The Ottawa Senators are keeping Cory Clouston as their head coach, removing his interim tag Wednesday and signing him to a two-year deal.
The 39-year-old Clouston took over the Senators on Feb. 2, when Craig Hartsburg was fired after the team got off to a 17-24-7 start. They’ve been 19-10-3 since then, but will still miss the postseason after 11 straight appearances.
Still, owner Eugene Melnyk and general manager Bryan Murray moved quickly to lock up the architect behind the turnaround.
“Cory’s come in and done a remarkable job,” Murray said during a news conference at Scotiabank Place, where the Senators play their final home game Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. “He’s made (the players) accountable.”
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)—Marian Gaborik didn’t bite. Given yet another opportunity to expound on his preferred career path beyond this season, Minnesota’s injury-burdened, goal-scoring superstar stayed mum on the subject.
Even with his potentially final home game as a member of the Wild approaching.
“Still playing here,” Gaborik said, laughing, “so obviously we’ll see what’s going to happen down the road. But we’re still in the season right now, so that’s where my head is, that’s where my heart is, and that’s where my focus is.”
CHICAGO (AP)—Rick Nash put Columbus in the playoffs for the first time, and Fedor Tyutin capped the Blue Jackets’ big night with the shootout winner.
After Nash scored a late goal to force overtime and give the Blue Jackets the final point they need to clinch a playoff spot, Tyutin scored the lone goal in the shootout in Columbus’ 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.
Columbus, which entered the NHL in 2000-01, was the only active team that hadn’t made the playoffs. Against Chicago, the Blue Jackets overcame 2-0 and 3-2 deficits.
Weathor major topic on eve of Winter Classic With only hours til the 2009 Winter Classic gets underway, the hot topic around the league is wether the weather will be good… or bad. Chris Johnston talks about this on Yahoo Sports.
Steve Mason continues shutout streak
Columbus Blue Jackets rookie netminder Steve Mason is making the NHL look easy. Mason backstopped the Blue Jackets to a 2-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks, his third consecutive shutout.
Injuries:
Patrice Bergeron (C – Boston) Placed on IR for concussion.
Rick DiPietro (G – NY Islanders) Re-injured groin.
Marian Gaborik (RW – Minnesota) Re-injured, day-to-day.
Simon Gagne (LW – Philadelphia) Shoulder Injury.
Transactions:
Vancouver Canucks acquired Netminder Jason Labarbara from the LA Kings for a 7th round draft pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Ryan Miller (G – Sabres). Miller gets the 2 Minutes Player of the Day after posting his 2nd shutout in as many games. Miller led the Sabres to a 2-0 win over the New Jersey Devils today, facing 24 shots on goal.
Stars of the day:
Chris Campoli (D – Islanders) 2G 0A 2Pts
Ryan Miller (G – Sabres)24 shots, 0GA 1.00% SV%
Andrew Ladd (LW – Blackhawks) 2G 1A 3Pts
Patrick Sharp (C – Blackhawks) 2G 1A 3Pts
Stars make more moves:
The Dallas Stars made more moves today to try and fix their woes. Stars co-GMs Brett Hull and Les Jackson signed former Minnesota Wild forward Mark Parrish to a 1-year deal worth $500k (NHL) or $100k (AHL). Parrish, who was bought out by the Wild could bring a scoring touch to a Stars team that has been struggling to find it’s identity.
Senators & Coyotes swap minor leaguers
The Ottawa Senators traded prospect Alexander Nikulin to the Phoenix Coyotes for defenseman Drew Fata on Monday. Nikulin, 23, told the Senators last week that he would return to his native Russia if a deal wasn’t completed. The 6-1, 203-pound center was a fourth-round pick – 122nd overall – by the Senators in the 2004 draft. Nikulin recorded two goals in five games with Binghamton of the American Hockey League this season. In 2007-08, Nikulin had 14 goals and 36 assists in 71 games with Binghamton.
oh, they’re hurt:
Owen Nolan (Wild): Placed on IR with a lower body injury
Marian Gaborik (Wild): Still not ready to return.
Jere Lehtinen (Stars): Questionable for Nov 7 Vs Anaheim
Sergei Zubov (Stars): IR, expected return Nov 7 Vs Anaheim
He shoots… the scores:
Buffalo Sabres 2 – 0 New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders 4 – 3 Columbus Blue Jackets (Overtime)
Wild reportedly shopping RW Gaborik Arguably the greatest player in franchise history, Marian Gaborik appears to be on his way to becoming a former member of the Minnesota Wild.
Gaborik, who can become an unrestricted free agent following the 2008-09 season, was offered by the Wild to an unnamed team in a trade proposal last weekend, according to a report by the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Tuesday.
The report stated its source, an NHL team executive, told Minnesota he was not interested in acquiring Gaborik, the lone remaining original member of the Wild.
It is believed Minnesota general manager Doug Risebrough has had discussions with the Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings regarding Gaborik, the Star Tribune reported. The right wing has turned down a number of contract extension offers, and Risebrough and agent Ron Salcer both told the Star Tribune the sides have not spoken in two weeks.
Drafted third overall in 2000, Gaborik has recorded 207 goals and 415 points – both franchise highs – in 487 career games with the Wild. This season, the 26-year-old Slovakian notched one tally in two contests before missing the team’s last two games with a “lower body” injury.
A two-time All-Star, Gaborik has reached the 30-goal mark five times during his seven seasons in the NHL, netting a career-high 42 in 2007-08. He also represented his country at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Injury Updates:
Red Wings D Lilja undergoes appendectomy Red Wings defenceman Andreas Lilja has undergone an appendectomy. The team says Lilja could return to the lineup as soon as Friday following Tuesday’s surgery at the Detroit Medical Center. The team also says forward Darren Helm has been assigned to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Helm was called up to Detroit on Thursday and appeared in two games. Helm was Detroit’s fifth-round selection in the 2005 draft.
Blue Jackets activate centre Malhotra and place winger Modin on IR The Columbus Blue Jackets activated centre Manny Malhotra off injured reserve Tuesday. He has been nursing a lower-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup through the club’s first five games. The Blue Jackets also placed left-winger Fredrik Modin on injured reserve with a hip injury. Modin, who has three assists in five games, is expected to miss at least three games.
Ducks C Getzlaf out of lineup The Anaheim Ducks are without one of their top players for Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs as center Ryan Getzlaf was scratched due to an issue with his teeth.
Signings & Acquisitions:
Blues claim LW Koci on waivers from Lightning The St. Louis Blues on Tuesday claimed left wing David Koci on waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Koci, 27, played in one game with Tampa Bay this season, posting four penalty minutes. The 6-6, 238-pounder has skated in 28 career NHL contests, recording 160 penalty minutes. The Czech Republic native originally was taken by Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the 2000 draft.
Rangers place LW Rissmiller on waivers Patrick Rissmiller’s days with the New York Rangers could be coming to an end. According to a report by New York Newsday on Tuesday night, the Rangers placed the left wing on waivers.
Ducks place D Klee on waivers The Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday placed defenseman Ken Klee on waivers. Teams have until 9 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday to claim the 37-year-old Klee, who could be assigned to Iowa of the American Hockey League should there be no takers.
The Yzerman have it By Brian Compton – NHL.com Staff Writer
There’s no doubt that Steve Yzerman was a winner during his playing days with the Detroit Red Wings.
Now, he gets to show his skills in the front office with Team Canada.
Yzerman, who won three Stanley Cup championships with the Red Wings during his career and another as the team’s vice president last season, will expand his executive talents in a big way after being named executive director of Team Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Indeed, there will be pressure on Yzerman to lead Canada to a gold medal on its own soil. Yzerman helped his country win the tournament in 2002 in Salt Lake City.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity,” Yzerman said on Saturday during a conference call with the media. “I would stress to everyone what a great challenge we have ahead of us. There’s tremendous talent around the world. By no means because we’re playing on home ice is any gold medal a lock. Our goal, obviously, is to win the gold medal. We’ll do everything we can as a group to assemble an outstanding coaching staff and an outstanding team.”
Zetterberg iffy for Wednesday Zetterberg (groin) missed his second straight game on Saturday, while his status for Wednesday’s game against St. Louis is unclear, the Royal Oak Daily Tribune reports. (Yahoo!)
Andrei Kostitsyn to be sidelined Monday The Canadiens did not have an update on Kostitsyn’s injury on Sunday, but head coach Guy Carbonneau confirmed that he will not play on Monday against Florida, TSN.ca reports. (Yahoo!)
Player Updates:
Jackets send G LaCosta to AHL The Columbus Blue Jackets sent goaltender Dan LaCosta to the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in Syracuse. LaCosta stopped 15 of 17 shots in 35 minutes Saturday night at Nashville in relief of Fredrik Norrena. The 22-year-old was recalled late Friday after starting goaltender Pascal Leclaire injured his right thumb when he caught a shot on the inside of his blocker. Leclaire’s injury was not considered serious and LaCosta’s return to the AHL likely means that Leclaire will return before the Blue Jackets’ next game on Tuesday. LaCosta is 4-0-0 with a 2.09 goals-against average and .933 save percentage in four games with Syracuse. (NHL.com)
Lightining assign D Heward to Norfolk The Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday assigned defenseman Jamie Heward to Norfolk of the American Hockey League. The 6-2, 215-pound Heward played in three games this season, registering two assists. In his ninth NHL season, Heward is a veteran of 384 games with Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Washington, Columbus, New York Islanders, Nashville and Toronto.
Pascal Leclaire: Ready to go Leclaire (ankle) returned to practice Tuesday and declared himself ready for the season opener, the Columbus Dispatch reports. (Yahoo! Sports)
League Updates:
Hockey great Bobby Orr revisits pain of many knee surgeries in new TV ad It’s hard not to wince watching Bobby Orr’s latest TV commercial, which highlights the many scars on his knees from the injuries that shortened his Hall of Fame hockey career. “When I first saw it, I thought ‘I’m not going to be a leg model,”’ the former Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks superstar joked in a telephone interview on Wednesday. “I asked my wife what she thought and she was choked up. “There were some tough times, but there were good times, too.” (Yahoo! Sports)
Signings, Transactions & Acquisitions:
Penguins send LW Pesonen, G Curry to minors The Pittsburgh Penguins reached the 23-man roster limit Wednesday by assigning goaltender John Curry and left wing Janne Pesonen to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. Both players accompanied the Penguins to Stockholm, Sweden for their season-opening, two-game series against the Ottawa Senators but did not appear in either contest. (Yahoo! Sports)
Bruins assign C Sobotka to Providence The Boston Bruins on Wednesday assigned center Vladimir Sobotka to Providence of the American Hockey League. Sobotka scored one goal and added six assists in 48 games with Boston last season. He also notched 10 tallies and 20 points in 18 contests with Providence. (Yahoo! Sports)
Canucks send three forwards down to AHL Veteran Vancouver Canucks forwards Matt Pettinger, Jeff Cowan and Jason Krog were sent down to the American Hockey League after clearing waivers on Wednesday. Pettinger, who has played 354 NHL games over seven seasons and is making US$1.1 million this season and Krog were both sent to Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. Cowan, a tough guy who has played more than 400 NHL games since 2000, was sent to Peoria, the affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. (Yahoo! Sports)
Isles claim C Thompson from Bruins The New York Islanders added a center Wednesday, claiming Nate Thompson off waivers from the Boston Bruins. A sixth-round pick in 2003, Thompson was placed on waivers by Boston on Tuesday. The 24-year-old native of Anchorage, Alaska made his NHL debut with the Bruins in 2006-07, appearing in four games without recording a point. (Yahoo! Sports)
Ducks recall G LeNeveu from minors The Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday recalled goaltender David LeNeveu from Iowa of the American Hockey League. (Yahoo! Sports)
Coyotes demote D Jones, C Murray The Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday demoted a pair of players and placed defenseman Jonas Ahnelov on injured reserve. Defenseman Matt Jones and center Garth Murray were assigned to San Antonio of the American Hockey League by the Coyotes, who trimmed their roster to the 23-man limit for Saturday’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets. (Yahoo! Sports)
PIONEER PRESS: Tom Powers reports multiple sources claim Marian Gaborik and his agent rejected a ten-year contract offer worth over $8 million per season from the Minnesota Wild. Powers suggests to GM Doug Risebrough that if he can’t re-sign Gaborik soon he needs to trade him fast otherwise the worse it’ll be when he finally does decide to move him.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports sources claims Senators owner Eugene Melnyk met with former Toronto Maple Leaf Mats Sundin last weekend in Sweden during the Senators weekend games there against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Melnyk apparently told Sundin of the sincerity of GM Bryan Murray’s interest in signing Sundin, who has yet to make a decision as to his future. Garrioch also reports Sundin is rumored unlikely to return to the Maple Leafs if he does decide to return, preferring to sign with a Cup contender.
COURIER POST ONLINE: Chuck Gormley reports Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren spent most of Wednesday shopping around for an experienced defenseman to replace injury blueliner Ryan Parent but had nothing yet to report.
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: David Pollak reports the Sharks demoted veteran defenseman Kyle McLaren to the minors yesterday after he cleared waivers, being unable to find any interest in him on the trade market. Forward Jeff Friesen meanwhile remains in limbo as he and the club attempt to work out a contract but GM Doug Wilson suggested his status could be resolved soon.
SPORTING NEWS: Craig Custance reports Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Ondrej Pavelec has decided to report to the club’s minor league affiliate.
MIAMI HERALD: George Richards reports the Florida Panthers continue to negotiate a contract with defenseman Jassen Cullimore. If he’s signed fellow blueliner Cory Murphy, who recently cleared waivers, could be a roster casualty.
TAMPA TRIBUNE: Erik Erlendsson reports the Lightning weren’t interested in the defensemen on yesterday’s waiver wire but suggests it’s possible they might claim somebody off re-entry waivers.
DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Mike Heika reports the Stars placed defenseman Doug Janik on waivers, where he was claimed by the Chicago Blackhawks, then re-acquired him via trade, exchanging a conditional seventh round draft pick with the Blackhawks.
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: reports forward Kris Beech has refused to report to the minors and been placed on unconditional waivers, where if he’s unclaimed and fails to report to the minors within two weeks his contract can be terminated.
Islanders D Lee leaves game on stretcher New York Islanders defenseman Chris Lee left Monday’s 6-0 preseason loss against the Florida Panthers on a stretcher with an undisclosed injury. (Yahoo! Sports)
Scott Walker: Torn ligament Walker will miss six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left hand on Monday. (ESPN)
Josh Harding could return Saturday Harding (eye) could be ready to return by Saturday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. (ESPN)
Nick Tarnasky could play opening night Coach Barry Trotz said Tarnasky (broken thumb) could probably play
opening-night if he had to, but he is still wearing a splint on his
broken thumb, the Nashville Tennessean reports. (ESPN)
Steve Rucchin: Concussion Doubtful for 2008-09 season. Expected to retire. (Sportsline)
Martin Gelinas: Knee Questionable for 2008-09 season. (Sportsline)
Chris Campoli: Undisclosed IR. Out until at least mid-October. (Sportsline)
Mike Sillinger: Hip IR. Out until at least mid-October. (Sportsline)
Andy Sutton: Hamstring IR. Out until at least mid-October. (Sportsline)
Steve Downie: Knee Questionable for Oct. 11 vs. N.Y. Rangers. (Sportsline)
Torrey Mitchell: Leg
IR. Out until at least mid-November. (Sportsline)
Jeff Finger: Foot
IR. Out until at least mid-October. (Sportsline)
Viktor Kozlov: Groin
Questionable for Oct. 10 at Atlanta. (Sportsline)
Suspensions:
Ryan Hollweg: 2 game suspension Hollweg received a two-game suspension Monday for his third boarding or
checking from behind major over a 41-game span, the Associated Press
reports. (ESPN)
Team News:
Maple Leafs D Schenn earns spot on roster Defenseman Luke Schenn, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first-round pick in this year’s draft, has earned a spot on the team’s opening day roster. The fifth overall selection in the draft, the 18-year-old Schenn had an excellent training camp for the Maple Leafs, recording a goal and a plus-3 rating in seven games. The Saskatchewan native is considered a likely candidate to join Team Canada later this year for the World Junior Championships. (Yahoo! Sports)
Signings, Transactions & Acquisitions:
Blue Jackets send LaCosta to minors & release Matvichuk The Columbus Blue Jackets assigned goaltender Dan LaCosta to their American Hockey League affiliate and released defenseman Richard Matvichuk from his tryout contract on Monday. The 35-year-old Matvichuk played for Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock with the Dallas Stars when they won the Stanley Cup in 1999. With 14 years and almost 800 games in the NHL, he was making $96 a day in training-camp pay to try to make the team after being out of the league a year ago. (Yahoo! Sports)
Hurricanes sign LW LaCouture to 1-year deal The Carolina Hurricanes on Monday signed left wing Dan LaCouture to a one-year contract. The deal will pay LaCouture $475,000 on the NHL level or $50,000 on the American Hockey League level, with a guarantee of at least $75,000 during the 2008-09 season. (Yahoo! Sports)
Mark Bell placed on Waivers Bell has been placed on waivers, reports the Toronto Star. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rangers assign Wiikman to minors The New York Rangers on Monday assigned goaltender Miika Wiikman to Hartford of the American Hockey League. The 23-year-old Swede did not dress for the Rangers in their weekend series against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Prague, Czech Republic. (Yahoo! Sports)
Capitals waive Laing, send Bourque to AHL The Washington Capitals set their season-opening roster Monday, sending 2007 first-round draft pick Karl Alzner and Chris Bourque to AHL club Hershey and waiving forward Quintin Laing. Alzner was the No. 5 overall pick last year. The 20-year-old defenseman signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Washington in May. (Yahoo! Sports)
Canucks acquire O’Brien & Ouellet from Lightning The Vancouver Canucks acquired defenseman Shane O’Brien and right wing Michel Ouellet from the Tampa Lightning on Monday for defenseman Lukas Krajicek and right wing Juraj Simek. O’Brien, 25, recorded four goals and 21 points in 77 games with the Lightning last season. He has played in 158 NHL games, scoring six goals and 31 assists with 330 penalty minutes. (Yahoo! Sports)
THE SPORTING NEWS: Craig Custance reports defenseman Bryan Berard is considering his options after being recently cut by the Philadelphia Flyers.
OTTAWA SUN: Chris Stevenson reports an NHL team is believed to have put out “feelers” for former Ottawa Senators goalie Ray Emery, who’s currently playing in the KHL after failing to sign with an NHL team as a free agent this summer.
EDMONTON SUN: Derek Van Diest yesterday reported the Edmonton Oilers intend to start the season with three goalies, unwilling to demote Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers, who has had a good pre-season, as he’d first have to pass through waivers where he’d be claimed by a rival club.
MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan reports Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland was working the phones trying to move a defenseman prior to the 3 PM deadline on Wednesday to submit final rosters to the league and be salary cap compliant. An NHL source claims Holland is shopping defenseman Kyle Quincey .
THE TENNESSEAN: John Glennon reports Nashville Predators GM David Poile would like to trim his roster to 22 to leave a spot open to pluck a player off waivers or acquire one via trade.
RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER: Chip Alexander reports the Carolina Hurricanes management are considering their options which could include trading for a top line winger, although GM Jim Rutherford said he wouldn’t make a trade just for the sake of doing so.
VANCOUVER PROVINCE: Jason Botchford reports Canucks GM Mike Gillis might wait until Wednesday’s waiver wire deadline to make his final cuts, not wishing to lose any more players via waivers after defenseman Norm McIver was plucked off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks.
The Yzerman have it
