March 2006 - Hockey Wiretap
Stars Name Morrow Their Captain
The Stars named Brendan Morrow their captain Friday, a move that relegated Mike Modano to being an assistant captain with Sergei Zubov. Modano, the franchise's career leader in scoring and games played, had been the captain since 2003.
Click here to find out more!
Morrow, a 27-year-old left wing, signed a $24.6 million, six-year extension last week that will keep him with the Stars through the 2012-13 season. Morrow has appeared in 451 career games since being a first-round pick by Dallas in 1997.
Devils Trying To Get Mogilny's Salary Removed
With tough decisions to make in the next few days to get under the cap while signing free agents such as Brian Gionta, general manager Lou Lamoriello has spoken to the NHL about having Alexander Mogilny's $3.5 million salary removed because of a chronic hip problem.
"The Devils have apprised us that Mr. Mogilny is suffering from a hockey-related disability and is currently unable to play," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said via e-mail. "But they have not formally filed an application for Long Term Injury status at this point in time. Nothing has been filed relating to (retired defenseman Vladimir) Malakhov."
Blue Jackets Re-Sign Zherdev
The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed right wing Nikolai Zherdev to a three-year contract, club President and General Manager Doug MacLean announced today. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.
"Nikolai is a supremely talented player with the ability to bring fans out of their seats every time he steps on the ice," said MacLean. "I think this agreement shows the commitment the Blue Jackets have to him and also the commitment he has to our organization and fans. We think this season is going to be our best yet and Nikolai will be a big part of any success we have moving forward."
Coburn Suffers Separated Shoulder
The bid of defenseman Braydon Coburn to make the Thrashers hit a setback on Sunday night as the 21-year-old separated his right shoulder.
The Thrashers did not have an on-ice workout on Monday, but after a team meeting Coburn, the eighth overall pick in the 2003 NHL draft, was scheduled to see doctors. The team did not release a timeline for Coburn's return, but coach Bob Hartley said the injury is "not major."
Last season, Thrashers defenseman Shane Hnidy suffered a separated shoulder in the preseason and missed about three weeks. Whether Coburn's injury is similar remains to be seen.
Two other Thrashers defensemen who had been injured are on the mend. Mark Popovic, who has been out since taking a slapshot on the foot in a pregame skate in Dallas on Sept. 18, will play on Wednesday at Florida, and Vitaly Vishnevski, who has missed all of camp, will practice for the first time today, Hartley said.
Yzerman Steps Into Front Office With Red Wings
Steve Yzerman joined the Detroit front office on Monday, becoming the vice president of the Red Wings.
Yzerman, the former captain, helped guide Detroit to Stanley Cup victories in 1997, '98 and 2002. He retired in July.
"After retiring as the longest serving captain in NHL history and the on-ice leader of our franchise for 23 years, it is only fitting that he join our management team," Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said in a statement.
Yzerman ranks eighth all-time in the NHL record books with 185 playoff points. The 10-time All-Star led all active players last season with 1,755 regular-season points, a total that trails only five others in league history.
Pens: Malkin Will Not Need Surgery
Penguins center Evgeni Malkin will not need surgery on his dislocated left shoulder, general manager Ray Shero confirmed Monday, but there is no timetable for how long the 20-year-old Russian will be out of the lineup.
"We need to see over the course of time with the rehab now he responds," Shero said. "Everybody's different. I don't want to say two weeks when it could be longer or four weeks when it could be shorter. We'll just go as he responds." Shero said the team should know later in the week precisely when Malkin will be able to return to the lineup. The Penguins open the season Oct. 5 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Blackhawks Sign Chris Durno
General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the Blackhawks have signed forward Chris Durno. Durno had come to training camp on a tryout basis.
Durno, 6.04 and 205 pounds, split last season between Gwinnett in the ECHL and Milwaukee in the AHL.
He began the season with Gwinnett where he appeared in 13 games and scored 12 goals and 22 points. He was moved up to Milwaukee in the AHL where he played in 57 games scoring 20 goals and 40 points with 52 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, he appeared 21 games and had 2 goals and 4 points with 18 penalty minutes.
Kings Sign Goalie Dan Cloutier
The Los Angeles Kings have reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension with Kings goaltender Dan Cloutier, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today. Per club policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.
Cloutier, 30, was acquired by the Kings from Vancouver for a second-round selection in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and a conditional selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft on July 5, 2006.
Minnesota Signs Joel Ward
Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed RW Joel Ward to a 2006-07 contract. Per club policy, financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Ward, 25, is in the midst of his second Wild training camp, after his performance with the American Hockey League?s (AHL) Houston Aeros last season earned him an invite. Ward has played in each of the past two preseason games for the Wild and has skated to an even plus/minus ratio in 18:49 of action.
Kings Loan Two Left Wings To AHL Team
The Los Angeles Kings have loaned left wings Noah Clarke and Matt Moulson to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.
Clarke, 27, appeared in three preseason games with the Kings. The 5-9, 175-pound native of La Verne, California, recorded one assist (0-1=1), three shots and two penalty minutes in his three games. Clarke, selected by the Kings in the ninth-round (250th overall) in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, has one assist and zero penalty minutes in seven career NHL regular season games (all with the Kings).
NHL Suspends Klesla Two Games
Rostislave Klesla has been suspended for a hit on Tuomo Ruutu.
Devils Hope To Trade McGillis
The $2.2 million salary of Dan McGillis will not count against the NHL cap.
Yzerman Joins Red Wings Front Office
After retiring in July, Steve Yzerman joined the Detroit front office on Monday, becoming the vice president of the Red Wings.
Bad News For Stortini
Edmonton Sun