Capitals assigned Nylander to AHL

Caps General Manager George McPhee announced last weekend that the Washington Capitals have sent center Michael Nylander to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.

Nylander has played 920 career NHL games for the Capitals, New York Rangers, Boston, Chicago, Tampa Bay, Calgary and Hartford. He has not played an NHL game in the nhl jersey this season.

Defenseman Del Zotto becomes October's top rookie

New York Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto was named the NHL's Rookie of October after posting 12 points in 14 games. Del Zotto scored 4 goals and had 8 assists to lead all rookies in scoring for the first month in the new york rangers jersey. He was selected by the Rangers with the 20th pick in the 2008 Entry Draft, scoring his first goal in only his second game. He added a goal and an assist two days later.

"Forget about his skill and all the points he's put on the board, but it's the way he handles himself," Rangers coach John Tortorella said. "I don't think he's afraid to make mistakes so it allows him to try to make a difference. That's pretty unique for a 19-year-old guy playing the toughest position in the game."

Gaborik will not play against Islanders

The New York Rangers will be playing Wednesday's game against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum without their top star, Marian Gaborik, who left Monday's 5-2 win over Phoenix after a collision with Coyotes forward Petr Prucha. He also leads the team in his new york rangers jersey with 18 points in 12 games.

"He won't be playing tonight," Rangers coach John Tortorella told the media after Wednesday's morning. "I'm not going to get into what he has." P.A. Parenteau, a right wing who was leading the AHL with 8 goals, was recalled on Tuesday from Hartford and will play against the Islanders. "I have no idea" – That’s a reply from Tortorella when asked when Gaborik will be able to return to the lineup.

Valentine, Acta and Fryman will get interviews

According to a report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Monday, Bobby Valentine, Manny Acta and Travis Fryman are among the finalists to be the next Indians manager, Valentine will get a second interview this week in Cleveland. Valentine has managed in the big leagues for 15 years and has a combined 1,117-1,072 record with the Rangers and Mets. His best season was in 2000, when he led the Mets to the World Series.

Acta managed the Nationals for two-plus seasons and compiled a 158-252 record. He was relieved of his duties in July of this year. Acta was interviewed by general manager Mark Shapiro and assistant general manager Chris Antonetti via the phone last week. "It is a very attractive situation, because they already have a good, young nucleus of players on the team and a very strong farm system. I believe that an exciting time is coming again to Cleveland." Acta wrote in an e-mail to MLB.com last week.