Rozsival joins Frolik in Czech Republic
Defenseman Michal Rozsival has become the second Blackhawks player to sign overseas during the NHL lockout.
Rozsival apparently will be joining Plzen of the Czech Extraliga, according to Czech media reports Tuesday. Winger Michael Frolik was the first Hawks player to sign in Europe, signing with Chomutov of the Czech Extraliga last week.
Like Frolik, Rozsival is from the Czech Republic. He’s from Vlasim, which is about two hours away from Plzen.
Rozsival, 34, signed a oneyear, $2 million deal with the Hawks on Sept. 11. He had one goal, 13 points and a plus-8 rating in 54 regularseason games last season with the Phoenix Coyotes.
The NHL and the NHL Players Association, meanwhile, are scheduled to hold their first formal negotiations since the lockout began Friday in New York. Core economic issues, including the sharing of hockey-related revenue, have stalled talks but aren’t on the agenda.
Instead, the league and the union will look at other issues, including contract lengths, salary arbitration, travel, insurance, scheduling and discipline.
Coffman to start for Indiana
Indiana coach Kevin Wilson said Cameron Coffman will start at quarterback in the team’s game Saturday at Northwestern. Coffman left the Hoosiers’ last game — Sept. 15 against Ball State — with a hip pointer, but Wilson said he took advantage of Indiana’s week off to recover.
Nadal might miss Aussie
Rafael Nadal said he has no timetable for his return from a partially torn patellar tendon in his left knee, and the 11-time Grand Slam champion isn’t sure whether he’ll play in the Australian Open in January. Nadal hasn’t played since losing in the second round of Wimbledon.