- Matthew Sekeres of the Globe and Mail: Rumors that Manny Malhotra had emergency surgery on his eye on Tuesday were false. If he doesn’t skate with teammates today, it’s unlikely he’ll play on Saturday. Dan Hamhuis is day-to-day with a lower-body injury after putting a hip check on Milan Lucic in Game 1. Hamhuis replacement options are Keith Ballard, Andrew Alberts and rookie Chris Tanev.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: So the Dallas Stars won’t be making an offer to Brad Richards.
“We have had talks with Brad throughout the year, and he’s not going to sign with us unless we have the ownership situation resolved, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen by the start of free agency,” Nieuwendyk said. “So while we could have discussions, it just doesn’t make much sense right now. So we would like to see if we could get something for his rights and allow another team to have a chance to sign him, but a lot of that is up to Brad and his agent.”
Richards has a no movement clause, and won’t easily waive it.
“I’m not aware of another player in this situation who has waived his no-trade clause, and I think there is a reason for that,” said Richards’ Toronto-based agent Pat Morris. “Accepting a move to another team creates an obligation, and you have to be pretty sure about that obligation. I think Brad has to do what’s best for himself and keep his options open.”
“It is difficult to leave Dallas, because it’s a city I really like and it’s a team where I thought I would have a chance to stay long-term,” Richards said. “But the ownership situation is what it is, and I’ve been through that before, and it’s something that’s really important to me. I want to win, and I think if you look around the league, the teams that win consistently are teams with strong ownership.”
- Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: Richards history with John Tortorella has lead to speculation that he would be interested in joining the Rangers. The Maple Leafs and LA Kings are likely to give the Rangers competition. It’s likley he’ll want to test the open market.
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Sidney Crosby has been given clearance to begin his off-season workout routine, and would be monitored by his personal trainer. “I don’t want to look too far ahead, or whatever,” Shero said today. “But there’s no reason for me to expect him not to be (ready for camp), put it that way.”
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher has said he’s willing to trade anyone except Mikko Koivu. They have already interviewed Craig MacTavish, Michel Therrien, Ken Hitchcock and Kirk Muller for the vacant head coaching position. He plans on talking with Houston’s (AHL) Mike Yeo. “We’re closer to the end than we are to the beginning,” said Fletcher, in Toronto for the NHL draft combine. “It’s not going to go forever. There’s a lot to be done, and I think it’s very important to work hand-in-hand with the new coach. Defenseman Brent Burns will be a UFA after next season and could be looking something in the $5 million range. Fetcher will be speaking with Burns’ agent, Ron Salcer, in the near future. Cam Barker (25) will make $3.08 million next year, and if bought out, he’d cost $375,000 against the cap next year, $541,667 the year after. The Wild won’t make any decisions on their free agents until they hire a new coach.
- Andre Cyr on Canoe.ca: Jaromir Jagr is talking with 4 KHL teams and said he’ll make a decision within a week. He also mentioned not to exclude a return to the NHL. Jagr’s European agent said last week that the Canadiens were interested. Sources are saying the Rangers could be interested as well, though they don’t have much cap room. Jagr could be “satisfied” with a $2 million NHL salary.
- Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators have interviewed 5 or 6 coaches to fill their head coaching vacancy. Saint John (QMJHL) head coach Gerard Gallant was one of the latest to interview for the position. GM Bryan Murray hopes to have the position filled by mid-June.
- Genadi Boguslavski via twitter: KHL’s Vityaz GM Alex Zhamnov said his team wants to sign Zenon Konopka (NY Islanders) and Steve MacIntyre (Oilers).
