"I've already decided to leave for the NHL," he said. "I was told I could leave if I want. We agreed that they would let me go, but if something across the ocean goes wrong I will immediately go back to them." Nichushkin claims his contract with Dynamo Moscow, who reportedly sent $10 million to Traktor Chelyabinsk to acquire him earlier this month, has been terminated but the club couldn't be reached for comment. Less than three weeks ago, he told reporters in Russia that he would honor the last two years of his KHL contract. Nichushkin is projected to be a top-five level talent for the upcoming draft, but his transfer from Russia is still considered to be a lingering question mark.
Valeri Nichushkin says he'll play in N.A.
Valeri Nichushkin |
(May 22, 2013 1:38 PM EDT)
Valeri Nichushkin told R-Sport Wednesday that he will play in North America if he is selected this June at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
Source:
R-Sport.ru
Brenden Morrow skips optional skate Weds.
Brenden Morrow | PIT
(May 22, 2013 1:26 PM EDT)
Brenden Morrow didn't participate in Pittsburgh's optional game-day skate, so his status for Game 4 is still up in the air.
Several of the team's prominent players, including Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, didn't take part in the session as well. Coach Dan Bylsma also has a policy for these playoffs where he doesn't discuss injuries or his lineup. Morrow left Tuesday's practice early, but it is believed by some that he will still play Wednesday night. He may have just taken the morning off to get some extra rest.
Source:
Dave Molinari on Twitter
Jakub Voracek is 'fine' after crashing car
Jakub Voracek | PHI
(May 22, 2013 1:15 PM EDT)
Jakub Voracek is reportedly OK after wrecking his car in an accident this morning in the Czech Republic.
Philadelphia GM Paul Holmgren released this statement: "I spoke with Jake this morning. He was involved in a car accident in the Czech Republic. Although his car did suffer damage, there were no injuries. Jake is fine." Voracek totaled his Ferrari in the accident, but it's a relief that he wasn't hurt.
Source:
Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News
Cory Conacher likely to sit Wednesday
Cory Conacher | OTT
(May 22, 2013 1:08 PM EDT)
Cory Conacher is likely to be scratched by the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night when they host Pittsburgh in Game 4.
He posted a minus-1 rating and had no shots in 13:22 of ice time in Sunday's double-overtime victory. It is expected that Mark Stone will take his place in the lineup.
Source:
Ottawa Citizen
Senators to dress Mark Stone in Game 4
Mark Stone | OTT
(May 22, 2013 1:02 PM EDT)
Mark Stone is expected to make his 2013 playoff debut in Game 4 Wednesday night.
He had one assist in one game with the Senators last year during the postseason and skated in four matches with the team in the regular season. Stone is slated to play alongside Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek against the Penguins.
Source:
Ottawa Citizen
Braden Holtby emerged as a stable goalie
Braden Holtby | WAS
(May 22, 2013 12:57 PM EDT)
Braden Holtby didn't let a shaky start to the 2013 campaign derail his confidence and at the end of the year he emerged as a solid option between the pipes and the team's undisputed starter.
He posted a 23-12-1 record, a 2.58 goals-against average, a .920 save percentage and four shutouts in 36 games. "If you're not improving every year, you're doing something wrong," said Holtby. "It was nice to get sort of a full season in, and every little experience can help if you use it the right way." He brought some stability to Washington's crease for the first time in a while and will likely be given the number one job again heading into next season.
Source:
Washington Post
RFA Marcus Johansson should get a raise
Marcus Johansson | WAS
(May 22, 2013 12:46 PM EDT)
Marcus Johansson will need a new contract this summer.
He is a pending restricted free agent and is coming off his entry-level deal. He skated alongside Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on Washington's top line for most of the season and coach Adam Oates praised Johansson's play down the stretch. He should get a nice bump in salary, but he'll probably have to prove himself further before he earns a substantial contract.
Source:
Washington Post
Karl Alzner set to become a RFA
Karl Alzner | WAS
(May 22, 2013 12:38 PM EDT)
Karl Alzner is a restricted free agent this summer.
He made $1.27 million last season and carried a cap hit of $1,285,000. The steady, 24-year-old defenseman will no doubt be getting a raise and given his importance to the team it will probably be a long-term deal.
Source:
Washington Post
Paul Martin is playing superb hockey
Paul Martin | PIT
(May 22, 2013 12:16 PM EDT)
Paul Martin posted a game-high eight blocked shots in Sunday's double overtime loss to Ottawa.
Martin broke his left hand blocking a shot in March, but that won't stop him from getting in front of chances for the opposition. "You don't think about getting hurt this time of year," Martin said. "You just play your game. You're in a zone. You know these games can come down to one little play. If you don't get a piece of the puck or you don't let [Tomas] Vokoun see it and you end up losing the game, you feel awful. You do everything you can to help the team win." Martin has been great for the Penguins this season and he's carried over that play into the playoffs, where he has nine points and a plus-8 rating in nine games. He is also currently third in the postseason with 26 blocks.
Source:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Nate Thompson thrilled to earn bronze medal
Nate Thompson | TB
(May 22, 2013 12:06 PM EDT)
Nate Thompson was thrilled to win a bronze medal with Team USA at the IIHF World Championship.
He called it "a once in a lifetime experience I will never forget." It was his first medal and second time he has competed for the United States at the tournament. "It was awesome," he said. "With the group of guys we had an how young we were, I don't think anyone would have picked us to do that. We had a pretty resilient group." Thompson generated a goal, three points and a plus-1 rating in 10 games.
Source:
St. Petersburg Times