NHL Roundup: Price yet to skate; Kane says he’ll be cleared; Tkachuk and Sens close to new deal
The NHL is getting ramped up to begin the 2021-22 campaign. Here are some of the big storylines so far this week.
Carey Price, 34, had knee surgery on July 23 in New York, following the Canadiens’ run to the Stanley Cup Final. In a Q&A with NHL.com and with Dave Stubbs, he provided an update.
“I had a torn meniscus, they had to go in there and clean that up.” Price explained. “I’ve been playing with that for a little while now. We wanted to take care of it and now I’m just trying to get back to health again.”
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NHL: Price starting season on time in doubt
As the Habs #1 goalie continues to rehabilitate his knee, Price notes that he has yet to begin skating.
“I feel pretty good. I haven’t skated yet. I’m just doing my rehab and making sure that I’m ready,” he revealed. “With any type of rehabilitation, you’re never quite sure how long it’s going to take. It’s a process that you take day by day. We’re talking about trying it out soon, but you’ve got to make sure you’re ready to go when the time is right.”
While Price is doing mostly gym work before hitting the ice, the Habs’ doctors and trainers want to ensure that they minimize any risk of him re-injuring himself.
The Canadiens hope he will be ready to start the season, but will not rush him. Jake Allen will get the bulk of the work while he is out.
Evander Kane says he will be cleared
San Jose Sharks star Evander Kane reiterated that he has never gambled on hockey and said he’s confident he’ll be exonerated by the NHL.
Kane made the comments in an interview with ESPN that aired Thursday.
Kane became the focus of a league investigation after his estranged wife, Anna Kane, took to social media on July 31 and accused him of “throwing games to win money.”
“Obviously (the accusations are) incredibly false. It’s unfortunate that transpired, and it’s unfortunate that those false allegations were made,” Kane told ESPN. “I understood the magnitude of them immediately. I know (they’re) not true. I know none of what she was saying was true. I was very confident, comfortable with knowing that I was going to be exonerated and am going to be exonerated of those allegations.”
Front Office Sports reported Sept. 8 that the NHL’s investigation into the allegations had stalled. To that point, outside investigators had been unable to interview Anna Kane, per the report. She filed for divorce in July.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN on Wednesday that he expects a resolution soon.
Senators and Brady Tkachuk close to long-term deal
TSN’s Gord Miller is reporting that the Ottawa Senators and RFA forward, Brady Tkachuk are nearing a long-term deal.
“I think Tkachuk in Ottawa will get done pretty quickly,” he said on TSN690. “From what I understand they are close to getting something done there…I think it’s a long deal.”
Miller’s report comes off the heels of both Elliotte Friedman and Bruce Garrioch stating that the goal for both sides has been to work out a long-term deal. Although, a bridge deal was an option to fall back on so he could be in camp.
The expectation is that Tkachuk will be getting something similar to what Thomas Chabot received. Back in 2019, the Sens’ top defenseman signed an 8 year deal worth $8 million per season.
It’s believed the Senators have tabled an offer of an eight-year deal worth $8 million per season and there have been several talks between the two sides that are continuing. Dorion has often stated that a deal can be done with one phone call and there’s still time for both sides to find common ground.
Ottawa Sun
Cap relief for COVID suspended players
The NHL released its new COVID protocols for the 2021-22 season which allows for the suspension of unvaccinated players with some exceptions.
Any players that are unable to participate in club activities due to COVID can be suspended, which would include travel preventing them from playing. Those players would “forfeit the equivalent of one day’s pay for each day”; as the protocol states.
Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly was doing media this week and confirmed that those suspended players will not be charged against the cap during that time.
“There is no cap charge associated with players who are suspended without pay,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an emailed response to a query about whether new COVID-19 protocols came with cap relief measures.
The Province
Additionally, Daly noted that 98% of the players are vaccinated and hopes the remaining will be also.
-Field Level Media contributed to this report
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