NHL rumors: Latest buzz around trades, coach firings, signings
By Brian Rauf, Chat Sports
We’re almost at the midway point of the NHL season, as we approach the All-Star break, and the contenders have started to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. The Washington Capitals sit atop the Eastern Conference, while the Dallas Stars possess the lead in the West.
Check out the latest NHL news and rumors below.
• The Arizona Coyotes have sent All-Star captain forward John Scott to the minors, reports The Arizona Republic’s Sarah McLellan.
• The Minnesota Wild are interested in trading for Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jonathan Drouin, reports the Star Tribune’s Mike Russo. Tampa is asking for defenseman Matt Dumba in return.
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• New Jersey Devils forward Bobby Farnham has been suspended four games for an interference penalty against the St. Louis Blues, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced.
• Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar is “very close” to signing an eight-year, $80 million extension with the team, reports TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
• The San Jose Sharks announced they have sent forward Raffi Torres to the minors for conditioning. Torres was suspended for the first 41 games of the season for an illegal check to the head of Anaheim Ducks’ winger Jakob Silfverberg during the preseason, and missed all of last season with an ACL injury.
• Florida Panthers television analyst Denis Potvin issued an apology for calling Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin a “lowlife” after he gestured to Florida’s bench after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime.
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• Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin doesn’t plan on breaking Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record, reports the Associated Press’s Stephen Whyno.