David Booth is still having trouble sleeping.
Is it bad that I still have nightmares about torts?
— David Booth (@D_Booth7) July 15, 2016
John Tortorella's first and only season as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks in 2013-14 was Booth's last campaign out west. He had nine goals and 10 assists in 66 games for Torts.
Booth played a season in Toronto before heading about as far away from Tortorella as possible, to the KHL. He had six goals and 10 assists in 23 games with Admiral Vladivostok last season.
There's no word on whether Booth is looking at resuming his career stateside, but if he does, it's safe to say his agent won't be calling the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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Chuck Fletcher is optimistic.
The Minnesota Wild general manager spoke to the Star Tribune's Michael Russo about a number of topics in a piece published Friday, including negotiations with the club's only remaining restricted free agent, defenseman Matt Dumba.
"I don't anticipate any problems," Fletcher said. "Hopefully something gets done here pretty quickly."
Dumba was tendered a qualifying offer, but it's clear both parties are looking at a long-term extension. Rumors at the draft in late June had the Wild talking trade with the Edmonton Oilers, with Dumba and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins the focus of talks.
A first-round pick, seventh overall in 2012, Dumba will turn 22 on July 25. His 10 goals and 16 assists last season were both career highs, along with his 16:50 in average ice time. He had a 47.7 percent Corsi For rating, according to Puckalytics.
Dumba wrapped up his entry-level deal. If he signs long term, he'll join Ryan Suter, Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella, and Jared Spurgeon as blueliners signed through 2020.
Fletcher also said that he's looking at potentially adding another forward to his group, but added that he's not in a big hurry. The GM expects some of the club's young players to challenge for spots on the big club.
"There's no timetable to do anything right now," Fletcher said.
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General manager Don Sweeney is getting a head start on keeping Brad Marchand in Boston.
The Bruins winger is an unrestricted free agent once next season ends, but both sides have begun discussions on a potential contract extension, according to multiple reports.
Sweeney made it clear in June he wants to begin negotiations sooner rather than later, calling the 28-year-old a "big part" of the team.
Marchand showed his importance to the Bruins last season, reaching career highs in goals (37) and points (60).
Entering the final season of his contract, Marchand carries a cap hit of $4.5 million, and based on his spike in production, it's justifiable to believe he'll be receiving a raise.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs signed goaltender Garret Sparks to a one-year, two-way contract Friday, the club announced.
Sparks is a candidate to back up new No. 1 Frederik Andersen after Jonathan Bernier was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional draft pick.
A seventh-round pick in 2011, Sparks made his NHL debut last season and was instrumental in Toronto finishing last in the league and earning the privilege to draft Auston Matthews first overall.
Sparks started 17 games, finishing with a .893 save percentage and 3.02 goals-against average. His tenure began in fine fashion, with Sparks becoming the first goalie in club history to pitch a shutout in his NHL debut, but it fell apart in March and April.
| Month | Starts | Save Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| November | 1 | 1.00 |
| December | 4 | .895 |
| February | 1 | .929 |
| March | 8 | .883 |
| April | 3 | .871 |
Still young at 23, Sparks had a .928 save percentage in 21 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies last season, posting three shutouts.
Sparks will likely start the season on the farm, as head coach Mike Babcock admitted last week that Toronto is looking for a veteran backup to support Andersen.
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It appears the KHL is expanding in all directions.
After locking down expansion to Beijing in December, Georgi Kobylyansky, vice president of the Russian-based league, has reportedly gained permission from the British Ice Hockey Association to bring a team to London.
Including the new team in China, the KHL has 29 teams, spread through seven countries in Europe and Central Asia.
The United Kingdom is home to the Elite Ice Hockey League, which features 10 teams.
Earning permission to expand is the preliminary stage of the process, as no further details have been released at this point.
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The Dallas Stars announced Friday that captain Jamie Benn had surgery Thursday to repair a core muscle injury.
"His full recovery time is expected to be six weeks, putting him on schedule to be ready for the 2016-17 season. Jamie will be re-evaluated after the six-week rehabilitation process, at which time, his availability for the World Cup of Hockey will be determined," Stars general manager Jim Nill said.
It's unknown when the injury was sustained, but the 26-year-old has only missed one game over the past three seasons.
Last season, Benn was a Hart Trophy finalist for the second straight season, racking up a career high 41 goals and 89 points, adding an extra 15 points in 13 playoff contests.
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It's Sidney Crosby's day with the Stanley Cup (and the Conn Smythe trophy), so the Pittsburgh Penguins captain opted to share his hardware with students at his hockey school in his hometown of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.
Sidney Crosby's Hockey School just got even more exciting. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/NYEEO2ddTp
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 15, 2016
Of course, transporting such precious cargo requires the utmost protection:
Safety first. @penguins captain buckles up the #stanleycup heading to Cole Harbour. @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/kUnMVLWg03
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 15, 2016
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