March 2014 - Hockey Wiretap

USA Names Zach Parise Captain

Sep 25, 2014 7:13 AM

The United States men's hockey team named the Wild's Zach Parise captain for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, with teammate Ryan Suter and Kings forward Dustin Brown serving as alternates, according to an ESPN.com report on Friday.

ESPN.com

Tags: Minnesota Wild, Misc Rumor, Personal Award

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Avs Sign Semyon Varlamov To Extension

Jun 24, 2014 10:09 AM

The Avalanche announced today that the team has signed goaltender Semyon Varlamov to a five-year contract extension through the 2018-19 season.

Varlamov has posted a 26-9-5 record with a 2.43 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and one shutout in 42 games (39 starts) this season.  Varlamov has already tied his career high with 26 wins, equaling his total from his first season with Colorado (2011-12).  The Samara, Russia native is tied for third among NHL goaltenders in wins, ranks second in saves (1,199), third in shots faced (1,296), sixth in games (42-tied) and eighth in save percentage (.925).

 “Undoubtedly, Semyon has been an impact player for us this season,” said Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic.  “At only 25 years old, he is entering the prime years of his career and he wants to be part of this franchise moving forward.  We are very excited to have come to terms with him and the fact that he has agreed to a five-year extension demonstrates his commitment to the Avalanche and what we’re trying to accomplish.”

ESPN.com

Tags: Colorado Avalanche, Signing

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Leafs Trade Fraser To Oilers For Abney, Rights To Hartikainen

Oct 8, 2014 6:39 AM

David Nonis, Senior Vice-President and GM of the Maple Leafs, announced Friday that the club has traded defenceman Mark Fraser to the Oilers. In exchange, the Leafs receive forwards Cameron Abney and the rights to restricted free agent Teemu Hartikainen.

Abney, 22, was Edmonton’s third-round selection, 82nd overall, in the 2009 NHL Draft. He is currently with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL.

Hartikainen, 23, was the Oilers’ sixth-round selection, 163th overall, in the 2008 NHL Draft. He has played in 52 career NHL games over three different seasons with Edmonton and has six career goals and seven assists with 16 minutes in penalties. Currently with Ufa Salavat Yulayev of the KHL, the left-winger has collected 13 goals and 14 assists in 43 KHL games in 2013-14.

Fraser, 27, appeared in 19 games with the Leafs this season. He has not dressed for the past 11 games. In 2012-13, the defenceman played in 45 games for Toronto and recorded eight assists and 85 penalty minutes. 

Press Release

Tags: Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Official Trade

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Shea Weber Day To Day With Upper Body Injury

Sep 19, 2014 4:03 PM

Predators captain Shea Weber is day to day with an upper body injury and did not skate Thursday in Nashville's first practice since the defenseman was hurt.

Weber left Tuesday night's win at Winnipeg in the third period and did not return. The Predators took Wednesday off, and Weber was not seen in the locker room after practice Thursday.

ESPN.com

Tags: Nashville Predators, Injury, Misc Rumor

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Rangers Complete Sweep Of Devils, Islanders

Sep 21, 2014 7:14 PM

Despite being the road team in both games at Yankee Stadium, the Rangers made themselves at home in the ballpark in the Bronx and completed a sweep of the Devils and Islanders.

The Rangers rallied for the second straight game and topped the Islanders 2-1 on Wednesday night on Daniel Carcillo's tiebreaking goal 4:36 into the third period.

ESPN.com

Tags: New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Game Recap

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Mark Fistric Gets New Three-Year Deal With Ducks

Oct 3, 2014 10:27 AM

Defenseman Mark Fistric has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Ducks.

The deal is worth $3.8M, a source told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun,

ESPN.com

Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Misc Rumor, Terms Agreement

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Stars Sign Ryan Garbutt To Extension

Jun 24, 2014 11:14 AM

The Stars have signed forward Ryan Garbutt to a three-year, $5.4M contract extension.

Garbutt has a career-high 18 points with 10 goals and eight assists in 46 games this season.

ESPN.com

Tags: Dallas Stars, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Coyotes To Change Name To 'Arizona Coyotes'

Aug 8, 2014 3:40 PM

Phoenix Coyotes Co-Owner, President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc announced today that the Phoenix Coyotes will officially change their franchise name to the Arizona Coyotes beginning at the start of the 2014-15 NHL season.

"We are very excited to announce that our franchise name will change to Arizona Coyotes for the start of the 2014-15 NHL season," said LeBlanc. "Becoming the Arizona Coyotes makes sense for us since we play our games in Glendale and the city is such a great partner of ours. We also want to be recognized as not just the hockey team for Glendale or Phoenix, but the team for the entire state of Arizona and the Southwest. We hope that the name 'Arizona' will encourage more fans from all over the state, not just the valley, to embrace and support our team."

As part of the name change, the Coyotes will be introducing a new shoulder patch for their home and road jerseys in 2014-15. The patch will be unveiled for the Coyotes first preseason game next season. The rest of the Coyotes uniform will not change.

The franchise has been known as the Phoenix Coyotes since it moved to the Valley from Winnipeg in 1996. The Coyotes played their home games in downtown Phoenix from 1996 until 2003 when they moved to their current home, Jobing.com Arena, in Glendale.

Press Release

Tags: Phoenix Coyotes, Misc Rumor

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Vinny Prospal Retires After 16 NHL Seasons

Oct 31, 2014 6:15 AM

Veteran center Vinny Prospal announced his retirement Tuesday after 16 NHL seasons, according to an ESPN.com report.

The 38-year-old Prospal, who last played for the Jackets last season, played 1,108 games in his career and had 255 goals and 510 assists for 765 points.

ESPN.com

Tags: Columbus Blue Jackets, Misc Rumor

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Stamkos Believes He Can Play In Olympics Regardless

Sep 12, 2014 4:04 PM

Lightning star Steven Stamkos added a new wrinkle to his Olympic comeback hopes, telling a media contingent here Tuesday morning that it's not inconceivable for him to play in Sochi even if he doesn't get into an NHL before-hand, according to an ESPN.com report.

ESPN.com

Tags: Tampa Bay Lightning, Injury, Misc Rumor

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NHL Won't Commit To Olympics Past Sochi
The NHL has not decided to allow its players to participate in the Olympics beyond this year.

ESPN.com

San Francisco Bulls Fold Operations
The San Francisco Bulls, an ECHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks, folded operations on Monday.

ESPN.com

NHL Won't Get Guinness Record For Fans
A counting issue will prevent Guinness from giving the NHL the record for largest game attendance at a hockey game.

ESPN.com

Brodeur Blasts Ice At Yankee Stadium
Devils goalie Martin Brodeur said the ice at Yankee Stadium was the "worst ice I ever played on."

ESPN.com

Lundqvist, Rangers Beat Devils At Yankee Stadium
Sun reflecting off the ice delayed the start of the first hockey game at Yankee Stadium for about an hour on Sunday.

ESPN.com

Ducks Beat Kings At Dodger Stadium
The Ducks beat the Kings 3-0 on Saturday night in the NHL's first warm-weather outdoor game at Dodger Stadium.

ESPN.com

Stamkos Practices With Teammates
Steven Stamkos went through some light contact drills with teammates on Saturday.

ESPN.com

Source: Sharks Sign Marleau, Thornton To Extensions
Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton were slated to be unrestricted free agent this summer.

ESPN.com

Wild Stars Tell Families Not To Attend Olympics
Ryan Suter has said that his wife and two young children won't be traveling to Russia for the Olympics.

ESPN.com

Crosby Wanted Toews' Blessing On Captaincy
Sidney Crosby wanted to make sure Jonathan Toews was fine with him getting the Team Canada captaincy.

ESPN.com

Kings Send Kozun To Leafs For Crescenzi
Andrew Crescenzi had two points in 32 games this season with the AHL Marlies.

Press Release

Rangers, Predators Swap Defenseman
The Rangers have acquired Kevin Klein from the Predators in exchange for Michael Del Zotto.

ESPN.com

Rangers Agree To Terms With David LeNeveu
The Rangers agreed to terms with free agent goaltender David LeNeveu on Tuesday.

Press Release

Wings' Howard Out At Least One Week
Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard was hurt Monday night against the Blues.

ESPN.com

Bruins Concerned About Sochi Security Threats
There is a growing concern among NHL players about the security threats to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi.

ESPN.com

NHL Suspends Tortorella 15 Days
The NHL also fined Flames head coach Bob Hartley $25,000 for conduct against the welfare of the league.

ESPN.com

Crosby Will Captain Team Canada
Sidney Crosby is the face of the NHL and hockey in Canada.

ESPN.com

Brawl Breaks Out When First Puck Drops In Canucks-Flames Game
Canucks coach John Tortorella has to be restrained from entering the Flames' locker room at the end of the first period on Saturday night.

ESPN.com

Mason Signs Extension With Flyers
Goaltender Steve Mason has signed a three-year, $12.3M extension with the Flyers.

ESPN.com

Steen To Return From Concussion
The Blues activated Alexander Steen from injured reserve on Friday.

ESPN.com