Snapshots: Marchand, Kings, Fleury, Flyers

Speaking with reporters this morning including Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic (Twitter link), Panthers winger Brad Marchand stated that had he not re-signed with Florida before free agency started, the Maple Leafs were the other team he was considering signing with.  Johnston went on to add in a piece for The Athletic (subscription link) that Toronto is believed to have passed up on a chance to acquire someone in June to ensure they’d have the cap space to try to sign the 37-year-old.  While there was an expectation that Florida couldn’t afford to keep him, he ultimately re-signed on a six-year, $31.5MM pact.  Marchand, who exited tonight’s game in Toronto early, had a very strong first half of the season, picking up 23 goals and 23 assists in 40 games, putting him on pace for more than 90 points, a mark he has only reached once.

Elsewhere around the NHL:

• Kings center Anze Kopitar (lower body) and winger Joel Armia (upper body) are listed as day-to-day, per Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider (Twitter link). The injuries were sustained in Monday’s game against Minnesota.  Kopitar has 21 points in 37 games in his final season while Armia has 16 points in 41 outings in his first season with them after coming over from Montreal in free agency.  If one of them can’t play on Wednesday against San Jose, they do have an open roster spot available.
• The Jets announced (Twitter link) that defenseman Haydn Fleury was transported to hospital by ambulance following a hit from Vegas winger Keegan Kolesar. He was fully alert and moving his extremities at the time.  The team is expected to provide a further update when more information becomes available.
• Despite a strong night on the scoreboard, it was a tough night on the injury front for the Flyers. The team announced (Twitter links) that winger Bobby Brink (upper body) and defenseman Jamie Drysdale left with injuries and did not return.  Brink was injured on a hit from Jansen Harkins while Drysdale was injured by Ross Johnston, who was ejected for his hit on the play.  There were no updates on either player after the game.