NHL | John Tavares (back) sits out practice Friday

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John Tavares (back) sits out practice Friday

John Tavares is dealing with a lower back issue, so he didn't skate Friday.

He's being listed as day-to-day, but he still could be available for Saturday's match against the New Jersey Devils. Stay tuned for updates.

Source: Arthur Staple on Twitter

Fri, Dec 27, 2013 02:46:00 PM

A. Svechnikov separates himself from the pack

Andrei Svechnikov has apparently separated himself from the rest of the field eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft.

"If you want to know the truth," one scout said, "Svechnikov may be closer to [Rasmus] Dahlin for No. 1 than the rest of the field is to Svechnikov." Bob McKenzie's TSN Final Draft Rankings has Svechnikov as the consensus No. 2 prospect.

Source: TSN.ca

Jun 18 - 5:43 PM

Capitals announce Barry Trotz has resigned

Barry Trotz has decided to step down as coach of the Washington Capitals.

"Barry Trotz informed the organization today of his decision to resign as head coach of the Washington Capitals," said the team in a statement. "We are obviously disappointed by Barry's decision, but would like to thank Barry for all his efforts the past four years and for helping bring the Stanley Cup to Washington. Barry is a man of high character and integrity and we are grateful for his leadership and for all that he has done for our franchise." Trotz has been the head coach of the Capitals for the last four seasons and he helped guide the team to a Stanley Cup championship in his final year behind the bench of the club. An automatic two-year extension activated when he won the Cup, but the value of the deal was below market value. Trotz and the Capitals reportedly couldn't come to terms on an extension and he will be granted permission to speak to other organizations as a free agent following his resignation.

Source: WashingtonCaps.com

Jun 18 - 3:03 PM

Zach Werenski will be 'healthy' for next year

Zach Werenski (shoulder) is still expected to be healthy for next season.

Werenski underwent shoulder surgery in early May after he played hurt for at least half of the year. He was given a five-to-six month timetable for his recovery, so if he isn't ready for the start of the campaign then he should available shortly afterward. "He played with a brace that he could hardly move with and tried to shoot with that brace. When your arm moves, like, this much, it's pretty hard, battling for loose pucks in the corner," said Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen. "It affects everything, and he didn't ever complain or use it as an excuse. He just kept playing through it and playing through it, and now he'll be healthy for next year."

Source: BlueJackets.com

Jun 18 - 1:30 PM

Jesperi Kotkaniemi's draft stock is rising

Jesperi Kotkaniemi is attracting plenty of attention going into the 2018 NHL Draft as a potential top-five pick.

"Here's a guy who has been playing the whole season with men and against men and has played extremely well," NHL director of European scouting Goran Stubb said. "He has improved his skating. His skating was always OK, but he's improved and this is a guy with a guy with a very special understanding of the game. He makes very intelligent decisions on the ice. He can shoot, pass, score and is a very nice young man too." The 17-year-old center posted 10 goals and 29 points in 57 games for Assat in Finland's Liiga last season. He could be an option for the Montreal Canadiens at No. 3.

Source: Joe Yerdon for NHL.com

Jun 17 - 6:21 PM

Pens prospect Jordy Bellerive injured in fire

Jordy Bellerive was injured in a fire attending a bachelor party on Saturday.

Bellerive was signed as an undrafted free agent in September and rewarded the Penguins with 46 goals and 92 points in 71 games with Lethbridge of the WHL this past season. Bellerive was injured along with a couple of others and more information will be known on Sunday. Apparently one of the three players was in critical condition but the name was not released. Stay tuned.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Jun 17 - 8:25 AM

Galchenyuk set to get another crack at center

Alex Galchenyuk said he is very excited about the prospect of playing center with the Arizona Coyotes.

"The second I went on social media and read the comments about me playing center, that’s what I want and I’m excited about it." said Galchenyuk. "I’m preparing already for it and I can’t wait to get started." If he's able to get his career back on track as a center with the Coyotes, it will be another tough pill to swallow for the Canadiens. Galchenyuk added during his conference call that he asked head coach Claude Julien for a chance to play center towards the end of the season, but that his wish never came to fruition. Galchenyuk may start the season as the number two center for Arizona between Christian Fischer and Brendan Perlini.

Source: Craig Morgan on Twitter

Jun 16 - 3:19 PM

Miller and Tampa likely to talk at NHL Draft

Contract talks between J.T. Miller and the Tampa Bay Lightning are not expected to begin until next week at the NHL Entry Draft.

J.T. Miller has arbitration rights and is not expected to sign a qualifying offer. After being acquired by Tampa at the trade deadline, the 25-year-old forward picked up 10 goals and 18 points in 19 games. We wouldn't be surprised to see him ink a two-year bridge deal.

Source: Joe Smith on Twitter

Jun 16 - 1:08 PM

Canadiens sign Max Domi to two-year deal

The Montreal Canadiens have signed Max Domi to a two-year, $6.3 million contract.

That works out to an annual average value of $3.15 million. The Canadiens acquired Domi from the Arizona Coyotes for Alex Galchenyuk on Friday night and they wasted no time signing their new acquisition. The 23-year-old had nine goals (four empty-netters) and 45 points in 82 games last season. A change of scenery could do him some good.

Source: NHL.com/Canadiens

Jun 16 - 11:16 AM

Report: Habs nearing extension with Max Domi

The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly close to inking restricted free agent Max Domi to a contract extension.

The Canadiens acquired Domi from Arizona for Alex Galchenyuk just a few minutes ago, so it's no surprise that they're working hard to get their new acquisition locked into an extension. The 23-year-old had nine goals and 45 points in 82 games with the 'Yotes last season. The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun says it's entirely possible that Domi could be on the verge of a signing a two-year bridge deal.

Source: Pierre LeBrun on Twitter

Jun 15 - 10:04 PM

Coyotes acquire Alex Galchenyuk from Habs

The Arizona Coyotes have acquired Alex Galchenyuk from the Montreal Canadiens for Max Domi.

There's been plenty of trade talk surrounding Galchenyuk over the last year. The 24-year-old showed flashes of offensive brilliance during his time in Montreal, but he never developed into the top line center the Canadiens needed. Since scoring 30 goals in 2015-16, Galchenyuk has found the back of the net 17 times (in 61 games) and 19 times last season. "Alex is a skilled, productive forward who has scored 30 goals in this league," Coyotes GM John Chayka said. "We’re excited to add another elite young player to our core group moving forward." It'll be interesting to see how he ends up performing now that he's no longer playing in the pressure cooker that is Montreal. Even though the Canadiens didn't think Galchenyuk was good enough defensively to play center, the Coyotes could give him a look there. He has two years remaining on his contract that comes with a cap hit of $4.9 million.

Source: Arizona Coyotes on Twitter

Jun 15 - 9:41 PM

Canadiens acquire Max Domi from Coyotes

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired Max Domi from the Arizona Coyotes for Alex Galchenyuk.

This is a significant deal that came out of nowhere. Domi is coming off a season that saw him put up nine goals and 45 points in 82 games on a bad Arizona team, but there's certainly more offensive upside in his game. The 23-year-old is scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1st, so the Canadiens will have to work out a new deal with him this off-season. Domi will get an opportunity to play on Montreal's top two lines this season. He'll be a bounce-back candidate next season if the Canadiens can find him a real center to play with.

Source: Arizona Coyotes on Twitter

Jun 15 - 9:39 PM