- David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer gave up his pursuit of the Phoenix Coyotes and is now looking at buying the St. Louis Blues. He has recently met with Blues chairman Dave Checketts. Hulsizer has been discussing buying the majority share in the team in the price range of $165 to $170 million. There are some reports that Hulsizer offered to buy the $100 million in bonds from the city of Glendale to buy the Coyotes. It would have gave the city $5 million instead of nothing. Glendale also had turned down $25 million from Jim Balsillie years ago. The financial situation in St. Louis may not be as good as originally reported. The vote by Nassau County taxpayers is set for August 1st to approve a financial plan to build a new arena for the Islanders.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche are still about $4 million below the salary cap floor of $48.3 million. They still need to re-sign TJ Galiardi and Kyle Cumiskey. Once they get 1st round draft pick Gabriel Landeskog signed (and if he makes the team) he would carry around a $3 million salary cap hit.
- Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman doesn’t listen to trade rumors, “I don’t feel I should be in a position to comment on somebody who simply has an idea.” GM’s are asking how he’s making out with Steven Stamkos’ negotiations, but nothing more. When asked if someone has come up with a proposal, Yzerman responded,
“Absolutely not. I’m not interested in discussing a possible trade. I’m committed to re-signing Steven.”
“I’m confident,” Yzerman said, “we will reach an agreement.”
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets have several options on who will play with Jeff Carter and Rick Nash on their top line. RJ Umberger could get some time on the right side. If Carter shifts to the right side, Derick Brassard could be the center. Kristian Huselius or Antoine Vermette are also possibilities. The Jackets are basically done adding players for the summer, they site around $58 million against the cap.
“As far as who is going to play with whom you know it’s going to change as the year goes on,” Howson said. “There’s going to be a time when (Arniel) is going to mix it up and give it a different look. Boston won the Stanley Cup and they didn’t have the same lines static throughout the season.
“But we’re a different team in terms of skill. That’s what we wanted and needed to change.”