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Franzen re-injures ankle … Flyers off-season notes … Reasons why Lidstrom may not retire
Mark Easson
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings forward Johan Franzen missed the 3rd period last night after re-aggravating his sprained ankle. Coach Mike Babcock said it will be up to Franzen if he goes Tuesday or not.
Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Some Flyers off-season notes. With some leadership questions in the playoffs, would the Flyers talk with Mike Richards about his team captaincy? If the Flyers would consider moving Jeff Carter, there would be at least 20 teams interested. Would be hard to move Scott Hartnell and his $4.2 million cap hit. Nik Zherdev is a UFA, was a healthy scratch 24 times. Andreas Nodl is a RFA, suffered a concussion in the playoffs, but will be back. They don’t have room ‘tagging’ room for Ville Leino at the moment, he’ll be looking for somewhere between $2-3 million. Kimmo Timonen is believed to be playing with a lower back injury during the playoffs. Brian Boucher is a UFA, he’d like to comeback, but may not be in the Flyers plans.
Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Allen lists 5 reasons he thinks Niklas Lidstrom won’t retire. 1. He and his wife are not in rush to leave Michigan. 2. The relationship between Lidstrom and the Red Wings is close to perfect. They ask him what salary number he can live with, and they don’t play hardball with him. 3. It could be hard to walk away from the money. He made $6.2 million this past season, and likely wouldn’t go below the $6 million Rafalski makes. 4. He still loves the game. 5. At 40 he is a Norris Trophy finalist.
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Islanders will look to trade Evgeni Nabokov at or before the NHL Entry Draft. The Flyers seem like a logical possibility. Getting true value for Mike Green and Alexander Semin would be difficult if the Capitals decided to go down that route. Capitals forward Brooks Laich will be highly sought after on July 1st. He’ll be looking for 1st line money even though he’s a 2nd-3rd line player.
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Wild have to sign WHL player of year, Darcy Kuemper by June 1st or he will become a free agent. Kuemper was a 6th round pick in 2009 but wants 1st round money. The Oilers and several other teams are watching free agent Swedish goalie Viktor Fasth. Doctor’s can’t figure out what is causing Jonas Hiller’s vertigo.
Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: The Rangers traded 2009 draft pick Ethan Werek to the Coyotes for 2010 draft pick Oscar Lindberg. Werek wasn’t under contract and the Rangers would have lost his rights if he wasn’t signed by the end of the month.