SKA makes Kovalchuk a healthy scratch again

By Joey AlfieriMar 14, 2016, 9:47 AM EDT

Associated Press

It’s becoming increasingly clear that there’s a rift between the SKA Saint Petersburg coaching staff and Ilya Kovalchuk. In the first round of the KHL playoffs, Kovalchuk was stripped of his captaincy and he was made a healthy scratch in Games 2 through 5.

SKA allowed him to return to the lineup for Game 1 of their second round series. He didn’t record a point in the first three games and again he was removed from the lineup ahead of Game 4. Without him, SKA turned in a dominant performance against Dynamo.

Kovalchuk has one year remaining on his contract, but it looks like his time with SKA might really be over.

2 things obvious so far in Kovalchuk/SKA saga: 1) Plenty of mutual resentment between him and coach, 2) He isn't missed by the team. At all.

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) March 13, 2016

Kovalchuk options, most to least likely: 1) New KHL team, 2) Find way to stay at SKA, 3) Petition NHL for return, 4) Retire/political career

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) March 13, 2016

At this point, I'd put the chances of SKA's terminating Kovalchuk's deal at slightly above 50%. Immediate NHL comeback still unlikely, but..

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) March 13, 2016

—Kovalchuk makes surprise return to KHL playoffs

Senators goaltender Cam Talbot out 5-7 weeks with injury

Associated PressOct 4, 2022, 12:45 PM EDT

Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

OTTAWA, Ontario — Ottawa Senators goaltender Cam Talbot is expected to be out five to seven weeks with what the team called an upper-body injury.

The Senators initially called Talbot day to day with what they hoped was a minor injury. Instead he’s now expected to miss at least the first month of the NHL season.

Ottawa claimed goalie Magnus Hellberg off waivers from the Seattle Kraken upon announcing Talbot’s expected absence. Hellberg, who played for Sweden at the Beijing Olympics could split time with countryman Anton Forsberg while Talbot is out.

The Senators acquired Talbot from Minnesota during the offseason to make him their starter after the Wild opted against bringing him back along with Marc-Andre Fleury. Talbot, 35, had a 2.76 goals-against average and .911 save percentage this season.

Losing Talbot is a blow to the Senators, who also acquired winger Alex DeBrincat from Chicago and signed longtime Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux as part of a move toward contending and ending their playoff drought.

Blackhawks’ Boris Katchouk sidelined by ankle sprain

Associated PressOct 2, 2022, 10:12 PM EDT

Harry How/Getty Images

CHICAGO — Blackhawks forward Boris Katchouk will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a left ankle sprain, the team announced.

The 24-year-old Katchouk played almost 12 minutes during a 3-0 preseason loss to Detroit on Saturday night. He was acquired in a multiplayer trade with Tampa Bay in March.

The Blackhawks open the season on Oct. 12 at Colorado.

The team also said forward Jujhar Khaira is day to day with a right ankle injury.

Ducks’ Urho Vaakanainen crashes into boards, leaves on stretcher

Associated PressOct 1, 2022, 4:23 PM EDT

Getty Images

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ducks defenseman Urho Vaakanainen was taken off the Honda Center ice on a stretcher after he crashed into the end boards in the first period of Anaheim’s preseason game against the San Jose Sharks.

The Finnish defenseman was conscious and alert with full movement in his extremities at UCI Medical Center, the Ducks said.

The frightening incident occurred midway through the opening period when Vaakanainen smashed into the boards at a dangerous speed behind the Sharks’ net. Vaakanainen appeared to be concentrating on the pass he had just made to Derek Grant, who scored the Ducks’ opening goal on the assist.

Vaakanainen’s teammates came onto the ice and gathered around him as he was taken away on the stretcher.

The Ducks acquired the 23-year-old Vaakanainen from Boston last March in the deal that sent longtime Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm to the Bruins. After recording two assists in 14 games for the Ducks last season, Vaakanainen is attempting to win a top-six role on Anaheim’s defense this fall.

Lightning donate $2 million to Hurricane Ian relief efforts

Associated PressSep 30, 2022, 11:37 PM EDT

Scott Audette/Getty Images

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning and team owner Jeff Vinik are donating $2 million toward Hurricane Ian relief efforts.

The NHL team announced that $1 million each will be donated by the Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation and the Vinik Family Foundation.

“This is a tragic situation for many families and communities across the state of Florida, but especially so in the southwest region of the state,” Vinik said in a statement released by the team. “In times like these the most important thing we can do is support one another, and we hope this donation will help families recover and rebuild in the months to come.”

Ian made landfall Wednesday on Florida’s Gulf Coast, south of the Tampa Bay area. The Lightning postponed two home preseason games and moved the club’s training camp to Nashville, Tennessee, during the storm.