- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Jarome Iginla said he’d prefer to stay in Calgary but admitted that he wouldn’t be interested in staying around for an Edmonton-like rebuild. He still believes the Flames are “close.” James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Flames GM Jay Feaster:
“I don’t know what direction everybody is going. If they choose to go a full rebuild, at this point, that’s not ,” Iginla told reporters. “Probably my ideal situation, yes, would be to be here, reload and go for it … Ideally, I believe we had a chance to win this year. I don’t believe the teams that beat us are better. I really don’t.”
- Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said there is money to pursue a top free agent or for a trade target for a winger for Eric Staal. The ‘Canes could be looking at Zach Parise, but they won’t be alone.
“Based on my conversation with Mr. Karmanos, we’ve talked about a top-line player,” Rutherford said. “He agrees that that’s something we want to do. Not what we’ve done in the past with free agents, where we go to the second-tier free-agent group, or the third tier or the fourth tier, but a top-line player. If it’s available by free agency or trade, we’re going to do everything we can to make that happen this year.”
- Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said he’s open to trading their 2012 1st round draft pick.
“One thing I will not do is mortgage the future but if I can accelerate the future, I will gladly do that,” Cheveldayoff said to the team’s radio broadcasters in a special post-season show this evening.
- Dave Stubbs in the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens goalie Carey Price said he’s still feeling concussion symptoms 3 weeks after taking the hit in practice. Price is also waiting for the Canadiens to hire a new GM so they can start on a new contract.
“I want to play here for a long time,” he said. “When we get a GM, we’ll cross that bridge. There was a little bit of discussion before Pierre (Gauthier) was let go. He had his ways of going about things. Now, it’s a waiting game.
“We have a lot of really good pieces in this room. There’s a lot of positive upside moving forward, so it’s definitely a place I want to be and be a part of. . . .
“I don’t have anything specific in mind,” Price said of contract term, “but I want to play here as long as I can. I have a house here. I feel pretty settled in the city and to this organization. I’m just kinda waiting for an offer.”
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Ryan Smyth will be a UFA and wants to return to the Oilers next season. The Oilers have offered Smyth a 2 year deal, but they are not on the same page when it comes to dollar amount. They’ve been talking for weeks.
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: McGran puts percentages on Maple Leafs returning next season. James Reimer (95%), Ben Scrivens (50%), Jonas Gustavsson (10%), Dion Phaneuf (95%), Jake Gardiner (85%), Carl Gunnarsson (75%), John-Michael Liles (75%), Luke Schenn (40%), Mike Komisarek (25%), Cody Franson (25%), Phil Kessel (95%), Mikhail Grabovski (95%), Mike Brown (95%), Jay Rosehill (80%), Joffrey Lupul (75%), Matt Frattin (75%), Tim Connolly (65%), Nikolai Kulemin (65%), Clarke MacArthur (50%), Tyler Bozak (50%), Matthew Lombardi (25%), Colby Armstrong (25%), Joey Crabb (25%), and David Steckel (25%).
- Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Matt Duchene, Ryan O’Reilly, Erik Johnson and Shane O’Brien are all free agents and all hope to return to the Avalanche. The Avs have 8 restricted free agents and 6 unrestricted free agents.
“Last time I was restricted (in 2010 with the Blues), I let the negotiations get to me a little bit,” said Johnson, 24, who completed his fifth year in the NHL and his second contract. “This time around, I’m experienced and I’ll just let my agent handle it. But there’s one thing I want to make clear to my agent: I want to be here for the long haul and I love what this group has to offer and everything this organization is all about. For me, it’s a no-brainer to want to come back.”
- Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Avs under contract for next year: Paul Stastny, Gabriel Landeskog, Chuck Kobasew, Jan Hejda, Ryan O’Bryne, Stefan Elliott, Tyson Barrie, Semyon Varlamov, and J.S. Giguere. UFAs: Milan Hejduk, David Jones, Jay McClement, Cody McLeod, Matt Hunwick and Shane O’Brien. RFAs: Matt Duchene, Peter Mueller, Steve Downie, Ryan O’Reilly, Kevin Porter, Jamie McGinn, Erik Johnson and Ryan Wilson.
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Erlendsson lists 5 areas in which the Lightning are likely to address: 1. Goaltending 2. Defense 3. Power play 4. A top 6 forward 5. A good luck charm.
- Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: The Lightning must find a number 1 goaltender this summer. Cory Schneider will be a target but the price will be high for him. The Lightning have 2 1st rounders and up to 4 2nd rounders. Plan B could be Jonathan Bernier or Anders Lindback. Mathieu Garon has one year left and is best suited in the backup role.
“We don’t have a plan as of yet,” Yzerman said. “Once the playoffs are over, we’ll see what’s out there and who’s looking for what. At the end of the day, if there’s not deal that makes sense, we have two (first-round draft choices) and possibly four seconds.”
- Eric Stephens via twitter: Saku Koivu wants to return to the Ducks next year and is hopeful something can get done.
- Chip Alexander via twitter: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said that Rod Brind’Amour will be a full-time assistant coach next season.
- Chris Johnston via twitter: Phil Kessel wont’ play for the U.S. team at the World Championships due to a wrist injury.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Lindy Ruff is expected to be the head coach of Canada at the World Championships. Guy Boucher and Kirk Muller expected to be assistants.
