Bryce Salvador

After about two or three weeks away from the Bleacher Report, I have decided to come back (at least for now).

Sheldon Souray has cleared waivers but he can still be placed on re-entry waivers. If and when that happens the Columbus Blue Jackets and believe it or not the New York Rangers could put a claim on him.

We are getting close to the date of no return, where all NHL teams are required to be under the mandated salary cap of $59.4 million.  With GM Lou Lamoriello not indicating what he may do to get his team under the cap, we are all left to wonder what he will eventually do.  The Devils currently have 19 players on their roster, and are already $2,245,832 over the cap (before bonuses are factored in.

Mark Everson of the New York Post reports that Bryce Salvador underwent inner ear testing after being knocked out of a preseason game. Lou Lamoriello does not expect him out for long so no chance he hits the LTIR.

Adrian Dater of the Denver Post reports that Salvadore could be out with an ear infection (best case scenario) to possibly a concussion (worst case scenario).

Multiple reports are suggesting Marc Staal and the Rangers are very close on a contract extension. Some say the deal could get done tonight.

My take: The sooner this gets done the faster both sides can move on and get ready for the season.

Bill Guerin is still skating with the Flyers. Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly.com is reporting that if Bill Guerin would accept a tryout, the Flyers might bite and give him one.

My take: I think Bill Guerin would be a great fit in Philly; however, if he wanted to play there, he would have to accept $1 million or less.

According to multiple media outlets, the Dallas Stars are not shopping Mike Ribeiro.

The deal that seemingly took forever, is now complete.  Ilya Kovalchuk is now signed to be a New Jersey Devil for the next 15 years. It only took the National Hockey League and Players Association to change the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement to make it happen, but there's no need to relive the whole saga.  Devils fans can celebrate knowing they will have Kovalchuk around to watch and admire his unique s

New Jersey Devils

The Devils finally signed Kovalchuk. Their number one priority is now out of the way. Now the Devils must shed some salary to fit Kovalchuk's contract. The Devils are $3 million over the cap. This means that the Devils will most likely need to move $4-6 million of salary before the season commences.

Now that the New Jersey Devils officially own the rights to Ilya Kovalchuk, they are approximately $3 million over the cap. The Devils will now have to go the trade route to shed some salary.

The most likely trade candidates appear to be Bryce Salvador, Colin White, Brian Rolston, and Dainius Zubrus.

According to TSN, ESPN, and pretty much every other media outlet out there, the NHL will approve the Ilya Kovalchuk contract, which means for the first time this offseason, Kovalchuk is officially a member of an NHL team.

Matthew Barry of Hockeybuzz.com is reporting that the Edmonton Oilers are shopping Dustin Penner. He also notes that the LA Kings are interested.

My take: I personally think Penner would be a great fit in LA as he is the big bodied top-six forward they are looking for.

Pure speculation here but if Penner is available, you would have to believe that the Maple Leafs would express interest in some way, shape or form.