Dhiren Mahiban

Report: Paille agrees to PTO with Blackhawks

By Dhiren MahibanSep 14, 2015, 9:00 AM EDT

After spending parts of six seasons with the Boston Bruins, Daniel Paille has accepted a professional tryout offer from the Chicago Blackhawks, according to hockey insider Darren Dreger.

The 31-year-old scored six goals and 13 points while averaging 11:31 of time on ice in 71 games last season.

Paille becomes the second player to be offered a PTO by the Chicago Blackhawks joining defenseman Jan Hejda.

Given the Blackhawks’ current salary cap situation – they have $930,000 of room, according to Generalfanager.com – it’s hard to see Paille earning a contract out of camp.

Originally a first-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres (20th overall in 2002), Paille scored 50 goals and 95 points in 375 games with the Bruins winning a Stanley Cup in 2011.

PHT Morning Skate: Free agency ‘aggravated’ Franson

By Dhiren MahibanSep 14, 2015, 8:00 AM EDT

PHT’s Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what’s happening and what we’ll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.

Buffalo Sabres’ defenseman Cody Franson discussed the free agency process with Yahoo Sports’ Josh Cooper. (Puck Daddy)

Boston Bruins center David Krejci is looking for a bounce back season after injuries limited the 29-year-old to just 47 games last season. (CSNNE.com)

The San Jose Sharks unveiled heritage jerseys for the upcoming season. The jerseys, which will be worn on three dates to celebrate the club’s 25th anniversary, are the jerseys the club originally wore between the 1991 and 1998 season. (San Jose Sharks)

Oilers face quandary over where to play Leon Draisaitl. (Sportsnet)

Beijing hosting 2022 Olympics could affect NHL participation in upcoming Games. (Toronto Star)

Leafs’ Kapanen ‘didn’t expect’ trade

By Dhiren MahibanSep 13, 2015, 9:00 PM EDT

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Kasperi Kapanen discussed his July 1 trade from the Penguins with the Pittsburgh media on Sunday and admitted he was surprised by the move.

Kapanen was a part of the deal, which landed the Penguins Phil Kessel.

“I think it was a shock for everybody,” he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ahead of the Leafs’ prospects game against the Penguins. “I didn’t expect it.”

The 19-year-old was hanging out with friends in his native Finland when he got the news.

“I was just with my buddies, and I saw that my Twitter was exploding,” he said. ”I read some of the tweets and didn’t really think too much about it, but then my agent called me, so I thought something was going on.”

Originally the Penguins’ 2014 first-round selection (22nd overall) Kapanen joined the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League in April and appeared in four regular season games scoring a goal and an assist. He added three goals and two helpers in seven Calder Cup playoff games.

With the trade behind him, the 5-foot-10, 171-pound forward said he has no hard feelings towards the Penguins organization.

“I don’t hate them, or anything like that,“ he said. “Hopefully, I’ll just be a better player now. Their loss.”

Kapanen, a long shot to make the Leafs out of camp, will likely start the season in the AHL with the Marlies.

Orpik (wrist) progressing ahead of schedule

By Dhiren MahibanSep 13, 2015, 7:30 PM EDT

When Brooks Orpik underwent wrist surgery in July, the expectation was that he’d be ready in time for the Caps’ regular season opener on Oct. 10; however, it seems as though the defenseman is ahead of schedule.

Speaking to Alex Prewitt of The Washington Post, Barry Trotz said the veteran blue liner should be available during the club’s seven game preseason schedule.

“He’ll be fine,” Trotz said. “I expect him to play in some exhibition games and be ready to go.”

The 34-year-old had 19 assists and averaged 21:48 of ice time in 78 games with Washington last season.

Capitals invite Roy to camp on PTO

By Dhiren MahibanSep 13, 2015, 6:00 PM EDT

The Washington Capitals have invited center Derek Roy to training camp on a professional tryout.

Roy split the 2014-15 season with the Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers scoring 12 goals and 32 points in 72 games.

With Nicklas Backstrom expected to miss the preseason recovering from hip surgery, Roy could temporarily fill the void. However, it’s hard to see the 32-year-old earning a contract in Washington.

In addition to Backstrom, the Caps have Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jay Beagle, Michael Latta, Liam O’Brien and newcomer Zach Sill down the middle.

On top of the depth at center, Washington has less than $500,000 in salary cap space remaining, according to Generalfanager.com.

If Roy earns a contract with the Capitals, Washington would be his seventh club in five seasons.