Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: If Kovalchuk is wanting the most money he can get, he’ll have to go to the KHL. If he’s willing to settle for for less, he’ll be back in the NHL. There won’t be a team that will offer him close to what Atlanta was willing to give him. Some teams may be reluctant to make him their top paid player. Kovalchuk’s lack-luster playoff performance may scare some teams away.
Ray Slover of the SportingNews: Changes are probably going to happening in New Jersey, and Slover asks the question, is it time they part ways with Martin Brodeur? I can’t believe anyone would write that. That thought shouldn’t cross anyone’s mind. Marty is a Devil for Life.
Helen St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Jiri Hudler’s agent is finalizing the release of Hudler from his Moscow Dynamo contract. By next week the Red Wings should know more if Hudler will be heading back to the Wings for 2 years and $5.75 million.
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Nikita Filatov sent a text to the Dispatch that he’ll be at Columbus training camp next fall. “The coaching change doesn’t mean much for me,” Filatov said. “Anyway, I was going to be back. When I left (in November), I said I was coming back, and that was no matter who the coach will be.”