- Aaron Portzline: The Blue Jackets are pursuing Nathan Horton. Sources saying that Horton visited Columbus yesterday. One issue with Horton is that he’s waiting to have shoulder surgery and won’t do so until he’s signed with a new team. He won’t be ready for the start of training camp.
- Spector’s Hockey: Tuukka Rask’s new deal is rumored to be for 8 years and $56 million.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is “confident” that Rask’s deal will get real soon.
“I feel confident we’ll get a deal done with Rask in short order,” said Chiarelli. “I’ve got a place-holder number that I can work around as far as cap-building. I would think before , but I’m okay if it’s done after that too. I’m confident regardless .”
- Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun: Five potential free agent targets for the Flames: Jonathan Blum (D), Tyler Bozak (C) Valtteri Filppula (C/LW), Mason Raymond (LW) and Jeff Schultz (D).
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Patrice Bergeron and the Bruins could be close on an extension that would pay him between $52-$54 million. Three teams reached out to Tim Thomas’ agent yesterday. Nathan Horton’s agent, Paul Krepelka, said they are looking for a non-traditional hockey market as he’s looking for a quieter place to play.
- Steve Zipay: Rangers GM Glen Sather said that negotiations with Henrik Lundqvist are continuing.