Thursday LNN: Boston's Net Dilemma, Laine's Tough Start and More
Thursday's Edition of the Links, News and Notes
- Did the Boston Bruins gift us Linus Ullmark too soon? Their gamble on securing their star goaltender Jeremy Swayman is turning out to have been a risky one. With just seven days until the season opener, negotiations between Swayman and the team remain at an impasse. Bruins GM Cam Neely may have complicated matters further by going public with a supposed offer that Swayman’s agent quickly disputed, leaving a significant gap between both parties. Guess Boston is going to be rolling out our old friend Joonas Korpisalo.
- While the Bruins try to comfort their fans that things will get done with Swayman soon, they seem to be a bit desperate as they seek some insurance in net. The Boston Bruins claimed goaltender Jiri Patera off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks. Again, good luck with that!
- The Montreal Canadiens were very excited to get Patrik Laine this summer and deservingly so. Laine could have potentially changed their entire offensive look and added some much-needed support to their young core. Unfortunately, they won't be able to see his impact until the next 2-3 months as he will be out with a sprained knee after being injured by Cedric Pare, and then subsequently “avenged” by Sens nemesis Arber Xhekaj in a pre-season game Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- Canada's largest hockey company has been bought by Nordic-based private equity, Altor for the grand amount of $600 million. CCM's operations are expected to remain the same and based out of Montreal but it will be interesting to see what kind of changes Altor has in mind for the stalwart of the sport.
- While Sens fans got a scare over our three star players (Tkachuk, Stützle, and Chabot) all leaving the game early on Tuesday, Steve Staois would like us all to breathe as all three are (mostly) just fine.
- The Montreal Canadiens, you'll be surprised to learn, believe that Xhekaj did nothing wrong on Tuesday. For whatever else, the line "His intentions are pure." is very funny.
- NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has expressed a strong desire to extend the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) ahead of its expiration. In addition, Bettman also revealed that the salary cap could increase by as much as $4.5 million next season. Will the salary landscape around the league be shifting soon?
- Over at ESPN, Greg Wyshynski has a nicepiece on players he expects to break out this year. Ottawa's own Jake Sanderson gets a nod here.
