Daily Roundup: A Kris Russell extension, Todd Bertuzzi apologies to media and more

Credit: Jerome Miron

Mar 3, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Corey Perry (10) and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Kris Russell (4) dive for the loose puck during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to Daily Faceoff’s daily NHL roundup where we bring you the NHL’s most important news and rumours every day.

Oilers working on Kris Russell extension

The Edmonton Oilers appear to be working on a contract extension, according to the Nation Network’s salary cap resource PuckPedia.

Hearing that the #LetsGoOilers are working towards an extension with 33 y/o LD Kris Russell.

He's in Year 4/4 of $4M Cap Hit Deal. With an extension, he would meet #Oilers requirement for a D to expose in expansion.

-9P in 55GPhttps://t.co/OGeMCl5Pro

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) October 21, 2020

Russell has been overpaid as a third-pairing defenceman, but could have value if he was paid properly in the $1-million range. He’s been nothing short of a warrior blocking shots and killing penalties, while his xGA numbers have been fairly solid.

Todd Bertuzzi apologies to media

Todd Bertuzzi has apologised for the way he acted towards media in the Vancouver market as a player. He joined Sportsnet 650’s Starting Lineup Tuesday, where the former power forward spoke about what happened:

“I was too hard, I told you guys, ‘Sorry if I was a douche, man,'” Bertuzzi said. “It’s true, I wasn’t very co-operative at times because I wasn’t ready for that stuff. I didn’t want to speak every day. I was paid to go play hockey and entertain fans not to have stuff written in the paper. I could care less what was written in the paper, the stories that you guys needed. I just wanted to go play hockey and entertain fans, that’s all I wanted to do.”

The spotlight was put directly on Bertuzzi after his 2004 sucker punch of Steve Moore that ended his NHL career. It brought criminal charges and a civil lawsuit.

Seven teams granted longer training camps

The NHL has granted seven teams extended training camps ahead of next season. The league and the NHLPA have tentatively come to an agreement allowing the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, LA Kings, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on Insider Trading.

GM’s from the clubs reportedly involved a request for a minimum of two extra weeks for training camps.

All seven of those clubs weren’t involved in the league’s 24-team return to play tournament that kicked off over the summer and saw the Tampa Bay Lightning hoisting the cup popping the NHL bubble.

Ilya Mikhayev re-signs with Leafs

Just to follow up on a note from yesterday’s Daily Roundup, Ilya Mikheyev has inked a two-year extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had been heading to arbitration, but has since inked a new deal with an AAV of $1.645-million.

Exceptional WHL player playing in Sweden

Months after Connor Bedard was granted exceptional status into the WHL and got drafted 1st overall by the league’s Regina Pats, he’s now off to Sweden.

The prospect, who is eligible for the 2023 NHL draft, will dress for HV71 J20 in the J20 Nationell league when the clubs met against Farjestad today.

At 15 years old, he’s already making other players look silly on the Swedish ice.

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