Afternoon Delight: Aye, Aye Captain

• Matt Murley of the Hurricanes has followed Alexander Radulov’s lead and signed a contract with the KHL while under contract to an NHL team. I’m sure Murley felt that if he couldn’t make the Canes with all their injuries during camp, then he had little chance of making it all season.  Even so, he was under contract and clearly violated the terms of his deal.
• Stars winger Jere Lehtinen (groin) appears to be questionable for Friday’s first regular season game.  The Stars have many big-name players but Lehtinen is undoubtedly one of their most important players.
• Panthers coach Peter DeBoer has decided to hold off on naming a team captain.  Considering DeBoer has been coaching this squad for under a month, this seems like a smart move until he knows exactly who is capable and deserving of the honor of being named captain.
• Speaking of captains, Dustin Brown has been named captain of the Kings.  The Kings are a young team building for the future so may as well let Brown lead the way for the next five plus years.
• Wild defenseman Marek Zidlicky will miss the team’s opener because of an ankle injury.  The Wild has some nice depth on the back-end but that said, they can’t afford Zidlicky to be out for long.
• No deal is near for Brendan Shanahan with the Rangers, writes Steve Zipay.  Shanny’s waiting continues…
• Is Peter Schaeffer lazy?  His former GM Bryan Murray thinks so.  Always love candid comments from NHL GMs.
• Kyle McLaren cleared waivers today. The Sharks will continue to try and deal him.
• Sarah Palin is dropping the puck at the Flyers’ home opener.  If only the Republicans could drop her from the Presidential ticket..
• The Islanders claimed Nate Thomson off waivers from Boston.  Islanders coach Scott Gordon coached him last season in Providence of the AHL.