News and notes from around the NHL this evening:
- Gregory Campbell passed through unconditional waivers today and the Columbus Blue Jackets immediately terminated his contract, reports the Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline. Campbell is now an unrestricted free agent able to sign with any team that expresses interest. Campbell initially refused to accept reassignment earlier in the season so the Blue Jackets suspended him without pay. It is thought that a team has finally expressed interest in Campbell, prompting Campbell’s agent to ask the team to place him on waivers.
- Staying with Columbus, the Blue Jackets’ Head Coach John Tortorella won his 500th career game behind the bench today when his team beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in overtime. He becomes the first American-born coach to reach the 500-win milestone. Tortorella must be relishing this moment after having a tumultuous start to the season. He joined the Blue Jackets after leading the U.S team to a disappointing 0-3 record in the World Cup of Hockey, before losing his first two games with Columbus. Despite that, however, Tortorella has turned the Blue Jackets into a team that has won nine straight. The team sits 3rd in the Metropolitan Division, but only one point away from league-leading Pittsburgh with three games in hand.
- Artemi Panarin moves closer to unlocking his Schedule B bonus and costing the Chicago Blackhawks an additional $1.75MM. Panarin’s ELC outlines that the Blackhawks will pay him an additional $1.75MM if he finishes in the top-10 for goals, assists, points, or points-per-game—or wins a major NHL award. He scored two points tonight (1G and 1A) to put him comfortable within the top-10 in both goals and assists. Should he reach his bonus target, the Blackhawks will have to shoulder any salary cap overage next season.