- Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Devils winger Zach Parise said there is still “nothing” going on with contract discussions. Gulitti thinks it seems likely that the Devils will file for “team-elected arbitration” next week. This would prevent other teams from signing Parise to an offer sheet. When Lou was asked about it, “That’s something we’d never talk about.” Even if they file for arbitration, the sides can still work on a new deal.
“I’m sure that nobody wants that to happen,” Parise said. “No one wants it to drag out all the way to arbitration. I don’t think a player wants to go to arbitration. I don’t think an organization wants to take someone to arbitration at the end of the day. Maybe something like that happens, but of course we don’t want to.”
- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: It looks like the Bruins could let Tomas Kaberle walk, and Michael Ryder could be kept. Both players are likely to get offers but at a discounted price. Kaberle is a $4.25 million cap hit, Ryder is at $4 million.
- Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times: The Lightning have 12 free agents, and GM Steve Yzerman said that he probably can’t bring everyone back. He’s told a some players that there are a few contracts he has to do first before he can get to them. On UFA defenseman Eric Brewer,
“He played very well for us,” Yzerman said. “We intend to offer him a contract. It all comes down to how much we can afford to pay for the position and how much the player is asking. We haven’t had those discussions yet. But at my end-of-the-year meeting, he indicated he enjoyed playing here in Tampa and is interested in exploring signing an extension with us.”
Yzerman has been playing “phone tag” with Steven Stamkos’s agent,
“We want (Stamkos) to be a Lightning player for a long time and our intention is to reach an agreement that works for all the parties involved.”
The Lightning will likely want to sign Dwayne Roloson, Mike Smith, Sean Bergenheim and Teddy Purcell. Simon Gagne could be down the contract priority list.
- Erik Erlendsson via twitter: If Brewer isn’t re-signed, Erlendsson thinks they will look at Kevin Bieksa or Christian Ehrhoff, “those type of UFAs”
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Coyotes GM Don Maloney needs to find a number 1 center, but was pleased with Kyle Turris’s play against Detroit in the 1st round. Kris Draper may be finding himself on the outside, as there isn’t really room for him on the Red Wings roster next season. He may retire and take a management job similar to what Kirk Maltby did last year. Alex Radulov’s KHL team is in financial trouble which could bode well for the Predators.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson wonders if it’s possible that Tim Thomas wins the Conn Smythe Trophy even if the Bruins lose. Keith Ballard’s days in Vancouver may be numbered as he’s fallen to 9th on their depth chart. Moving Ballard’s contract would be difficult as he has 3 years at $4.2 million per year. Coyotes GM Maloney hopes the Flyers work out a deal with Ilya Bryzgalov so that they can acquire another assets that was conditional in the trade. On a replacement for Bryzgalov,
“There’s some really good up-and-comers, ready for prime time as a No. 1 slot,” said Maloney. “For the right young goaltender who’s 23, 24, 25, who we could keep for five or six years, there’s a price. You weigh that against the UFA market. There’s some experienced, very good goaltenders. I’m not losing sleep over this.”
The Minnesota Wild may not name their new coach until draft week, Craig MacTavish may be the leading candidate. The Coyotes have to re-sign Keith Yandle but may let Ed Jovanovski walk. Matheson thinks the Oilers should sign Zenon Konopka.