Truth & Rumors > NHL

03:23 PM ET 05.23 | With the development of Brad Richards' status as a healthy scratch has come increased speculation about the chances of him receiving a compliance buyout this summer. The Rangers already used an accelerated buyout on defenseman Wade Redden prior to the 2013 season. This leaves the team with one buyout remaining, which they can use this summer or next. Richards will be entering the third year of a nine-year deal next season, that carries an annual average value of $6.6 million per year. Regardless of the salary cap dropping next season, it might be in the team's interest to get rid of the contract. Whether they do so remains to be seen.

New York Rangers Team Site

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03:19 PM ET 05.23 | New York Rangers forward Brad Richards confirmed that he is a healthy scratch for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. Richards told reporters after morning skate that head coach John Tortorella had called him earlier that morning to inform him of the decision. Richards has struggled in 2013 and only has one goal in 10 playoff games. In addition, his ice-time had been cut and he was demoted to the fourth line. Now, he finds himself in the press box for an elimination game.

New York Rangers Team Site

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03:06 PM ET 05.23 | USA Hockey has decided not to bring back Brian Burke as the general manager of Team USA for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, according to a report by Greg Brady on Thursday morning. Brady has learned from sources that USA Hockey is interested in hiring a general manager currently in the NHL. Burke was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to the start of the 2013 regular season and is currently employed as a part-time scout for the Anaheim Ducks. Many believe Nashville Predators general manager David Poile, Dean Lombardi of the Los Angeles Kings and Ray Shero of the Pittsburgh Penguins are the favorite for the position.

Puck Daddy

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02:55 PM ET 05.23 | The Columbus Blue Jackets and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky are no closer to a contract extension, according to general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. Kekalainen confirms the two sides haven't made any progress as of late. However, the general manager made it clear the team plans on working out a deal with the Vezina Finalist. While he doesn't think it will get to this point, Kekalainen stated that the club will match any potential offer sheet that Bobrovsky might receive. Of course, he would have to get to July 5 without a new contract from the Blue jackets to field such offers. It doesn't sound as though the Blue Jackets plan to have that happen.

Columbus Dispatch

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02:49 PM ET 05.23 | In light of the Ottawa Senators disappointing performance in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinal on Thursday night, questions have begun picking up about the future of captain Daniel Alfredsson. Obviously, Alfredsson is nearing the end of his career. With the end of every Senators' season, comes the potential that Alfredsson will have played his last game. After he admitted it was unlikely the team would rebound from the 3-1 series hole they face, media members began questioning whether Game 4 might have been his final game at Scotiabank Place. Alfredsson down played the situation, as any player would. However, it's clear these questions will only continue to pick up once the Senators close out the year.

Sportsnet

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