- Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: Ilya Bryzgalov arrived in Philadelphia yesterday on Ed Snider’s private jet. He’ll meet with members of the organization today and tomorrow. Bryzgalov is scheduled to meet head coach Peter Laviolette and goalie Jeff Reese this morning, then others in the afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center. Neither side wants to talk about the negotiations. “We are in a bunker hiding from you guys,” Winter texted CSNPhilly.com. “Not planning to be found.”
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Negotiations for Predators free agents moving slowly. “It seems like a slow process,” Poile said Wednesday. “I don’t want to speak for anyone else, but there are no high-end signings right now. It has been pretty slow.” On RFA Shea Weber,
“Right now I have nothing imminent,” Poile said. “Negotiations are ongoing and hopefully we will get something done sooner rather than later.”
Poile has held some talks with UFAs Joel Ward’s and Marcel Goc’s representatives. Ward is expected to ask for a raise from his $1.5 million 2010-11 salary.
“We are certainly going to crunch as many numbers as possible and discuss as much as possible what the open market would have for Joel,” Cooney said. “But at the same time, one must remember that Nashville certainly is right on the front burner for us to talk to at all times.”
The Predators named Peter Horachek their associate coach. The Preds re-signed defenseman Teemu Laakso to a 1 year, 2-way contract for $675,000 and $105,000 in the AHL.
- Josh Cooper via twitter: Predators GM Poile has said that some teams have called about some of their younger players in exchange for a 1st round pick.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche have been getting offers regularly for their 2nd overall pick in this year’s draft.
“It would have to be something paramount. But I’m not looking to move the pick,” Sherman said after the NHL’s most recent general managers’ meetings in Boston. “There has been interest in the pick. Given the plan that we’re on right now, it’s not something we’re looking to (trade).”
Winger Peter Mueller is expected to be ready for training camp after missing all of last season with a concussion. Tomas Fleischmann still hasn’t been cleared by medical personnel for his pulmonary embolism.
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Jaromir Jagr’s agent called the Detroit Red Wings to see if there was any interest. Jagr’s agent Petr Svoboda has also contacted the Penguins, Rangers and Canadiens. The Red Wings may consider as he could come at a decent price, and they wouldn’t have to give up anything to get him.
- Don Peat in Canoe.ca: Toronto City Council supports adding a 2nd NHL team in the city. The city’s economic development committee is asking Council to send a letter to the NHL expressing their support. Perruzza said a second team would give people in Toronto “the option to be able to go and support another team.”
“This market completely being dominated by one team that year in and year out takes advantage, I believe full advantage, of its fan base by simply knowing that we’re going to be there for them, in support of them,” he said. “And year in and year out it is just one great big disappointment, year after year after year after year.”
- Edmonton Journal: The Oilers have signed Finnish free agents Antti Tyrvainen (22) and Lennart Petrell (27). Former Oilers coach Craig MacTavish is on a short list for the Minnesota Wild head coaching position and has an interview with Winnipeg.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Sources are saying that the Dallas Stars could name Glen Gulutzan their new head coach by the end of this week. Gulutzan was their AHL affiliate coach.
- Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel: If the Panthers were considering buying out Rostislav Olesz, they won’t be able to while he recovers from an injury. Injured players are not able to be bought out. Olesz is recovering from a torn ACL and won’t be cleared until the fall.