NHL Roundup: Latest on Eichel; Kane; injuries; signings; and Rangers to name a captain
The NHL rang the bell on the 2021-22 season as a majority of teams held media day. GM’s, coaches, and players from around the league spoke to reporters as experts mulled over training camp rosters.
Here’s some of the key news tidbits to catch up on.
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NHL Roundup: Eichel could be stripped of “C”
Reports are surfacing that Jack Eichel is expected to fail his physical and be sent home. What remains to be determined is what medical path the two sides will land on. There is still a possibility of a trade prior to that decision, but it seems unlikely given that no team will pay a high price without knowing if the procedure will be successful.
The relationship between the two sides is irreparable. No matter how this plays out, no one can see Eichel coming back to play for the Sabres. Is it possible that the C will be taken off his sweater? One top NHL Insider thinks so.
This is what I’m expecting over the next few days: Eichel comes to camp, but does not pass his physical and is not cleared to play. I also think there’s a very good chance Buffalo removes his captaincy. What I don’t know is if they’ve settled the medical path.
Elliotte Friedman, 32 Thoughts
Evander Kane will not be at Sharks camp
The NHL concluded its investigation into Evander Kane’s gambling allegations. The probe determined that “no evidence” was found and the matter is now closed.
Although the probe cleared him of gambling on hockey games, new allegations brought up by his estranged wife are being looked into. The San Jose Sharks released a statement late yesterday indicating that in light of the probe, Kane will not be at training camp.
“The San Jose Sharks are aware of additional allegations that are unrelated to the National Hockey League’s investigation into Evander Kane,” it reads. “We take these allegations very seriously and have been in communication with the NHL.”
“The Sharks and Evander Kane have agreed that he will not be participating in the Sharks 2021 Training Camp until further notice.”
Tyler Bertuzzi will not play in Canada
Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman expects Tyler Bertuzzi to miss all nine of the Red Wings’ games in Canada this season because the forward has declined to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Yzerman said Bertuzzi is the lone unvaccinated player on the Red Wings, who play their first road game in Montreal on Oct. 23.
“It’s his decision,” Yzerman said Wednesday. “I am not in a position to force anyone. We can’t force anyone to get vaccinated. I personally am vaccinated, my family is vaccinated. I’ll leave it at that.”
Gerard Gallant says Rangers will name a captain
New head coach Gerard Gallant met with the media yesterday and was asked about the Rangers naming a captain. His comments were pretty definitive. “I don’t know for sure what’s going to happen, but if I was a betting man, I think we will have a captain on day one” he said.
“Day one of the NHL regular season,” he clarified further. “And it could be before that, we’ll see. If I was a betting man, we’ll have a captain.”
When asked to expand on what he’s looking for, Gallant went back to his mantra of it being all about the 23 men on the team.
“Captains are important to your team, but 23 guys are more important for me,” he said. “Whoever gets the C on our team isn’t going to be alone. We need everybody to be a leader.”
NHL Injury news
- Arizona Coyotes announced Phil Kessel will be out 2-3 weeks with an injured foot.
- Oilers said goalie Alex Stalock will miss the season due to COVID related heart issue.
- Oilers also said Duncan Keith will miss start of camp to quarantine after second COVID shot.
- Avalanche announced Devon Toews to miss start of season after shoulder surgery.
NHL Signings
- Sabres signed Rasmus Dahlin to a 3-year deal worth $18M
- Kings signed Cal Petersen to a 3-year deal worth $15M
- Wild signed Kirill Kaprizov to a 5-year deal worth $45M
-Field Level Media contributed to this report
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