NHL Notes: Connecticut Politicians Making Pitch to Bring Islanders to Hartford

HARTFORD, Conn. – Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin on Friday officially urged the New York Islanders to consider moving to Connecticut's capital city.

The Democrats sent a letter to the National Hockey League team's management, offering Hartford's XL Center as an option for its interim use.

They also suggested the downtown arena could be "a long-term solution to your needs," noting it would be transformed into "today's NHL standards." They pledged to work with "private partners to develop the building you would be proud to call hom" (see full story)."

Bruins: Bergeron listed as day-to-day with lower-body injury
BOSTON – The Boston Bruins are hopeful they won't be missing one of their top scorers when they open a crucial four-game homestand against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

Center Patrice Bergeron didn't practice Friday because of a lower-body injury suffered Wednesday in a 5-3 loss at Washington. Bergeron, who is fifth on the Bruins with 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists), played two more shifts before leaving the game for good.

General manager Don Sweeney classified Bergeron as day to day. Coach Claude Julien wouldn't rule out Bergeron against the Maple Leafs.

Predators: Longtime veteran forward Mike Riberio waived
A person familiar with the situation says the Nashville Predators have waived forward Mike Ribeiro.

The person spoke to The Associated Press Friday on the condition of anonymity because the move hasn't been publicly announced.

Ribeiro, who turns 37 on Feb. 10, has four goals and 21 assists in 46 games this season but lately has been a frequent healthy scratch.

He had 15 goals and 47 assists in 2014-15 during his first season in Nashville and followed that up with seven goals and 43 assists last season.

Ribeiro has 228 goals and 565 assists in 1,074 career games with Montreal (1999-2006), Dallas (2006-12), Washington (2012-13), Phoenix (2013-14) and Nashville (2014-17).