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Trotz calls out Craig Smith, Sergei Kostitsyn

Nashville Predators coach Barry Trotz called out Craig Smith and Sergei Kostitsyn for their lack of production this season.

"We expected production from Sergei and Craig Smith and we got none," Trotz said. "Both those guys, we were looking at them to be top-six, top-seven forwards and we got no production." Ouch. Smith finished with four goals and 12 points while Kostitsyn scored three goals and 15 points. Both were pretty big disappointments for a Predators team that finished tied for last in the NHL in scoring with 2.27 goals per game.

Source: The Examiner

Mon, Apr 29, 2013 10:04:00 PM

Travis Zajac (pectoral) is out 4-6 months

Travis Zajac will miss four to six months after undergoing pectoral surgery.

Depending on how his recovery goes, Zajac should be back sometime between December and February. "This morning, Travis Zajac underwent successful surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle that was suffered last week during off-season training," said GM Ray Shero. "The procedure was performed by the club's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jonathan L. Glashow." The 32-year-old had 14 goals and 45 points in 80 games with the Devils last season. The injury gives first overall pick Nico Hischier an even better chance of sticking with the team out of training camp.

Source: New Jersey Devils on Twitter

Aug 17 - 4:57 PM

Matt Cullen signs one-year deal with Wild

The Minnesota Wild have signed Matt Cullen to a one-year contract worth $1 million.

Cullen can also make $700,000 in performance bonuses. The 40-year-old was contemplating retirement after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he decided to play another year in his home state. Cullen also spent three years with the Wild between 2009 and 2013. He had 13 goals and 31 points in 72 games last season. He's still a useful player, but he won't carry any fantasy value.

Source: NHL.com/Wild

Aug 16 - 4:47 PM

Oilers sign Leon Draisaitl to eight-year deal

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year contract worth $68 million.

That works out to an annual average value of $8.5 million. Draisaitl put up solid numbers in 2015-16 (19 goals, 51 points in 72 games), but he really came into his own last season, as he was second on the Oilers with 29 goals and 77 points in 82 games. The 21-year-old has quickly emerged as one of the best young centers in the NHL, and the Oilers have shown their commitment to him with this huge contract. Draisaitl will carry the biggest cap hit on Edmonton's roster next year, but he'll be passed by Connor McDavid's $12.5 million cap hit two years from now. After McDavid, he's the most dangerous forward on the team.

Source: Edmonton Oilers on Twitter

Aug 16 - 2:15 PM

Will Butcher is officially a free agent

Will Butcher has officially become an unrestricted free agent.

Last season's Hobey Baker Award winner was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, but he has decided not to sign with the club before yesterday's deadline. The 22-year-old had 37 points in 43 contests during his final year at the University of Denver in 2016-17. The Sabres, Devils Golden Knights and Penguins have already been rumored to be in the running for his services.

Source: Mike Chambers on Twitter

Aug 16 - 8:37 AM

Kansas City still on radar for NHL expansion

Kansas City is still on the radar to get an NHL expansion team, according to Bill Daly.

"Kansas City has never been entirely 'off our radar screen,'" NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "We have talked to potentially interested stakeholders in the past, and it's certainly a market that in the right circumstances (including a desire by our board to entertain further expansion) our league would fairly evaluate and consider. In evaluating potential locations for NHL teams, we typically look at three things: One, whether the market has or is building a suitable arena facility; two, the demographics of the market and whether they suggest an ability to support an NHL franchise; and, three, whether there is qualified and interested ownership to own and operate the franchise."

Source: ESPN.com

Aug 15 - 5:38 PM

Shane Prince (ankle surgery) out 4-6 months

Shane Prince will be out anywhere between four to six months after undergoing ankle surgery.

Prince was dealing with a high ankle sprain late in the season. During his rehabilitation in the summer, he felt increasing discomfort and was then told he needed surgery to repair the injury. The 24-year-old had five goals and 18 points in 50 games with the Islanders last season.

Source: NHL.com/Islanders

Aug 14 - 4:49 PM

Tocchet believes Chychrun will play this year

Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet isn't sure when Jakob Chychrun will be able to return from a knee injury, but he expects to be at some point in the 2017-18 season.

"He's just a beast," Tocchet said. "If this happened to somebody else, you might have a guy who's out for the year. I don't know the timeframe (for his recovery), but it's not for the year. It's something that he's going to bounce back (from). He's an animal. It's almost like we've got to crank this kid down a little bit." The Coyotes will update Chychrun's status from knee surgery at training camp.

Source: NHL.com/Coyotes

Aug 13 - 1:38 PM

Former GM, coach Bryan Murray passes away

Former hockey executive and coach Bryan Murray passed away Saturday morning at the age of 74.

Murray was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2014 that spread into his liver and lungs. "Bryan was one of the greatest men that the game of hockey has ever known and also a great father, mentor and teacher," said Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. "We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Geri, daughters, Heide and Brittany and the entire Murray family on their loss." Murray coached for 18 seasons in the NHL, while amassing 620 victories, and worked as the GM for the Red Wings, Panthers, Mighty Ducks and Senators. Our condolences go out to his family and friends for their loss.

Source: TSN.ca

Aug 12 - 1:55 PM

Anders Bjork could make Boston's roster

Anders Bjork admits that the chance to challenge for an NHL roster spot was part of the reason why he turned pro.

"That was definitely a factor," said Bjork, who decided not to return for his senior year with Notre Dame. "[General manager] Don Sweeney told me there is good opportunity here, especially for wingers. That's exciting for me." He shoots from the left side, but is more comfortable at right wing. If he plays on the left then he could have a better chance at landing a spot on the second line because David Pastrnak and David Backes could line up on the right.

Source: Boston Globe

Aug 11 - 5:21 PM

Sedins want to prove themselves this year

Henrik Sedin just wants to focus on this season.

"We think about our future on a regular basis, and we've said we're going to take it year by year now," said Henrik referring to himself and his twin brother, Daniel. "This year, we want to prove we can still play at a high level, and that's up to us to do. And we know that if we do, it'll be easier to answer those questions later in the year. So that's our mindset." He registered just 35 assists last season, which was his fewest in a full NHL campaign since he had 31 in 2003-04. Henrik concluded the year with 50 points in 82 contests. Daniel struggled as well with 15 goals 44 points in 82 games The Sedins want to help Vancouver move up the standings this season, but they'll need to have much better statistical performances to make that happen. Henrik and Daniel will enter the fourth season of their four-year, $28 million contracts in 2017-18.

Source: Tim Campbell for NHL.com

Aug 11 - 12:12 PM

Oilers sign prospect Kailer Yamamoto to ELC

Edmonton has signed 2017 first-round pick Kailer Yamamoto to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Yamamoto was selected 22nd overall back in June. The diminutive forward amassed 42 goals and 99 points in 65 contests for Spokane of the WHL last year. He was also a standout performer at the World Junior Summer Showcase for the United States.

Source: EdmontonOilers.com

Aug 10 - 7:27 PM