The NHL Board of Governors is the ruling and governing body of the NHL. In this context, each NHL team is a member of the NHL, and each member appoints a Governor (usually the owner of the club), and two alternates to the Board. The current chairman of the Board is Boston Bruins owner, Jeremy Jacobs. The NHL Board of Governors exists to establish the policies of the NHL and to uphold its constitution. Some of the responsibilities of the NHL Board of Governors include:

• Review and approve any rule changes to the game.
• Hiring and firing of the NHL commissioner.
• Review and approve the purchase, sale, or relocation of any member club.
• Review and approve the salary caps for member clubs.
• Review and approve any changes to the structure of the game schedule.

The Board of Governors meets twice per year, in June and December.

Nashville Predators forward Rich Clune has been fined $1,452.70, the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for boarding Colorado Avalanche forward Aaron Palushaj, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 12:32 of the first period. Clune was assessed a minor penalty for boarding.

As a first-time offender, the maximum Clune could be fined was the lesser of $10,000 or one-half of his daily salary.

The fine money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen has been suspended for one game for roughing Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Hansen will forfeit $7,297.30. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 1:10 of the third period. Hansen was assessed a minor penalty for roughing.

ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose believes New York Rangers taskmaster John Tortorella is the odds-on favorite to step behind Team USA’s bench at the 2014 Winter Games, assuming NHL players participate as expected.

“Tortorella is a natural choice to lead Team USA at the Sochi Olympics,” Melrose, said of the Boston native on Tuesday night. “The guy has won a Stanley Cup (with the Bolts in 2004) and he’s got the Rangers playing a great style of hockey. He’s a solid coach, meticulous in his planning, and that team would be ready to play.”

Viktor Fasth, the Swedish sensation who has posted an 8-0-0 record in his first NHL season with the Anaheim Ducks, has signed a two-year extension with the club that will run through the 2014-15 season. Per club policy, financial terms of this extension were not divulged, but Eric Stephens of the Orange County register reported it was for $5.8 million ($2.4 next season and $3.4 in 2014-15).

A veteran of the Swedish Elite League, the 30-year-old Fasth signed a one-year contract with the Ducks in May to be Jonas Hiller‘s backup. But Fasth got off to a strong start and injuries to Hiller allowed him to gain even more regular playing time. The team has barely looked back since.

Along with his flawless record, Fasth sports a 1.78 goals-against average and .933 save percentage. He was named the NHL’s Second Star for last week and with a victory in his next start he would tie Ray Emery‘s record of nine consecutive wins to start an NHL career.

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The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in a shootout Tuesday night to make it 16 straight games with at least one point, matching the NHL record to start a season.

• Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano was fined $10,000 by the NHL on Tuesday for his slew foot on Dallas Stars forward Antoine Roussel. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
• TSN Hockey Insiders Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun discuss if the the Ottawa Senators should consider moving Daniel Alfredsson if the team plays itself out of contention.
• The NHL will determine today whether the Vancouver Canucks Jannik Hansen will be disciplined for a hit to the head on Chicago Blackhawks star Marian Hossa Tuesday night but Hansen himself thinks he did nothing wrong.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun suggests Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray has chatted with Colorado Avalanche GM Greg Sherman about a deal for Ryan O’Reilly, but the rumored price of a roster player, prospect, and draft pick is simply too steep.

The general manager of the New York Rangers is also thought to be actively discussing a trade for Ryan O’Reilly of the Colorado Avalanche. CBC’s Elliotte Friedman proposes the Avalanche may be interested in shipping O’Reilly eastward for a package that includes defenseman Michael Del Zotto.

“Colorado began the process of approaching teams it considers possible trade partners. One was definitely the New York Rangers. I had originally thought the deal involved Michael Del Zotto and Derek Stepan for O’Reilly and another defenceman. However, it was strongly denied that Stepan was ever discussed, so I think I was wrong. The Denver Post’s Adrian Dater has reported the Avalanche are not as interested in getting a centre back. Even so, del Zotto is exactly the kind of player Colorado would want. Tyson Barrie‘s goal on Monday against the Nashville Predators was the first by an Avalanche blue-liner this season.”

Recent murmurings surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins hint at an interest in improving the squad and relatively soon through trade. CBC’s Elliotte Friedman suggests Penguins GM Ray Shero may have his eye on one Minnesota Wild forward, in particular.

Friedman writes “So who was Shero watching last week in Minnesota? He attended (the) Avalanche/Wild game the night before Pittsburgh won in Winnipeg. You know who has Penguin written all over him? Matt Cullen.”

Cullen is in the final year ($3.5 million) of his current contract. Under performing in Minnesota this season, the 36-year-old could be a solid trade asset for the Wild.

Minnesota Wild winger Devin Setoguchi has been fined $8,108.11 by the NHL for high-sticking Detroit Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey in Sunday’s game against Detroit.

Setoguchi was assessed a double-minor for high-sticking Quincey at 15:16 of the second period.

Quincey left the game, but returned in the third period.

As a first-time offender, the maximum Setoguchi could be fined was the lesser of $10,000 – or one-half of his daily salary.

The 26-year-old has two goals and three assists through 15 games this season.