Report: Todd Nelson to be named head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins

By Dhiren MahibanJun 16, 2015, 10:30 PM EDT
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It appears Todd Nelson has found a landing spot.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Nelson will be the next head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins.

The Detroit Red Wings have been in search of a coach for their AHL affiliate after Jeff Blashill was promoted last week.

Nelson led the Edmonton Oilers to a 17-25-9 record in 42 games during the 2014-15 season.

Edmonton gave Nelson permission to explore other opportunities after hiring Todd McLellan.

Prior to joining the Oilers, Nelson coached the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons to a 161-105-42 between 2010-14.

The 46-year-old reportedly spoke to the Pittsburgh Penguins about their coaching vacancy in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last week.

According to Peter J. Wallner of MLive.com, Nelson was the first player in franchise history to be signed to a contract by the Griffins prior to the 1996-97 season.

Nelson appeared in 236 games with the Griffins as a player over four parts of seasons scoring 11 goals and 56 assists to go along with 123 penalty minutes.

The Griffins are expected to formally introduce Nelson as the club’s head coach at a press conference later this week.

Related: Leafs fill out coaching staff, hire Hiller, Smith and Brewer

Oilers lose Petry and Lander vs. Bruins

By Dhiren MahibanFeb 19, 2015, 12:25 AM EDT
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The Edmonton Oilers will finish tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins without the services of defenseman Jeff Petry and center Anton Lander.

Petry suffered a rib injury after being hit by an Adam McQuaid shot in the second period.

The club announced Lander suffered a shoulder injury in the middle frame.

Petry, who is set to become an unrestricted free-agent after this season, was rumored to be heading out of Edmonton prior to the March 2 trade deadline. The 27-year-old has 15 points in 57 games this season while averaging 21:11 in ice time a night.

Lander, 23, has split this season with the Oilers and AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons. In 21 games with the parent club Lander has four goals and 11 points.

Report: Oilers to return Draisaitl to junior

By Dhiren MahibanJan 1, 2015, 7:30 PM EDT
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The Edmonton Oilers recalled center Anton Lander from the American Hockey League’s Oklahoma City Barons on Thursday night.

According to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector, the club is expected to return center Leon Draisaitl to the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders.

Draisaitl, who has already burned the first year of his entry-level contract, has two goals and nine points in 37 games this season.

The 19-year-old was the third overall pick in last June’s draft.

Lander leads the Barons with 31 points in 29 games this season.

The 23-year-old has appeared in one game with the Oilers this season.

In 95 career NHL games, all with Edmonton, Lander has two goals and eight points.

Oilers waive Joensuu, assign Marincin

By Dhiren MahibanNov 30, 2014, 12:33 PM EDT
15 Comments

The Edmonton Oilers have placed Jesse Joensuu on waivers with the purpose of reassigning the forward to the American Hockey League the club announced Sunday.

Joensuu has two goals and four points to go along with 14 penalty minutes and a minus-8 rating in 20 games with the Oilers this season.

The 27-year-old was a healthy scratch in four of the last six games, but got into the Oilers lineup for Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues as a result of an injury to Matt Hendricks.

In a separate transaction, defenseman Martin Marincin was assigned to the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons.

The Oilers 2010 second-round pick (46th overall) had an assist in 12 games to go along with a minus-4 rating with Edmonton this season.

Marincin, 22, was a healthy scratch in the Oilers last two games.

Edmonton gets back to action on Monday when they play host to the Arizona Coyotes.

PHT Morning Skate: Kesler and Bieksa take it to the streets

By Joe YerdonDec 6, 2012, 8:45 AM EDT
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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.

Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa decided to do things a little different and referee a street hockey game in Vancouver. Any diving calls to be made there? I’m in it for the irony. (Vancouver Sun)

Late-night lockout updates: Things got heated with Ryan Miller getting loud and Jeremy Jacobs wanting to walk out. (Toronto Star)

Michael Grange has the dish on what the NHL and NHLPA worked on late into the night. (Sportsnet)

The KHL handed out their monthly awards and Artem Anisimov and Victor Hedman took home honors. Hopefully they didn’t give Hedman a congratulatory horse dinner. (KHL)

Kudos to the NHL and NHLPA for teaming up to do their part to help out players from the past. (Toronto Star)

Did Gary Bettman help talks along by taking “ego” out of the discussions? (Montreal Gazette)

If the lockout should end soon, the Oklahoma City Barons are going to take it on the chin, roster-wise. (Edmonton Journal)

Today marks Day 82 of the NHL lockout and Tomas Kopecky and Marcus Foligno would like it to end very soon.