Least
Hecht will miss at least two weeks after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair an injured finger, the Associated Press reports. (Yahoo! Sports)
Islanders D Martinek out 4-6 weeks
New York Islanders defenseman Radek Martinek will be out four to six weeks because of an undisclosed upper body injury sustained in Saturday’s 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues, according to a report by the Asbury Park Press on Tuesday. (Yahoo! Sports)
Jere Lehtinen: Nearing Return to the Ice
Lehtinen (groin) may participate in the team practice on Tuesday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. (Yahoo! Sports)
Jack Johnson: Out Until After All-Star Break
Johnson (shoulder) will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum and isn’t expected back until after the All-Star Game, the LA Times reports. (Yahoo! Sports)
Viktor Kozlov: Leg Injury
Kozlov is out for a “couple of weeks” with an undisclosed injury, though it appeared that he injured his left knee in Monday’s win over Vancouver, the Washington Post reports. (Yahoo! Sports)
Daniel Alfredsson: Could Return on Friday
Alfredsson (knee) could rejoin Ottawa’s lineup as soon as Friday, reports the Ottawa Citizen. (Yahoo! Sports)

League Updates:

Radulov says he wants to stay in Russia and help grow sport in his country
With the NHL and Russia’s new Continental Hockey League in a dispute over Alexander Radulov, the forward says he wants to stay home and help grow the sport of hockey in his own country.

“I returned to Russia not so that I could return again to the NHL but rather to offer all of my efforts and professionalism to the betterment of Russian hockey taking it to a new level,” according to a translation of the letter attributed to Radulov and provided by the KHL.

Radulov wrote the letter to KHL president Alexander Medvedev possibly to end some mixed signals on whether he wanted to return to the NHL. (read the full article)
Red Wings visit White House
Less than 24 hours after posting a road victory over Carolina, the Detroit Red Wings traveled north to visit the President.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings on Tuesday visited the White House and were honored by President George W. Bush in a ceremony for the second time.

Bush also paid tribute to Detroit following the club’s championship victory in 2002. (read the full article)

Signings, Transactions & Acquisitions:

Report: Lightning sign D Malik
In an effort to beef up their defense, the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday signed blue-liner Marek Malik to a one-year, $1.2 million contract, according to a report by TSN of Canada. (Yahoo! Sports)
Bruins recall D Hunwick, C Sobotka
The Boston Bruins dipped into their system for a pair of players Tuesday, recalling defenseman Matt Hunwick and center Vladimir Sobotka from Providence of the American Hockey League. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rangers agree to deal with D Dowzak
The New York Rangers on Tuesday agreed to terms with defenseman Tysen Dowzak on a contract. Terms were not disclosed. (Yahoo! Sports)
View more NHL and Minor League transactions at NHL.com

Trades & Rumours:

From spectorshockey.net (click to view the full report):

TIMES ONLINE.COM: Mark Madden reports the Pittsburgh Penguins lack quality wingers for Sidney Crosby’s line and suggests Penguins management should shop center Jordan Staal “sooner, not later”. Madden raises the possibility of Staal perhaps seeing if he’ll receive a lucrative, unmatchable offer sheet from a rival club where he can play as a center rather than a winger, and suggests currently there’s “zero indication” that Staal will re-sign prior to next summer with the Penguins.
VANCOUVER PROVINCE: Jason Botchford reports there’s been a lull in negotiations between Canucks GM Mike Gillis and the agent for the Sedin twins. They are seeking a “no-trade” clause in their new contracts but Botchford suggests they might be willing to give Gillis some wiggle room by seeking a “no-separation” clause, meaning if they’re to be traded they’d be dealt together to the same team. Botchford also reported the Canucks lost blueline speed when Kevin Bieksa went down to a recent injury, forcing them to dress slower defensemen Shane O’Brien and Rob Davison. “When the back end is completely healthy, it’s unlikely both will play in the same game with any degree of regularity” writes Botchford, adding, “So much for those who want Kevin Bieksa traded.”
TORONTO SUN: reports Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher denies internet rumors claiming he’s been talking with the Phoenix Coyotes about acquiring first round picks or that defenseman Ian White might be dealt to the Coyotes.
DENVER POST: Terry Frei reports Colorado Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj must step up his performance to sew up the starting goaltender role with the club. Frei writes the Avs have little choice but to ride out Budaj for a long as possible in part because of their public committment to him and the reality that backup Andrew Raycroft would have to flash back five years to retreive the form of his only elite NHL season. Frei raises the possibility of a trade and the name of Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin.

Game Results:

Minnesota vs Atlanta
Minnesota	4	Final
Atlanta	2

Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh
Philadelphia	2	Final OT
Pittsburgh	3

Colorado vs Calgary
Colorado	4	Final
Calgary	5

Anaheim vs Los Angeles
Anaheim	3	Final
Los Angeles	6

Columbus vs San Jose
Columbus	2	Final
San Jose	5