Morning Hits: Lucic, Iginla’s Bonuses, Alfredsson, Beleskey, Galchenyuk, Coyle, Ducks and Moulson
Bob McKenzie: If the Ducks beat the Kings, the Western Conference Final will open in Anaheim. If the Kings beat the Ducks, the series will start in Chicago. Darren Dreger: Canadiens Dale Weise said that Bruins Milan Lucic threatened him during…
NHL Rumors V: Pittsburgh Penguins – Expect Changes
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Expect big changes in Pittsburgh. Kovacevic expects Dan Bylsma and Ray Shero to be fired. Kovacevic has been told that changes would be primarily based on the organizations failure to support and protect Sidney…
NHL Rumors IV: Dion Phaneuf – Flames, Avalanche and Oilers
Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Dion Phaneuf's agent in an email. “Dion and I treat this information as simply rumours,” agent Don Meehan said in an e-mail. “As such, we don’t really feel obligated to comment further in this…
NHL Rumors III: Jason Spezza – Panthers, Blues, Ducks, Flames, Predators,
Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel: Bruce Garrioch said that Jason Spezza would waive his no-trade clause for 10 teams, including the Panthers. Spezza is the prototypical center that GM Dale Tallon craves. The need for a center is low…
NHL Rumors II: Salary Cap, Stastny, Lightning, Schultz, Komerov, Rasmussen and Seattle
Ken Campbell: An agent said he thinks next seasons salary cap will be in the $68 to $70 million range. Adrian Dater: There have been no contract extension talks between the Avalanche and Paul Stastny yet. They are expected to…
NHL Rumors I: Coaches and GMs – Panthers, Leafs, Canucks and Capitals
Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: "The latest name that is floating around for coach of the Panthers is Marc Crawford" Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: "The meeting that took place in Vegas between Shanahan, Nonis and Carlyle was very one sided" ... "Carlyle sat down &…
NHL Rumors IV: Kypreos and MacLean on the Maple Leafs and Dion Phaneuf
@Hope_Smoke transcriptions Nick Kypreos: "A few denials today about Phaneuf & I wouldn't expect anything less." ... "I'm certainly not saying anything is imminent regarding Dion, but my understanding is Leafs have had discussions with other teams" ... "Are the Leafs really at a place where they're sitting…
Afternoon Hits: Blues, Maple Leafs, Blackhawks, Wild, Kings, Penguins and Capitals
Dan Rosen: The Blues have hired Kirk Muller as an assistant coach. James Mirtle: Recently fired Maple Leafs assistant coach Scott Gordon: "I can’t tell you how many times that Randy has said that the thought of trading Jake can’t even…
NHL Rumors III: Dion Phaneuf – Oilers, Stars, Jets, Sharks, Avalanche, Flames and Blues
CapGeek: Dion Phaneuf has a no-movement clause (voided after trade to Toronto) for current 2013-14 contract. His new contract (seven years and $49 million) has a no-movement clause and a modified no-trade clause in which he submits a 12-team trade…
NHL Rumors II: Jason Spezza – Blues, Ducks, Rangers and Panthers
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: It is thought that the Panthers and Rangers could be interested in Jason Spezza, to go along with the Blues and Ducks. "That number is only going to grow," a league executive told the…
NHL Rumors I: GM Vacancy in Washington and Vancovuer … Vanek Not Built for Habs?
Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: There are still rumors that Wayne Gretzky could join the Capitals. Bruins assistant GM Jim Benning appears to the front-runner for the Canucks GM position. Captials GM candidates include Doug MacLean, Craig Button and Mike…
Quick Hits: Red Wings, Muller, Jackman, Orlov and Summers
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings management and scouting staff are meeting this week to discuss options at the draft. The Wings hold the 15th pick. They are taking in their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids…