Updates on Devan Dubnyk, Valeri Nichushkin, plus a list of players on PTO contracts and much more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.
Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk faces heightened expectations in 2015-16.
TWINCITIES.COM: Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk is finally unwinding from his career-changing 2014-15 season, in which he won the Masterton Trophy, was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy and inked a six-year, $26 million contract with the Wild.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubnyk now faces the challenge of following up last season’s unexpected success.
NBC SPORTS: Dallas Stars winger Valeri Nichushkin claims he’s fully recovered from hip surgery which sidelined him for 74 games last season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nichushkin’s absence was among the reasons the Stars missed the playoffs last season. Big things are expected from this promising winger in 2015-16.
CBS SPORTS: Adam Gretz believes Scott Gomez and Devin Setoguchi stand good chances of earning roster spots on their professional tryout contracts. Gomez signed a PTO with the St. Louis Blues, while Setoguchi is trying out with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: General Fanager has a full list of players on PTO contracts.
THE BOSTON GLOBE: The Nashville Predators are among the NHL teams expressing interest in using drones as an “eye in the sky” for video coaching during practice.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: The New York Islanders will be putting up billboards in Brooklyn this week. It’s part of an ad campaign heralding the club’s first season in Barclays Center.