Wednesday, 31 October 2012 09:54

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

-Ex-Penguins goaltender Brent Johnson (right) still wants to play.

-NHLers are expected to receive escrow payments today.

-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forwards Keven Veilleux (knee), Jayson Megna ("lower body") and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo ("lower body") are on the verge of returning to the lineup from injuries.

-Dustin Jeffrey had a goal and three assists for Medvescak Zagreb in an 8-4 win against Orli Znojmo in Austria's EBEL.

-The University of Wisconsin will name the rink at the Kohl Center after former Penguins coach "Badger" Bob Johnson.

-Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul has joined Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg of Russia's KHL for the duration of the lockout.

-Lightning defenseman Brendan Mikkelson has joined Västerås of Sweden's Allsvenskan for the duration of the lockout.

-The Blues hired former Penguins defenseman Sergei Zubov as a conultant based in Europe.

-“If he’s willing to cancel that, I don’t know why he’d want to play a season after that, because that’s the highlight of the year. So if he’s willing to throw away that game, then the balance of the season, I would think, is definitely on the line. So it’s terrible if that’s what’s going through his mind.” - Red Wings defenseman Ian White on NHL commissioner Gary Bettman potentially canceling the Winter Classic.

-Oilers forward Taylor Hall was given medical clearance to resume playing. He had been recovering from a shoulder injury suffered last season. He is expected to join the Oilers' AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City.

-Wild forward Devin Setoguchi has joined the Ontario Reign of the ECHL for the duration of the lockout. They are an affiliate of the Kings.

-"I'm realistic. I'll be 40 years old. If there's half a season, maybe somebody will be willing to sign an older player. But I'm not holding my breath. I'm content if I have to retire." - Former Devils/Bruins/Avalanche/Wild/Islanders forward Brian Rolston on the lockout. Rolston is currently a free agent.

(Photo: Johnson-Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)