- Dave Caldwell of the NY Times: The Devils made some line changes at practice yesterday. Dainius Zubrus skated with Zach Parise and Travis Zajac. Ilya Kovalchuck was moved to a line with Adam Henrique and Patrick Elias. Jacob Josefson was between David Clarkson and Alexei Ponikarovsky.
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: The Bruins have a current cap hit at about $58 million for next year. That number could drop if Marc Savard is put on the LTIR. The summer cap number could jump to $68-69 million but drop below the $64.3 million with the new CBA. They need to re-sign Tuukka Rask, and won’t have much room for Benoit Pouliot, Chirs Kelly, Gregory Campbell, Daniel Paille, Brian Rolston, Greg Zanon, Joe Corvo and Mike Mottau. Trading Tim Thomas would create some more cap space. Greg Zanon’s agent said he thinks the Bruins would like to bring him back. They currently have 5 Dmen under contract, and prospect Dougie Hamilton could make the team. Tomas Vokoun could be a cheap free agent pickup, the Maple Leafs could be interested.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson wonders if the Capitals would trade Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin will get $9 million for 2 more years, then $10 million for 7 years. It likely wouldn’t happen, but someone suggested a Rick Nash-Alex Ovechkin. Possible candidates for the Capitals head coaching vacancy could be Tom Renney, Craig MacTavish, Bob Hartley, Marc Crawford, Ron Wilson and Jon Cooper. Milan Hejduk’s 1 year, $2 million deal may have some bearing on a Ryan Smyth-Oilers deal. The Canadiens may look to deal Tomas Plekanec rather than pay him $5 million next season. Some think that the Islanders may look at Alexander Semin. The Jets could be looking for a new backup goalie. Matheson wonders if the Coyotes should look at trading for David Krejci this offseason, sending Brandon Gormley and a pick to Boston.
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: Though it could just be posturing, Canucks GM Mike Gillis said last week that a Schneider-Luongo goaltending tandom is still possible for next season.
“Having both goalies back in Vancouver next year is definitely a possibility and probably the leading possibility,” Mike Liut, Cory Schnieder’s agent, told The Province.
“Cory will approach the season as he did this year — you focus on what you can control.”
There will be a 4 day window where teams could sign Schneider to an offer sheet, between July 1st and 5th. Schneider is eligible to become a UFA on July 1st 2013.
- Rangers Brandon Prust suspended 1 game: