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WEDNESDAY’S LATEST NHL BUZZ

— The Grand jury investigation into rape allegations against Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane has been delayed and may never happen, the Buffalo News reported on Tuesday.

The paper reported financial settlement talks are on-going between attorneys for both Kane and the alleged victim.

“They have been in settlement discussions and both say they want their day in court, but both have vacillated from time to time and also said: Let’s just resolve it,” a source told the paper.


steven-stamkos— Aside from Kane who even with a settlement being reached, could still face criminal charges, though, unlikely if the alleged victim doesn’t want to go forward, one of the biggest stories going into the NHL season is Steven Stamkos future in Tampa Bay.

Stars like Stamkos don’t make it to the free agent market but this situation may go there as some feelings have been hurt.

Sabres GM Tim Murray is known for trying to pull off some crazy trades and word out of the Sabres organization is Murray approached the Lightning around the draft about acquiring Stamkos and Ryan Callahan, and while the No. 2 overall pick was never offered, some believe if things would have got serious, Murray would have pulled off the risky blockbuster with No. 2 being involved.


kings_dark_logo_svgzv=7— Super agent Pat Brisson last summer negotiated the long-term extensions for both Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, securing identical 8 year, $84 million contracts for Toews, Kane. In those talks Brisson is said to have went into negotiations seeking $12 million a year for Kane, Toews, with both sides eventually settling on a cap hit of $10.5 million.

For the Los Angeles Kings they’ve been met with the same type of demands in talks for Anze Kopitar, another Brisson client. A deal will eventually get done here but it’s taking some time. The Kings are believed to be offering Kopitar just south of $9 million per season.


nyi— A team that has made a late charge into the mix for Cody Franson who remains unsigned is the New York Islanders, though, the Sabres remain the most likely landing spot.

The Islanders are looking to add a right handed defenseman and are also talking to Marek Zidlicky.


Washington Capitals— The St. Louis Blues have concerns about David Backes body breaking down over the next couple years, which has Backes future in St. Louis up in the air. In the last year of his deal, the Blues don’t have the stomach to dish out Ryan Kesler type money to Backes.

NHL execs say Backes was shopped to Eastern Conference teams this summer and almost became a Capital.

“Washington and St. Louis talked a bigger trade [prior to Oshie trade],” an Eastern Conference exec said. “You think missing piece and David would be it [for Washington],” the exec said.


pit— The Penguins are not totally comfortable with Jeff Zatkoff as their No. 2 netminder this season and had spoken To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!