March 2013 - Hockey Wiretap

Lightning, Nikita Nesterov Agree On Entry Deal

Oct 3, 2014 10:28 AM

The Lightning have agreed to terms with defenseman Nikita Nesterov on a three-year, entry-level contract today, vice president and GM Steve Yzerman announced. 

Nesterov played in 35 games with Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL this season, recording 14 penalty minutes while averaging 12:21 in average ice time.  He also appeared in 19 playoff games, recording four assists as Traktor lost to Dynamo Moscow in the Continental Cup Finals.  

Nesterov, 20, was selected by Tampa Bay in the fifth round, 158th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.  He participated in the 2012 Lightning Development Camp at the Brandon Ice Sports Forum.   

Press Release

Tags: Tampa Bay Lightning, Terms Agreement

Discuss
Predators Sign Patric Hornqvist

Sep 13, 2014 8:14 PM

Predators President of Hockey Operations/GM David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Patric Hornqvist to a five-year, $21.25M contract.

“As we build towards the 2013-14 season and beyond, re-signing Patric Hornqvist was an off-season priority,” Poile said. “Since joining the Predators, he has become—and will remain—an integral member of our core group. Patric is everything we talk about as a Predator—he is relentless in going to the net and willing to pay the price to score goals, has a terrific work ethic and is  a quality person who is respected on and off the ice. Patric is just entering the prime of his career. He has led our team in goal-scoring in two of the last four seasons and we are looking forward to him being a significant part of the Predators’ on-ice success in the years to come.”

Hornqvist, 26, has amassed 20-plus goals in each of three full NHL seasons, becoming the first Nashville draft pick to do so.

Press Release

Tags: Nashville Predators, Signing

Discuss
Avs Win First Pick In 2013 NHL Draft

Jun 16, 2014 1:59 AM

The Avalanche will have the No. 1 overall selection at the 2013 NHL Draft after winning the Draft Lottery on Monday night.  The draft will be held on Sunday, June 30, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. 

The Avalanche, which finished 29th out of 30 teams this past season, entered the lottery with an 18.8% chance of winning.  The Panthers had the best chance at 25.0%.  All 14 clubs not qualifying for the playoffs were eligible to win the first overall pick.

“This is an exciting night for our organization and our fans,” said Avalanche Director of Amateur Scouting Richard Pracey. “Having the first overall pick allows us to add an elite prospect to an already solid group of young players.” 

Press Release

Tags: Colorado Avalanche, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor

Discuss
New Stars GM Not Ready To Name Coach

Sep 16, 2014 1:14 PM

The Stars have a new GM, but Jim Nill isn't ready to say if he'll have a new coach.

Nill was introduced Monday after spending the past 15 years as an assistant GM with the Red Wings, who just extended the longest playoff streak in North American pro sports to 22 seasons.

Glen Gulutzan has coached the last two of five straight years without a trip to the postseason in Dallas. The Stars hold the option on the only remaining year in his contract.

ESPN.com

Tags: Dallas Stars, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Laviolette Will Return As Head Coach

Sep 8, 2014 5:32 PM

Peter Laviolette has another chance to win the Stanley Cup with the Flyers, and will return for his fifth season, according to an ESPN.com report.

"We're not in the playoffs, so we all underperformed," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said Sunday. "Players, coaches, myself. And we've got to get better. I'm not unhappy with the coaches. I think they did a good job under the circumstances. But we're sitting here today talking and the playoffs are going to start in two days and we're not in them, so that's not good."

ESPN.com

Tags: Philadelphia Flyers, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Avalanche Fire Coach Joe Sacco

Jul 6, 2014 6:59 AM

The Avalanche announced today that head coach Joe Sacco has been relieved of his duties.  

“The organization believes a change of leadership behind the bench is needed going forward,” said Avalanche GM/Executive Vice President Greg Sherman.  “Joe has worked for this franchise for eight seasons and he is a dedicated and hard working coach.  We appreciate all he has done and wish him the best in the future.”

Press Release

Tags: Colorado Avalanche, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Stars Fire GM Joe Nieuwendyk

Aug 15, 2014 5:31 PM

The Stars have fired Joe Nieuwendyk as GM, the team said Sunday.

Two sources told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun the Stars have hired Detroit assistant GM Jim Nill to replace Nieuwendyk. 

 "I believe it is time to take this organization in a different direction with our intentions set on returning to the elite of the National Hockey League," Stars owner Tom Gaglardi said in a statement.

 

ESPN.com

Tags: Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Sources: Stars To Replace Nieuwendyk As GM

Sep 15, 2014 2:33 PM

The Stars will replace Joe Nieuwendyk as GM with Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill, two sources confirmed to ESPN.com Saturday night.

It wasn't clear when the official announcement would come.

ESPN.com

Tags: Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Ryan Miller's Future In Buffalo Uncertain

Sep 7, 2014 12:47 PM

With the NHL season over, Ryan Miller will be going home to Southern California next week.

The Buffalo goalie still has one year left on his contract, but he acknowledged Saturday his future with the Sabres is uncertain, according to an ESPN.com report.

ESPN.com

Tags: Buffalo Sabres, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Caps Re-Sign Neuvirth To New Deal

Jul 25, 2014 4:21 AM

The Capitals have signed goaltender Michal Neuvirth to a two-year, $5M contract extension, according to an ESPN.com report.

Neuvirth will make $2.4M next season and $2.6M in 2014-15 in the deal announced by the Capitals on Saturday.

ESPN.com

Tags: Washington Capitals, Signing

Discuss
Jochen Hecht Announces Retirement
Sabres veteran forward Jochen Hecht announced his retirement from the NHL on Friday night.

ESPN.com

Crosby's Playoff Status Uncertain
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby took part in non-contact drills on Friday.

ESPN.com

Crosby Cleared To Resume Practice
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been cleared to practice with the team on Friday.

ESPN.com

Alexander Semin Will Miss Final Two Games
Alexander Semin has a concussion and will miss the team's final two regular-season games.

NHL.com

Karlsson Ready To Return To Ice
Erik Karlsson is ready to play some hockey once again.

ESPN.com

Hawks Capture Presidents' Trophy
The Blackhawks clinched the league's best record on Wednesday with a 4-1 win over the Oilers.

ESPN.com

NHL Suspends Dustin Brown Two Games
The NHL has suspended Kings forward Dustin Brown for two games for elbowing Wild forward Jason Pominville.

Press Release

Jared Staal To Make NHL Debut
Jared Staal is scheduled to make his NHL debut with the Hurricanes on Thursday night against the Rangers.

ESPN.com

Fehr, Volpatti Re-Sign With Capitals
The playoff-bound Capitals re-signed forwards Eric Fehr and Aaron Volpatti on Wednesday.

ESPN.com

Capitals Win To Claim Southeast Title
The Capitals beat the Jets 5-3 on Tuesday night to clinch the Southeast Division title.

ESPN.com

Calvert Signs Deal With Jackets
The Blue Jackets signed Matt Calvert to a two-year extension on Tuesday.

ESPN.com

Lightning Sign Mathieu Roy
The Lightning have signed defenseman Mathieu Roy to an NHL contract for the remainder of the season.

Press Release

Ducks Win To Clinch Pacific Title
The Ducks beat the Oilers 3-0 on Monday night to clinch the Pacific Division title.

ESPN.com

NHL Names Ladd, Richards, Couture 'Three Stars'
Andrew Ladd led the NHL with eight points and six assists in three games to help the Jets pick up five points in their push for the playoffs.

NHL.com

Ducks Beat Oilers, Can Clinch Pacific Division On Monday
The Ducks beat the Oilers 3-1 on Sunday to snap a four-game slide.

ESPN.com

Shoulder Tear Ends Nugent-Hopkins' Season
Oilers center Ryan Hopkins-Nugent has a labral tear in his shoulder that will likely need surgery.

NHL.com

Pens Clinch Home-Ice Advantage In The East
The Penguins beat the Bruins 3-2 on Saturday to earn the home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference.

ESPN.com

Leafs Return To Playoffs For First Time Since 2004
The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 4-1 on Saturday night to earn a playoff spot.

ESPN.com

Flames Sign MacDonald To Extension
The Flames signed goaltender Joey MacDonald to a one-year extension on Saturday.

NHL.com

Hossa's OT Goal Gives Hawks 7th Straight Win
The Blackhawks beat the Predators 5-4 on Friday night, sweeping the season series for the first time.

ESPN.com