5 story lines to watch in training camp
NHL training camps don't open until today, and already the Minnesota Wild are reporting a significant injury.
Goaltender Josh Harding suffered a broken right foot and is out indefinitely, meaning the Wild are picking up where they left off last season when they had a revolving door in net because of injuries and illnesses.
With all 30 teams set to open camps, here are five story lines worth following:
1. Backstrom back on top? Although Harding doesn't need surgery, no timetable has been given for his return.
Meanwhile, Wild restricted free agent Darcy Kuemper remains unsigned. Given the Wild's turmoil in net last season, the team presumably is displeased that Kuemper's negotiations haven't gone smoothly.
What that means for the time being is veteran Niklas Backstrom, 36, is the Wild's most important goalie again. He was limited to 21 games last season because of an abdominal injury and a concussion and had a 3.02 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.
The Wild followed their Harding announcement by saying they were inviting Ilya Bryzgalov to camp on a professional tryout contract.
He had been acquired in March after Harding (complications from multiple sclerosis) and Backstrom were sidelined, but the Wild didn't re-sign him this summer.
2. Blue Jackets star not in camp: The Columbus Blue Jackets are more excited about their team than at any point during franchise history, but they are going to open camp without their top goal scorer and points leader from last season.
Ryan Johansen, who had 33 goals and 63 points, and the Blue Jackets are far apart on working out a new contract.
Blue Jackets President John Davidson revealed Wednesday that the team had made Johansen separate offers of $6 million over two years, $32 million over six years and $46 million over eight years.
3. Bruins have salary cap woes: The Boston Bruins, already over the salary cap limit, still must sign forward Reilly Smith and defenseman Torey Krug.
According to Capgeek.com, the Bruins are roughly $800,000 over the limit. They will get relief from Marc Savard's $4.03 million cap hit because he will be on long-term disabled list with a concussion. But even with that cap relief, there isn't enough for both Smith and Krug.
The Bruins likely will move a defenseman before the season. A logical player is Johnny Boychuk, because he has a $3.36 million cap hit and will be an unrestricted free agent next season.
4. Key unsigned players: Forward Jaden Schwartz was the St. Louis Blues' third-leading goal scorer last season with 25.
Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis is unsigned, and the Dallas Stars need to get center Cody Eakin and defenseman Brenden Dillon under contract.
5. Babcock headed to free agency? Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland is scheduled to talk with coach Mike Babcock about a new contract.
If the two don't get a deal done before opening night, they won't talk during the season.
Neither Holland nor Babcock seems particularly concerned about it. But Babcock will be a very hot commodity in the coaching market if he does become a free agent next summer.
In Paste BN Sports' survey of 28 high-level players, 13 listed Babcock as the NHL's top coach. He has won a Stanley Cup and two Olympic gold medals.