Fan 590 Brian Burke Press Conference: Yesterday Brian Burke held a news conference discussing the Toronto Maple Leafs season, and what could happen going forward.
Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke’s wish list “1. A Top-6 forward; 2. Adding more size to the roster; 3. Augmenting team toughness.” With the lack of picks at this years draft, July 1st will be their draft.
Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: There were rumors that the St. Louis Blues might go after a high priced scorer this off-season, but President John Davidson has said that he has no plans on pursuing one. Ilya Kovalchuk name has been mentioned as a possible free agent target, as well as Patrick Marleau. “A, it’s just too expensive, and B, the growth pattern of our club is going in the right direction. I know we had a terrible first half, but our second half, it got us back on track. We have to continue to grow like that, to put us into a position of, ‘When is the right time to try to add something that’s really going to make us a better club?'”
George Richards of the Miami Herald: Tomas Vokoun will be shopped by the Florida Panthers, and he’s said he’d waive his no trade clause for the right situation. They might also be shopping Stephen Weiss, Nathan Horton, and Bryan McCabe.
Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Thrashers have 9 UFAs this year, and they may be looking to re-sign at least 3 of them, Pavel Kubina, Maxim Afinogenov, and Colby Armstrong. Kubina and Afinogenov have both said they’d be interested in returning.
Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Down the stretch, Johan Hedberg was the #1 goalie for Atlanta, going 11-8-3 while starting 22 of 32 games. Despite that, the 37-year-old UFA doesn’t know if he’ll be back with the Thrashers next season.
