Rob Blake (upper body) fully practiced in the Sharks' practice Monday.
Blake hasn't played since November 4th due to the injury. However, might be able to return to the Sharks lineup on Friday or Sunday.
According to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, the Mets have "called" on free agent first baseman Russell Branyan.
Branyan, who turns 34 in December, posted a batting line of .251/.347/.520, a career-high 31 home runs and 76 RBI in 2009. He's a nice fit for the Mets, who are seeking a left-handed power hitter and could stick Branyan at first base. That would leave Daniel Murphy in the outfield, unless the Mets decide to upgrade at multiple positions this offseason. For what it's worth, he rejected a one-year offer from the Mariners two weeks ago.
According to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com, free agent first baseman Nick Johnson is "drawing lots of interest" this winter.
Johnson, 31, had the highest 2009 on-base percentage of any hitter on the market this winter and an overall batting line of .291/.426/.405. His agent, Rex Gary, told Stark on Monday that more than six teams have expressed interest. The Mets, Giants and Mariners are likely among those clubs.
Sergei Kostitsyn has been called up to the NHL.
Kostitsyn had 23 points in 56 games in 2008-09, but he started this season in the minors. He initially refused to play for the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs and Montreal suspended him for his actions. However, Kostitsyn eventually agreed to play in the minors and has shined with Hamilton. He scored four goals and 13 points in 16 AHL games this season.
Montreal has sent Guillaume Latendresse to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Benoit Pouliot.
Latendresse looked like he could develop into a decent power forward when he first broke into the NHL in 2006-07. He scored 16 goals and 29 points in his rookie season, but he's never been able to build on that success. If he can find a way onto one of the Wild's top two lines, Latendresse may be able to break out in Minnesota. He's worth keeping an eye on.
Updating a previous item, Lions coach Jim Schwartz admitted Monday that Matthew Stafford (left shoulder) is "unlikely" to play on Thanksgiving Day against the Packers.
Schwartz says tests confirmed that Stafford doesn't have a significant injury and that his non-throwing shoulder is structurally sound, but the short week doesn't give him enough time to prepare. NFL Network's Mike Lombardi and Nick Cotsonika of the Detroit Free Press both report that Stafford is unlikely to play. Daunte Culpepper is on track to make his third start of 2009.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Matthew Stafford (shoulder) is unlikely to play on Thanksgiving against Green Bay.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz will play his QB's status close to the vest, but beat writer Nick Cotsonika says Stafford probably won't be available due to an AC joint separation in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Stafford is coming off the best game of his career -- a 422-yard, five-TD effort against the Browns. Daunte Culpepper starting wouldn't be great news for Calvin Johnson.
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