NHL Breeze: Aug.19, Evening Edition

NHL Breeze: Aug.19, Evening Edition

To begin the day, I just want to wish a Happy Birthday to you!

Also Happy birthdays to:

1.       Taylor Pyatt, 29, Phoenix Coyotes

2.       Steve Ott, 28, Dallas Stars

3.       As well as NHL execs: Darryl Sutter, 52, Calgary Flames, Don Waddell, 52, Atlanta Thrashers

Today’s NHL news and notes:

-          Viktor Tikhonov of Coyotes will return to the NHL this season, but he has requested a trade.

-          Doug Armstrong recently had phone conversations with Bill Sweatt, trying to attract him to Blues.

-          Expect numerous rule changes to the NHL this coming season after a comprehensive and in-depth experiment that  is happening this week. Icing among the key issues.

-          UFA defenseman Freddy Meyer signs a 2-way deal with the Atlanta Thrashers. The Sanbornville, New Hampshire product played 64 games with the New York Islanders last season averaging 16:46 t.o.i per game. Great bargain for the Thrashers.

-          Florida Panthers matched the Thrashers move by signing tough guy LW Andrew Peters to a 1-year deal today.

-          Steve Nash’s brother-in-law and Canucks newcomer Manny Malhotra said GM Mike Gillis and coach Alain Vigneault expects him to play both the wing and centre on the Canucks this season.

-          Manny Malhotra in Vancouver to settle down in his new hometown.

From moments ago:

-          Paul McCarty, the former Beatle enters the Consol Energy Center opening ceremony.

-          Taylor Swift, the country music star, starred a Nashville Predators commercial last year. In case you missed it. Here on Predators NHL network.

-          The National Hockey League is still investigating the 4 big long-term contracts. Just a scare, don’t worry.

-          Vancouver Canucks are not keeping Kevin Bieksa according to Dobber’s hockey Jeff Angus. I agree with Angus’s assessments. Bieksa is going to play in another uniform sooner or later regardless of Salo, Mitchell or O’Brien’s status.

-          Canucks young defenseman, Alex Edler, who hurt his ankle in the Chicago playoff series, stated, “"I had the cast on for five weeks and was on crutches for three, but after that it's been feeling good," he said. "No pain or anything."”