Earlier in the week, commissioner Gary Bettman said a full 82-game season would be possible if an agreement is reached by Oct. 25, although that possibility appears unlikely with no substantive progress made toward brokering a new deal.
Noteworthy *
Edmonton Oilers forward Ben Eager was charged with assault following a disturbance in a Toronto bar last weekend. He is to appear in court Nov. 26. Police say Eager, 28, and his 31-year-old brother Michael Eager have been charged with threatening bodily harm, causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon.
Toronto police said one man was taken to the hospital. The alleged assault happened at about 1 a.m. Saturday.
The 6-2, 240-pound Eager, who played for the Phantoms and Flyers from 2003-07, has 2 years left on a $3.3 million contract.
* "There is no comeback in the foreseeable future" for Boston Bruins center Marc Savard, according to an ESPN.com report.
Savard, 35, who is under contract with the Bruins through the 2016-17 season, tweeted Monday that he is not making progress dealing with post-concussion symptoms. He hasn't played hockey since January 2011. He tweeted that while working out with his trainer, he "felt like crap but I need to do it." He indicated he was hopeful - but not necessarily optimistic - about playing hockey again.
Savard's battle with postconcussion syndrome began following a blindside hit from Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke on March 7, 2010.
