Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Sunday news update: Kaberle, Komisarek to be bought out; trade rumors; Bergeron/Toews' statuses

06/24/2013 at 2:10am EDT

Paul and I decided to take an educated guess and take Sunday evening slowly, but the news cycle has gone a little batty of late, so here's a very brief update as to what transpired while we were away from the computer:

1. TSN reports that the Montreal Canadiens will buy out Tomas Kaberle and the $4.25 million remaining on his contract as their second and last cap complaince buy-out;

2. TSN's Darren Dreger also reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs will use one of their cap compliance buy-outs on Mike Komisarek, who's owed $3.5 million;

3. In the trade rumor department, Sportsnet noted that Josh Rimer believes that the Toronto Maple Leafs may attempt to acquire Sam Gagner, Pro Hockey Talk's' Joe Yerdon noted that the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Michael Russo suggests that the Wild are kicking the tires on Marc-Andre Fleury, and here are a boatload of rumor-related Tweets:

The aforementioned Rimer tossed off some trade rumors, too...

And TSN's Bob McKenzie focused on coaching news:


As for updates regarding the status of Jonathan Toews and Patrice Bergeron, ESPN Chicago's Scott Powers offers us an "optimistic" take on Toews...

Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Sunday he was optimistic that Jonathan Toews would play in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals after the star center sat out the third period of Game 5 due to an upper-body injury.

Toews hit his head on the ice after taking a hit from Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk late in the second period in Game 5 on Saturday. Toews sat on the bench in the third period, but he did not play.

Game 6 will be in Boston on Monday. The Blackhawks own a 3-2 series lead after defeating the Bruins, 3-1, in Game 5.

"Johnny is doing much better [Sunday,]" Quenneville said at TD Garden. "He's progressing. We're optimistic he'll play [Monday] night."

And the Bruins website's Caryn Switaj offers the official take on Bergeron:

The Bruins flew back to Boston Sunday in preparation for a do-or-die Game Six Monday night at TD Garden - and Patrice Bergeron was with the team.

According to B's Head Coach Claude Julien, the alternate captain is "day-to-day," meaning he could be a possibility to play Monday night against Chicago.

"Day-to-day is really good news to me, anyways," said Julien, before gesturing to media spanned out in front of him during his off-day press conference. "Should be to you guys."

After only playing two short shifts in the second period of Saturday night's Game 5, 3-1 loss to the Hawks, Bergeron did not play for the rest of the game Saturday night and was transported to a local hospital for observation. He was discharged that night, before flying with his teammates. Specifics of the injury are respectfully staying under wraps.

But, according to his teammate Brad Marchand, Bergeron seemed well on the team flight back.

"Yeah, he’s good. He came back with us and everything, so hopefully he can play tomorrow," said Bergeron's usual left winger. "Obviously, he’s a big part of the team and hopefully he can play tomorrow."

Quennevillie's official preser transcript reads as follows regarding Toews...

Q. Coach, if there's an update on Jonathan and as far as the Boychuk hit on him, your thoughts?

COACH QUENNEVILLE: Johnny is doing much better today. He's progressed. We're optimistic that he might be playing tomorrow night.

Q. If I can follow up, what did you think of the hit? Was it clean or questionable?

COACH QUENNEVILLE: There wasn't a penalty on the play, and it was one of those hits in a tight area in front of the net. You can be vulnerable in that area, a big hit. The first part of contact you could talk about, but I'm not going to go there.

And Julien's exchange is amusing:

Q. Claude, any update at all on Patrice?

COACH JULIEN: Yes. He's day-to-day. Well, isn't that good enough? Day-to-day.

Q. Upper or lower --

COACH JULIEN: Body injury.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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