Friday morning rumors involving free agents and trade candidates

Eric Stephens via twitter: The Anaheim Ducks and Bobby Ryan continue to talk, but rumor is they haven’t agreed on any specific part of the contract.

Jim Matheson via twitter: Most likely scenario for Sheldon Souray is to attend Oilers camp, play in the top 4, and show teams that need a pp quarterback that he’s healthy.

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Andrew Cogliano is still looking for a contract from the Oilers, and is finding out he might have to take less than he’d like. The 3rd line center may have to take less than Gilbert Brule’s $1.85 million, even though he has more career points than him. Teams are being tighter when giving young players their second contract. The Oilers see him as a top 9 forward, not a top 6, and want to pay him accordingly, possibly a 1 year deal for less than $1.5 million.

Tom Gulitti via twitter: Deputy Commish Bill Daly said in an email that the League is still unsure on if or how they will penalize the New Jersey Devils for Kovalchuk’s first contract.

Mark Everson of the NY Post: Lou needs to shed around $3.5 million in cap space, and doesn’t want to deal Bryce Salvador’s $2.9 million contract. Dainius Zubrus is a likely candidate. Matt Corrente’s name has also come up, and Travis Zajac name continues to float around. There was a rumor that Tomas Kaberle could end up with the Devils in a big exchange with the Leafs, players and picks heading to Toronto, but it is “most difficult to fathom”. Lou hasn’t asked any of his players that have a no-trade clause to waive it. Back in 2006 the Devils sent Malakhov and a 1st round pick to San Jose for a couple minor leaguers, and were warned by the NHL not to do it again.

Chris Botta via twitter: At some point this season, Botta thinks that Bill Guerin will play for the Flyers or the Devils.

Genadi Boguslavski via twitter: The GM of the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk confirmed that he had talks with Jose Theodore, but Theodore didn’t want to go to Russia.

Nick Kypreos via twitter: It looks like Brayden Schenn will be out 2-4 weeks, Kings hoping additional tests won’t reveal any major damage in his knee.

Larry Brooks via twitter: The NHLPA Executive Board is voting on Donald Fehr as Executive Director, player reps must vote by 5:00 pm Saturday. Sportsnet also confirming the vote.