MiHockey’s Ben Fleck with you on this Thursday morning.
Quick hits
Yesterday we mentioned that the Red Wings were in the hunt to sign free-agent defensemen Justin Schultz. As of this morning, the Red Wings are out after Schultz told them they are no longer on his list of teams.
The Plymouth Whalers have been busy – they drafted two Swedish defensemen, Ludvig Bystrom and Simon Karlsson, in the CHL Import Draft. They followed that up by trading for defenseman Connor Carrick – a University of Michigan commit. And they have also announced their 2012-13 schedule.
The Calgary Flames acquired the rights and then signed defenseman Dennis Wideman to a five-year contract worth $26.25 million dollars.
Highlight reel
Hopefully you’ve seen this video making the digital rounds by now, but if you haven’t…this is worth the watch.
Outside the Mitten
The NHLPA finished their annual executive board meetings on Wednesday. Labor negotiations between the NHLPA and the NHL could begin by the end of the week.
The Carolina Hurricanes wasted little time getting their NHL Draft prospects on the ice. Just days after the draft, Carolina held its first on-ice session in Raleigh, N.C.
Ken Hitchcock will remain with St. Louis through the 2013-14 season, after he agreed to a contract extension with the Blues.
Check it out
With free agency right around the corner, here is a preview of the Central Division and each team’s needs.
Next up
Check back with us tomorrow for more hockey news.