- Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: MacIntyre wonders if the Canucks would consider trading Ryan Kesler. Kesler antics bother some, he didn’t have a great season, and his no-trade clause starts before next season. The Canucks may look at improving their image. Kesler wouldn’t talk about the injury that is bothering him, and they’ll know in the next 10 days if he’ll need surgery or not.
- David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: The job security of Sharks GM Doug Wilson and coach Todd McLellan won’t be known until likely sometime next week. Patrick Marleau on if he’d be open to exploring other options if asked: “We’ll cross that bridge if it ever comes up.” Dan Boyle said there was a window opening for his NMC but he said he doesn’t want to think about it or go anywhere. Logan Couture requires shoulder surgery at some point. Joe Pavelski was getting injections for his foot and had a thumb ligament and knee ligament issues. Brent Burns had abdominal discomfort, Ryan Clowe had a groin strain, TJ Galiardi had a lower back issue, Machal Handzus had a groin strain, Doug Murray had a groin strain, Colin White and Tommy Wingels had a shoulder injuries.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Canucks GM Mike Gillis on trading Cody Hodgson at the deadline for Zack Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani:
“There clearly were issues that were ongoing,” Gillis said when asked about Hodgson during Tuesday’s season ending press conference. “I spent more time on Cody’s issues than every other player combined on our team the last three years.
“We made a determination that he didn’t want to be here; we built him into something we could move. There were six young players that I would have traded him for if any of them were ever made available. One was made available at the trade deadline and it was Zack.”
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings would like to keep UFA Brad Stuart, but he may be heading to back to California to be closer to his family:
“I’ve been living here while my family has spent a lot of time in California,” Stuart said. “I’ve got a step-daughter that needs to finish high school. That’s how it is. There’s really no way to get around that. I guess it will be up to me to decide what needs to be done, because it’s been a tough couple of years. As much fun and as great as it’s been to play here, it’s been equally as tough on the family side of it.”
GM Ken Holland has approached Stuart about a contract extension, but he said he needed to consider his family.
“I guess the decision I’ll have to make is, am I going to go to free agency and see what happens, or not?” he said. “I haven’t talked to Kenny yet. I’m sure there might be a point where he wants to know one way or the other. It’ll be within a month-a-half, I guess. I love it here. If it was a purely hockey decision, I would stay.”
- Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: The Blackhawks core will remain, and if the salary cap in the new CBA remains around $64 million, they’ll have around $7 million is space. Not returning next year will likely be Andrew Brunette, Brendan Morrison, Jamal Mayers, Sean O’Donnell and Sami Lepisto. Bubble players are Brandon Bollig, Bryan Bickell, Steve Montador and Johnny Oduya. Oduya made $3.5 million and may be looking for a raise.
- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: So Roberto Luongo said he’d be willing to waive his no-trade clause yesterday. The Maple Leafs are looking for a goalie and may be interested, but there are some issues to run through. 1. Could Luongo help the Leafs? Yes. 2. Is Luongo in his prime? Nope. He is 33 but still in the top 1/3 in the league, likely top 5 goalie in the East. 3. Is the contract a crippling deal to any team? It’s cap friendly at $5.33 for 10 years. Salary decreases in the last 4 to $7 million total, can buy him out at 39. Can look at it as a 6 year deal for around $40 million. 4. Would the Leafs have to give up the 5th overall pick or Jake Gardiner for Luongo? Absolutely not. Belief is the Canucks wouldn’t get much of a return. 5. Would it be a better play to go after Cory Schneider? Maybe, but the Canucks are expected to keep Schneider. 6. Is Luongo the best option for the Leafs to get a true No. 1 goalie? It will create some discussions in the Leaf office. Dave Nonis acquired Luongo in Vancouver. Debate could increase if other goalies become available. Can the Blues keep both Halak and Elliott? Could the Penguins move Marc-Andre Fleury? Will Miikka Kiprusoff become available? What about Nikolai Khabibulin? Would the Sabres be ready to trade Ryan Miller?
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: The Penguins core isn’t the issue. Penguins GM Ray Shero is too smart to trade Evgeni Malkin, and he’ll look to keep both Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal. Kovacevic thinks there blue line must be blown up. Shero spent $45 million on Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek, both have 3 years left, and both have been busts. Their defense needs to “get younger, faster, stronger and more skilled.”
- Cody Nickolet via twitter: GMs Steve Yzerman and Brian Burke were in Moose Jaw last night watching top 10 draft picks Morgan Rielly and Griffin Reinhart. There were also scouts from Edmonton, Phoenix, LA, and others from Toronto and Tampa Bay.