- Arthur Staple: The Islanders will start long-term contract talks with RFAs Josh Bailey and Travis Hamonic.
- Josh Rimer: A solid source said that Tim Thomas won’t play hockey next year.
- Dmitry Chesnokov: Andrei Loktionov’s agent said there is a 99% chance that he’ll sign with the Devils.
- Adrian Dater via Sulia: @25Stanley reported that the Avalanche have signed Patrick Bordeleau to a 3-year deal around $1 million a season. The Avalanche would only say that the deal is not official, but it’s close.
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Mike Ribeiro seems no closer to re-signing with the Capitals than he did at the end of the season. According to agent Don Meehan: “There really aren’t any updates.” Ribeiro has rejected a 3-year, $14 million deal from the Capitals. The Capitals are close to the cap and may have trouble getting Ribeiro and/or Matt Hendricks signed, even if they trade Jef Schultz and his $2.75 million. They could look to trade or amnesty Martin Erat.
- Brendan Savage of MLive: Valtteri Filppula’s days with the Red Wings could be over as the big season they expected didn’t materialize. He’s reportedly looking for $5 million, but the Red Wings may not want to go that high.
“I gotta go through the next month,” said general manager Ken Holland. “I’m going to meet with the coaches, obviously prior to July 5th (and the start of free agency). I’m going to meet with the coaches (this) week and then shortly after try to get our pro scouts in and make a plan.
“Obviously some of them we want to re-sign. We’ve got some big decisions because there’s a push from below.”
Filppula has spent his entire NHL career with the Red Wings.
“I haven’t thought about that too much,” Filppula said after cleaning out his locker following the Game 7 playoff loss to Chicago. “Obviously, it’s a possibility that could happen. It’d be tough. It’s been a really great place to be. I’ve been so happy here. We’ll see if we go … if that’s what’s going to happen.
“I’m sure it would be (strange playing elsewhere). It would be different I’m sure. It would be weird at first. I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
