Matthew Lombardi signing could pay off for Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs' acquisition of injured Matthew Lombardi last month could end up being more reward than risk based on what Lombardi is telling the Leafs.

"He says he is going be at training camp, and our guys believe he will," Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke said.

Lombardi suffered a concussion in the second game of the 2010-11 season, and the Predators had no insurance on his $3.5 million salary because he had suffered a previous concussion.

Because it was unclear when Lombardi would be able to play again, the Predators couldn't risk carrying Lombardi's salary again this season. Every dollar matters to the Predators whose budget is closer to the floor than the ceiling of $64.3 million salary cap. The Predators dealt him to Toronto, an organization willing to take a chance because the Maple Leafs don't have budget worries and because the Predators were also willing to give them desirable defenseman Cody Franson.

In 2009-10, the speedy Lombardi had produced 19 goals and 53 points playing for the Phoenix Coyotes.

"He feels really good," Burke said. "The most recent medical report we had on him is that the remaining discomfort he's having isn't concussion-related."

Here are updates on some of last season's injured players:

• St. Louis Blues center David Perron (concussion): He played only 10 games last season, and the Blues have said Perron won't be ready for training camp. The hope is Perron will play at some point this season. "The symptoms he has are further and further between episodes," St. Louis general manager Doug Armstrong said. "But he's not to the point where he is training yet, and he has not been cleared yet to get on the ice."

Adds Perron's agent, Allan Walsh: "While David is still experiencing some intermittent symptoms, he's moved closer to ramping up a training program that will allow him to prepare for the upcoming season. It serves no useful purpose at this time in putting a time frame on when he may return to action."

• Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby (concussion): He has not talked to the media about his injury this summer, but the word is that he is training and planning as if he will be ready for the start of training camp. The NHL brings its stars to New York for media interviews every September, and Crosby is planning to be there.

• Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller (vertigo): He took two months off after the season, then started to skate, and reported to the Ducks that he was feeling much better. He is expected at training camp. The Ducks just hope the symptoms don't return.

•New Jersey defenseman Bryce Salvador (concussion): After not playing all of last season, Salvador is expected to be at training camp.

• Nashville defenseman Francis Bouillon (concussion): He hasn't played since last January, and recently he had to back off training because of the return of symptoms. The Predators hope he will be ready at the start of the season, but they just don't know.

• Philadelphia defenseman Chris Pronger (hand and back surgery): The objective is to be ready by opening night, meaning the start of training camp probably isn't in the cards.

• Pittsburgh center/wing Evgeni Malkin (ACL surgery): Fully recovered and ready for action.