NHL: Player News and Rumors (Thread finished)

Report: No wrist surgery for Zetterberg
TSN.ca Staff
8/12/2006 10:11:01 AM

It appears Henrik Zetterberg has avoided surgery on his injured left wrist.

According to reports out of Detroit, the Red Wings' sniper was examined and the news was good. Doctors did not find any structural damage which means surgery should not be necessary. Zetterberg should be healthy by the end of month, two weeks before training camp opens in mid-September.

"At this stage, surgery isn't planned and it's not necessary," Red Wings' general manager Ken Holland told the Detroit News. "The report I've got is that it's just some inflammation and the prognosis is good. We're optimistic he'll be fine and can resume his normal training soon."

Zetterberg was bothered by the wrist injury last season and the pain flared up during workouts with his former club in Sweden last week. Before flying home next week, he is expected to receive a cortisone shot to combat the inflammation on Monday.

Last week, a Swedish newspaper had reported that Zetterberg could possibly miss the start of the regular season if surgery was needed to repair the wrist.

Zetterberg is coming off a career year with 39 goals and 85 points and will be relied upon heravily in the absence of retired captain Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan, who signed with the New York Rangers.
 

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Report: Canucks to re-sign Linden
TSN.ca Staff
8/12/2006 12:52:38 PM

It looks like Trevor Linden will return to the Vancouver Canucks next year.

According to a report in the Vancouver Sun, Canucks general manager Dave Nonis will re-sign Linden when he returns from vacation next week.

Linden scored seven goals and dished out nine assists with a +3 rating in 82 games with the Canucks last year. In 1243 career NHL games with the Canucks, Capitals, Canadiens and Islanders Linden has amassed 356 goals and 474 assists.
 

Report: Malkin leaves Russian club
TSN.ca Staff
8/12/2006 4:34:54 PM

It appears the future of Evgeni Malkin has taken another bizarre twist.

According to Reuters, the Russian news agency Itar-Tass is reporting that Malkin has left his Russian club Metallurg Magnitogorsk during training camp in Finland.

Malkin, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins second overall in 2004 behind Alexander Ovechkin, reportedly disappeared, taking his belongings and passport with him. Earlier this week, the Russian star reworked his two-year contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk and agreed to a new one-year deal.

Malkin has made no secret of his wishes to play with the Penguins in the National Hockey League. But the Russian Ice Hockey Federation has yet to sign a transfer deal with the NHL and Malkin has found himself in the middle of the impasse.

The previous transfer agreement would have seen Metallurg Magnitogorsk receive just $200,000 in exchange for Malkin.

There has been no shortage of drama since Malkin decided to stay in Russia last season. J.P. Barry has confirmed to TSN that he and Pat Brisson have taken over the hockey management side of IMG, whom Malkin fired in June, and Malkin has left Don Meehan and returned to be represented by Barry and Brisson.

"His wish is to play in the NHL, and in Pittsburgh," Barry told the AP. "We will continue to talk to him about his future, and we will decide the best course for him at this time."

A premier offensive talent, Malkin led Magnitogork with 47 points in 46 games last season. The 6-foot-3 pivot was expected, along with phenom Sidney Crosby, to give the Penguins an elite one-two punch down the middle.
 

Metallurg to seek compensation for Malkin
TSN.ca Staff
8/13/2006 11:16:24 AM

With star player Evgeni Malkin absent without leave, his Russian team will reportedly look for compensation through the courts.

According to Reuters, Russian Superleague hockey club Metallurg Magnitogorsk will go through the legal route to get compensation for the loss of Malkin.

"The players, coaching staff are very upset because for four days Malkin was training with the team and suddenly he is gone without saying a word to anyone," club head Gennady Velichkin told Reuters on Sunday.

Malkin, who was drafted second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2004, was with the team in Finland for training camp when he disappeared with his belongings and passport on Saturday.

The 20-year-old Russian player had signed a deal with Metallurg Magnitogorsk that would have kept him in Russia until April 2008. However last week, he signed a new one-year deal with the team that would allow him to become a free agent and suit up with the Penguins in 2007-08.

Velichkin accused Malkin's agents and the Penguins of stealing his star player, who has made it clear that he wants to play in the NHL.

"His wish is to play in the NHL, and in Pittsburgh," Malkin's agent J.P. Barry said. "We will continue to talk to him about his future, and we will decide the best course for him at this time."
 


Atlanta interested in Vishnevski?
TheFourthPeriod.com
August 13, 2006

The Anaheim Ducks continue to shop defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski after an arbitrator awarded him a $1.55 million salary, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

While the 26-year-old blueliner has yet to be moved, the Thrashers are supposedly interested in acquiring him, according to the paper.

Vishnevski recorded one goal, seven assists and 91 penalty minutes in 82 games with the Ducks in 2005-06.

In 416 career games with Anaheim, Vishnevski has accumulated 11 goals, 37 assists and 403 penalty minutes.
 

Gagne, Flyers nearing new deal?
TheFourthPeriod.com
August 13, 2006

The Flyers have less than $5 million to sign restricted free agent Simon Gagne, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Citing a source familiar with the negotiations, the Inquirer claims Gagne is on the verge of receiving a deal that averages about $5.4 million per season for what is believed to be a multi-year agreement.

Yesterday, the Philadelphia Daily News reported that Flyers GM Bob Clarke was optimistic a deal would be reached, while Gagne's agent, Bob Sauve, did not share that same feeling.

"We spoke last week and we spoke this week, but [talks] are not moving," Sauve told the Daily News. "We're still talking and there is some time, but there is a gap. I can't say I'm confident right now."
 

Red Wings sign free agent Johnson
TSN.ca Staff
8/14/2006 10:15:31 AM

Sources tell TSN the Detroit Red Wings have signed centre Greg Johnson for a second stint with the NHL club.

Johnson, who was an unrestricted free agent, scored 11 goals and 19 points in 68 games with the Nashville Predators last season and is expected to fill a role as Detroit's fourth line centre.

Johnson spent the last seven seasons in Nashville and also played with the Red Wings from 1993 to 1997.
 

Hurricanes season ticket sales up 60%
Associated Press
8/14/2006 2:34:35 PM

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Season-ticket sales for the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes are up about 60 per cent over last year, general manager Jim Rutherford said Monday.

The boost may help relieve worries about whether the team can succeed in a small market where college basketball is king.

''I think it's really special to this market because we're relatively new here, we're continuing to try and grow the sport,'' Rutherford said. ''You really can't explain to people what the Stanley Cup playoffs are about. You really have to be there in person.''

Rutherford said the increase includes a combination of both full- and partial-season ticket sales, but declined to elaborate because ticket-sale numbers were not immediately available.

He said playing for two Stanley Cups in four years and winning one has given the Hurricanes a stamp of legitimacy. Carolina in 2002 reached the Cup finals, where the Hurricanes lost to the Detroit Red Wings.

''It's the ultimate goal in hockey, it's the prize that everybody works for and I don't think it matters where you win it - it means a lot to that market,'' Rutherford said.
 

Rangers' Ortmeyer has pulmonary embolism
Canadian Press
8/14/2006 2:54:55 PM

NEW YORK (CP) - New York Rangers right-winger Jed Ortmeyer has been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, the team said Monday in a statement.

Ortmeyer, 27, is set to undergo further testing this week and will be out of action indefinitely.

The six-foot, 190-pound forward had five goals and two assists in 78 games with the Rangers last season. He also led the team with 75 blocked shots.

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of an artery in the lungs, most commonly caused by a blood clot. It can lead to severe illness or death if left untreated.
 

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