The NHL has invited the Columbus Blue Jackets to open the 2010-11 season in Europe.
"We have been approached by the league, but that's all I can say," GM Scott Howson said. The NHL had four teams open their season in Europe in 2009-10, but the NHL reportedly wants to have six teams play in Europe next season. It is believed that the NHL has also extended an invitation to Minnesota, Carolina, Boston, San Jose and Phoenix.
The Washington Post is reporting that Alex Ovechkin will not be disciplined for his boarding major on Buffalo's Patrick Kaleta on Wednesday.
Ovechkin was lucky with this one as most thought he would get at least a game for hitting Kaleta head first into the boards. Ovechkin cannot get another boarding major and game misconduct for the next half season as another would invoke an automatic one game suspension.
Andrei Markov (torn tendon in leg) is looking to return to the Montreal lineup in early January.
This is a huge surprise as early February was the best estimate early on and it was thought that Markov could be gone for possibly the season. He skated for ten minutes on Thursday and said that he would definitely be playing in the Olympics. That is great news for Markov owners. Grab him now and stash him away if he was released when injured as he is one of the top five offensive defensemen in the NHL when healthy.
Ales Hemsky (upper body) was injured in the second period of Wednesday's game against Los Angeles.
Hemsky was slammed into the end boards from behind by the Kings' Michal Handzus. Handzus received a two-minute minor for roughing for his indiscretion but when Hemsky tried to play on the power play, he quickly left the ice and did not return. Hemsky will be evaluated on Thursday. Stay tuned and consider him day-to-day for now.
J.S. Giguere made 28 saves in Anaheim's 3-2 victory against Carolina Wednesday evening.
The win was Giguere's second of the season and second of the week. He lost the starting job earlier at training camp to Jonas Hiller who has yet to relinquish it. But expect Giguere to get plenty of starts as there are already rumors swirling of him being traded out of Anaheim. Stay tuned.
Miikka Kiprusoff turned aside 27 of the 28 shots he faced in the Flames 2-1 victory against the Coyotes.
Kiprusoff has been playing very strong as of late. This performance followed comments earlier today that he will only play on the Finnish team if he is the starter. He sure made an argument for himself with tonight's performance. He is 13-5-3 thus far this season.
Teemu Selanne had a goal and an assist in the Ducks 3-2 win against the Hurricanes Wednesday night.
Selanne's 12th goal of the season was the eventual game winner. He assisted on Scott Neidermayer's second period power-play goal. Petteri Nokelainen also scored.
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