Mark Stepneski of the ESPN Dallas: Dallas Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk has put center Mike Ribeiro’s mind at ease, telling him that the plan is for him to be in Dallas this season. “I reassured him that I have no intentions of moving him. I think he was worried about it. There was speculation out there that he was going to be moved any day,” Nieuwendyk said. Ribeiro’s name has been mentioned all summer as a player they may give up to acquire a puck moving defenseman.
Craig Custance of the Sporting News: James Neal and the Dallas Stars continue to talk, but nothing is imminent. Nieuwendyk wants to get a deal done before the start of training camp, but realizes it may not happen.
Pierre LeBrun via twitter: LeBrun is hearing the Atlanta Thrashers are close to re-signing RFA Niclas Bergfors. Update 11:05 am: LeBrun via twitter: Confirms that Bergfors signs for 1 year, $900,000.
Helene Elliott of the the LA Times: With the departures of Sean O’Donnell and Randy Jones, and the injury to Matt Greene, 2007 4th overall pick Tomas Hickey might be ready to make the jump to the big club. Last season Hickey was limited to 23 regular season and playoff games due to shoulder and ankle injuries. “Going forward I want to make this team and that’s the only thing on my mind,” he said Sunday. His hockey IQ makes up for his lack of size. 2008 13th overall pick, Colten Teubert is still recovering from wrist surgery and won’t visit the doctors until early October.
Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Zach Parise will be an RFA after this season, and an UFA the year after. Parise wants to win, and if Kovalchuk’s re-signing helps that, it will help in his re-signing. “But if any of the repercussions of re-signing Kovalchuk – delaying starting negotiations, cap trouble, the impact on the roster, etc. – leads directly or indirectly to Parise leaving in two years, it will be it difficult to say this Summer of Kovy was worth it.”
Mark Everson of the NY Post: The New Jersey Devils have until October 6th to shed at least $3-3.5 million to get under the cap, and will be looking at their prospects closely to fill the roster spot(s), paying close attention to the likes of Jacob Josefson, Mattias Tedenby, Alexander Urbom, Tyler Eckford, Matt Corrente, Adam Henrique, Nick Palmeri and Vladimir Zharkov.
