While earlier reports have suggested that the Pittsburgh Penguins have focused on two candidates for their open general manager position in Los Angeles Kings’ Ron Hextall and Montreal Canadiens’ Scott Mellanby, another candidate, New York Rangers’ assistant general manager Chris Drury had become a longshot due to the belief that the New York Rangers wouldn’t be granted to interview with the Penguins.
However, New York Post’s Larry Brooks writes that the Rangers would not stand in the way of Drury becoming a general manager, although as of Saturday afternoon, there had been no such request from Pittsburgh. The 44-year-old Drury has become one of the most sought-after assistant general managers in the league and the scribe believes that the Rangers are well aware that they will lose Drury to a GM opportunity sooner than later.
- The New Jersey Devils are playing without forward Kyle Palmieri who was a late scratch today as the team announced that he will not play due to a COVID-related absence. Palmieri, who played Saturday, joins a growing list of Devils that is starting to give New Jersey more of an AHL than NHL look. The team is still without Mackenzie Blackwood, Connor Carrick, Aaron Dell, Travis Zajac and Sami Vatanen, although The Athletic’s Corey Masisak reports that Vatanen has finally arrived in Newark and could be ready to go soon.
- The New York Rangers are expected to be without forward Colin Blackwell for seven to 10 days due to an upper-body injury, according to The Athletic’s Rick Carpiniello. Despite playing bottom-six minutes for New York so far this year, Blackwell has been productive, posting a goal and two assists in four games. The 27-year-old winger signed with the Rangers during the offseason after appearing in 27 games for Nashville last year.
- The Washington Capitals had an optional practice Sunday with Alex Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov on the ice to get their legs back in after sitting out due to COVID-19 protocols. Both played Saturday, but in limited minutes. However, Lars Eller continued to skate after suffering an upper-body injury Thursday, according to the Washington Post’s Samantha Pell. He, however, remains in a non-contact jersey.
I have to say that the lines the last four games have been rather interesting. Going forward i think the caps will benefit from players skating with new and in most cases, young new players. Sprong looks like he has so potential. the fourth line centered by Oshie 2 games ago was interesting but I really liked the Vrana/Sgarbossa/Sprong line last night despite the first regulation loss.