- Jeremy Rutherford of hte St. Louis Post Dispatch: Jaroslav Halak’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least first 2 games of the Blues-Kings series.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: Custance lists 5 questions regarding the San Jose Sharks. 1. Is it time for a dramatic change at the top? – referring to GM Doug Wilson. 2. What about McLellan? 3. Has the window of opportunity to win a Cup truly closed on the Sharks core’? 4. Is it time to break up Thornton and Marleau? 5. Is it time for a dramatic rebuild in San Jose?
- GregG Krupa of the Detroit News: Krupa mentions the cap space the Red Wings have to go after Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. The skill after those 2 declines. Suter on the Wings:
“They have one of the greatest hockey traditions going,” Suter said. “They’re one of the greatest franchises, maybe ever.”
The Predators will have 8 UFAs and 7 RFAs. The price to retain Shea Weber, Alexander Radulov, Sergei Kostitsyn and 12 others over the next 2 years will be steep. The Stars, Kings, Rangers and others will also be looking to sign Parise and Suter.
- Mark Spector of Sportsnet.ca: There are rumors that Canucks Ryan Kesler and his “high-maintenance, bristling personality is wearing on people around the organization are easy to believe, once you meet the guy.”
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Ducks would like to re-sign Saku Koivu, but they may be looking at adding a 2nd line center. GM Bob Murray noted, “we just need our younger players to mature faster.” “And we need a couple of more pieces,” he added.
- Eric Stephens via twitter: Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin had successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Recovery is expected to be 4 months.
- Lisa Halverstadt via twitter: Glendale mayor Scruggs: “I’m ready to go on with life without the #Coyotes” though best thing would be for the team to stay.
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill will remain with the Wings.
“I had two great talks with Montreal; I was interested, they were interested,” Nill said. “But it’s not the right time.”
- Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: The Hurricanes have re-signed Jiri Tlusy to a 2 year deal worth $3.2 million. He’ll make $1.5 million next season, $1.7 million the following year. The ‘Canes also signed defenseman Beau Schmitz to a 3 year entry level deal.
- Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville’s after being eliminated from the playoffs last night.