Former Bruins forward Glen Murray will undergo ankle surgery on Novemeber 11th which will prevent him from playing hockey this season and could end his career.
Murray had been skating on his own hoping to sign on with an NHL club before he began experiencing ankle issues several weeks ago. The veteran forward originally had ankle surgery last April to fix a bursa sac problem.
I’m told Murray was very close to signing with an NHL club a few weeks ago.
Sources tell me the newest problem is not connected to his previous ankle injury but it is the same ankle he’ll have operated on next month.
Which could present a whole other story here; NHL clubs cannot buyout injured players.
Did the Bruins buyout Murray knowing he was injured?
Murray and his camp would have a difficult time proving this was the case considering the fact that Murray was shopping himself around all summer telling NHL clubs he’s healthy.
Sources close to Murray tell me they are considering filing a grievance in attempt to collect the money owed to him prior to being bought out.
This will be difficult for Murray to accomplish.
A similar situation took place a few years back when New Jersey tried buying out Alexander Mogilny but were unsuccessful because he was hurt at the time.
If this is in fact the end for Murray it’s a shame he was unable to go out on his own terms. This guy had a very nice career and will be remembered one of the top goal scorers of his era.
Weight Hit On Sutter….
I really don’t understand all the fuss regarding the hit Doug Weight put on Carolina rookie Brandon Sutter. It was obviously a clean hit, a mean hit, but a clean one. The bottom line here is you better keep your head up. Weight wasn’t head hunting but obviously took advantage of a player who was picking pennies up off the ice.
I’ll never forget the hit Brandon Sutter laid on the late Alexei Cherepanov during the Russia, Canada Super Series a few summers ago.
Anyone who knows any of the Sutter’s personally understands they made a career by playing hard and rarely if ever did they deny an opportunity to put a devastating hit on an opposing player.
It’s a shame it happened to a young kid with a promising future, everyone in the hockey world is hoping the young Sutter recovers and returns to the ice soon.
If the NHL wants to prevent head injuries then they need to change the rules. It really is that simple. The OHL serves out five minute majors no matter if the hit is legal or not.
Weight didn’t break a rule which really should end the debate.
I had a person who works in the NHL tell me the hit reminded him of the hit Steve Moore put on Marcus Naslund a few years back.
We all know the nightmare that took place shortly thereafter.
Avs Locking Up Stastny?
The Colorado Avalanche have yet to approach All-Star forward Paul Stastny about a contract extension.
I suggest they do so before the season is over.
Stastny is certain to receive an offer sheet this summer if in fact he becomes an RFA.
The St. Louis Blues will almost definitely take a hard look at the St. Louis native. They would have to open the checkbook to make this happen. Sources tell me it would probably take a five year offer worth $40 million dollars to make Colorado think twice about matching the offer.
Blues fans will be following this story closely.
Red Wings To Lock Up Zetterberg?
I recently caught up with Detroit GM Ken Holland who told me the team will try hard to extend All-World forward Henrik Zetterberg sometime during this season.
There is precedent here with the Red Wings organization extending players during the regular season.
The club locked up Pavol Datsyuk in March, Nicklas Lidstrom in November, Daniel Cleary in February and Chris Osgood during the season as well.
Holland was quick to point out that Zetterberg will command a lot of money and may very well choose to test free agency. There is no guarantee that Zetterberg will want to re-sign during the season.
It comes to no surprise that Holland also told me it will be very tough to have both Marian Hossa and Zetterberg back next season.
Injury Notes…..
Panthers forward Bryan McCabe just recently began riding the bike as he continues to recover from a serious bruised back. He suffered on opening night.
Stephen Weiss re-aggravated his groin during warm-ups before the Pantheres were shutout in St. Louis over the weekend.
Kings D-man Jack Johnson (shoulder) is not expected back until after the All-Star break.
Blues Clues!
Blues minority Owner Tom Stillman played a very instrumental part in Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin dropping the puck in St. Louis last Friday.
Stillman is married to the daughter of former Missouri Republican Senator John Danforth and obviously has extremely strong ties to the Republican party.
Palin was scheduled to leave towards the end of the first period but chose to stay until the 2nd intermission.
Chris Mason will start in Goal for St. Louis Thursday night vs. Carolina. Mason is lucky Doctors were able to perform a scope on his ruptured appendix as opposed to cutting into his abdomen. If this were the case Mason would be looking at a 4-6 week rehab.
Manny Legace is hoping to backup Mason on Thursday. If he is unable expect Marek Schwarz to fulfill the backup duties.
Fans should know that Goalie Ben Bishop did not suffer a knee injury Saturday night when he exited the game early. Bishop suffered what we will call a lower body muscle tweak.
Speaking of Bishop, he arrived at Manny Legace's team Halloween party dressed as Michael Phelps. If you take a long look he kind of does resemble the Olympic Swimmer.
Tough Guys Cam Janssen and D.J. King dressed as the figure skaters from the Will Ferrell movie Blades of Glory!
Doug Armstrong took in both games Saturday and Sunday in Peroia to watch the Rivermen. He was joined Sunday by Blues Head Coach Andy Murray.
How long will Keith Tkachuk remain at Center? He centered David Backes and Paul Kariya in Saturday’s victory over Florida. Tkachik has credited his fast start this season to playing on the wing where he is able to conserve energy throughout the game.
Steve Wagner is struggling so far this season and both the Coaches and Management have taken notice. Some of his struggles can be chalked up to the fact that he missed a lot of hockey last season with a broken leg and is still felling his way back.
The Blues are not ready to commit to Alex Pietrangelo for the entire season. He hasn’t played since taking a hard hit from behind back on October 13th in Toronto.
Tuesday (today) was the first time Pietrangelo was scheduled to increase his skating and begin to work his way back into the lineup. He hasn’t been on the ice since last Wednesday and is not expected to play Thursday night.
Jay McKee will be my guest tonight at Johnny Mac’s for my Blues Buzz radio show. The show broadcast live from 6-7 and can be heard on Team 1380 am. Johnny Mac’s is located at 10100 Watson Road ¼ east of Lindberg in Sunset Hills.
Blues Equipment Manger Bert Godin will be on hand sharpening skates during the show and all Warrior hockey equipment will be on sale throughout the day.
The Blues signed 2008 2nd round pick Jake Allen last week just a few days after Detroit locked up goaltender Thomas McCollum who was selected four spots ahead of Allen who will still play one more year in the Quebec after this season. Allen received the exact same deal as McCollum.
The Blues have not approached their other 2nd round selection Philip McCrae about signing him to an entry level deal.
Former Blues firast rounder Ian Cole was recently named CCHA Defenseman of the week for the week ending on October 19th.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
[email protected] 
St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
Join the Discussion:
»