My Sports News Digest

Seeing who gets the call to get a chance to make a team via tryout is one of the rites of the fall when it comes to the NHL. Sometimes you’ll see an old goalie get the nod, other times it’s a guy trying comeback from injury. For the New York Islanders, they’re giving a former New Jersey Devil a shot to make a comeback in the league this time around. Former Devils defensive forward specialist Jay Pandolfo is getting an invitation to Islanders camp where he’ll get a tryout and try to join up with former Devils teammate Brian [...]

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Wade Belak’s tragic death has created debate and discussion throughout the hockey world. From seeing other former players come out and put pressure on the NHL and NHLPA to do things to better assist players to the league and the union saying they’ll team up to start improving things, it’s been a terrible summer for the league and for those who care for its players. As for what ailed Wade Belak, who’s believed to have committed suicide, his mother says that he suffered silently with the same issue that addled Rick Rypien: Depression. James Mirtle from The Globe & Mail [...]

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For many in the hockey world, Dustin Byfuglien’s legal troubles were shocking in more ways than one. Joe couldn’t help but poke fun at Byfuglien’s stunning weight of 286 lbs., calling him “The Jumbo Jet.” (May I also submit a far less creative nickname of “really Big Byuglien”?) Others might be surprised that there’s such thing as a boating while intoxicated (BWI) charge. All snarkiness aside, the situation might provide some legitimate problems beyond possibly embarrassing Byfuglien into consulting Gary Roberts for dieting tips. The most recent reports indicate that it’s still unclear if Byuglien will actually be charged with [...]

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With all of the Alexander Semin bashing lately, at least one of the Capitals’ Russian snipers is having a good offseason. Rumors broke this afternoon that Alexander Ovechkin was signing an endorsement deal with Nike. Originally, it was thought that Ovechkin’s news conference schedule for Tuesday was to announce the endorsement deal—but now it looks like the press conference is unrelated to tonight’s news. The Washington Post’s Tarik El-Bashir confirmed the news with Ovechkin’s agent, David Abrutyn on Thursday evening: “I can confirm that Alex has signed a long-term global partnership with Nike. Alex is going to be supporting all [...]

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A handful of smaller moves are taking note here today. Listen up for all your roster obsessing needs. Chicago signs Brandon Segal to one-year deal Brandon Segal spent last season with the Dallas Stars organization playing in 46 games in Dallas scoring five goals and adding five assists. In 30 games in the AHL with the Texas Stars, Segal tallied seven goals and ten assists. He’s a speedy rough and tumble sort of forward who can drive the net hard and dig in the corners. He’ll try to land a job in Chicago out of training camp, but he might [...]

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The difference between a one-way contract and a two-way deal may seem inconsequential to fans following their favorite teams and their offseason moves. After all, what does it matter? Who was signed? How long is the contract and what is the cap hit? If it’s a big time signing (or a Calgary Flames signing), maybe ask if there’s a no-trade clause included on the contract. Aside from those narrowly focused talking points, everything else is just legal speak in a legal contract. For young players, there’s another aspect to a contract that can make or break a deal: the two-way [...]

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In the NFL, teams will often pick up free agents from division rivals in hopes of getting some precious bits of intelligence about their opponents. When it comes to the NHL, it seems like reporters can squeeze some interesting comments about a team once a player no longer wears that sweater. At least, that’s the way it seems with two former Washington Capitals. Earlier this month, we passed along Matt Bradley’s candid comments about his former team. To give you a quick synopsis, Bradley claimed that mercurial winger Alexander Semin ‘just doesn’t care,’ riffed on coach Bruce Boudreau’s tendency to [...]

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We’ve seen most free agent goalies find their way this summer save for a pair of guys. Marty Turco and Pascal Leclaire are the two NHL-experienced guys we haven’t seen land a new job around the league and while a guy like Ray Emery gets a shot to win a spot with the Blackhawks, both Turco and Leclaire are left wondering what’s going on. While Turco’s case is a bit more curious given that he’s healthy and able to play, Leclaire’s free agency is a bit more perilous. Leclaire’s season came to an end last year thanks to an injured [...]

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