Monday, August 3
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- An arbitrator awarded Zherdev a $3.9 million salary for the upcoming season, according to the Journal News. The Rangers have until noon Tuesday to accept the award or allow Zherdev to become an unrestricted free agent.
- It seems very unlikely that the Rangers would accept the arbitrator's decision and keep Zherdev. One possibility is to accept the award and flip Zherdev to another team, though that could be a risky proposition. The most unlikely scenario is Zherdev suiting up with the Blushirts next season.
Sunday, August 2
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- Trade rumors linking Heatley to the Sharks are intensifying, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
- Heatley's refusal to play for the Oilers could be an indication that he's lobbying to join the Sharks instead. He reportedly loves California, although bringing the former 50-goal scorer to the Golden State is anything but a simple process. According to the Mercury News, the Senators declined an offer for Heatley that would have included exit tickets for Sharks forward Jonathan Cheechoo and defenseman Christian Ehrhoff. Still, with two months left on the offseason, the Sharks have time to sweeten a deal if they do, in fact, have a vested interest in Heatley, who will collect $4 million in the 2009-10 season.
Saturday, August 1
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08/01/09 - 10:30AM ETMike Smith
: (Concussion) Back on the Ice Again
- Smith (post-concussion syndrome) was back on the ice this week for the first time since Jan. 30, reports the St. Petersburg Times. He had suffered a concussion in early December 2008 but played through it for nearly two months.
- "Smitty skated this week and did as well as expected being off the ice for six months," Lightning trainer Tommy Mulligan said. "He will continue to progress for the rest of the summer, and we will continue to closely monitor him. Overall, a good first week back on the ice." Smith hit the ice in Toronto with his personal goalie coach and faced shots each day. He has a lot to prove and only a short window before the season to do it. But this is a good first step.
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- Lidstrom is still nursing an elbow injury that flared up periodically last season, the Detroit Free Press reports.
- "I had pain in several places during the finals," Lidstrom said. "Right now, I feel good, but (the) elbow injury has not healed yet." He should be fine once training camp begins, while it's believed that Lidstrom and the Red Wings are going to sit down and begin working on a contract extension in the near future. When asked about the possibility of returning to Sweden or playing in the KHL when his current contract runs out, Lidstrom said that he'll be done with hockey altogether once he's finished in the NHL.
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08/01/09 - 12:31AM ETJiri Hudler
: Update -- Red Wings Say He's Heading to the KHL
- Despite reports that he's staying in North America from Sportsnet.ca, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland closed the door on the possibility of Hudler playing in Detroit this season, MLive.com reports.
- "The story's over. He's going to play in Russia," Holland said. "We're waiting on the terms (of the salary arbitration case) he has to (honor) if and when he returns to the NHL." If you were holding out hope that Hudler was going to play this season, it appears safe to go ahead and remove him from your cheat sheets.
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