Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson wonders if Jason Spezza would be good fit for the Oilers, and if the same players they offered up for Dany Heatley could get it done? Spezza is due to make $35 million over the next 5 years, so his $7 million salary would basically be the same as Dustin Penner’s ($4.25 million), Ladislav Smid ($1.3 million) and Andrew Cogliano (RFA, $1.13 million last season). The Oilers would then have Spezza and Horcoff down the middle, and could draft Taylor Hall. With the Senators adding Smid, it could help off-set the loss of Anton Volchenkov if they can’t re-sign him.
Sean Fitz-Gerald (CP) from the Globe and Mail: Jason Spezza told reporters he’s happy in Ottawa, and won’t talk about what was said during his conversation with Bryan Murray as seasons end.
Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Allen senses the Oilers would prefer a young center over a young winger, therefore maybe favoring Seguin over Hall. This would please the Bruins, but them may consider moving up to ensure they get Hall. Allen wonders if the Lightning would be interested in trading for Carey Price, with the Canadiens trading for a young goalie or drafting Calvin Pickard. Depending on how much Evgeni Nabokov wants (and Marty Turc), the Sharks could go with a Thomas Greiss and Turco combo in net. Allen thinks the Kings will go after Patrick Marleau, instead of Ilya Kovalchuk, mainly due to their familiarity for their San Jose days.
Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: The Minnesota Wild’s management and coaching staff have already discussed free agency, and potential trade partner, but they’ll be meeting soon to discuss their own potential roster. Potential young guys that could move up, Nate Prosser, Marco Scandella, Tyler Cuma and Justin Falk. UFA that probably won’t be are Shane Hnidy and John Scott. The Wild are already at about $45.5 million for next year for 15 players, not including RFAs Guillaume Latendresse, Josh Harding and James Sheppard. Those 3 should be re-signed for somewhere inthe $5-6 million range, leaving $7-8 million to fill out the roster. Due to the weak free agent market and limited cap space, trades are more likely than free agent signings.
Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post: It has been rumored that the Washington Capitals were going to take a run at signing Anton Volchenkov in the $5 million per season range. A source close with the team told El-Bashir “are not going to make him an offer”.
Dave Molinari of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: It had been rumored that the Penguins were hoping on signing Swedish defeseman Johan Fransson, but his rights are still owned by the LA Kings, and would have had to forfeit those rights by June 1st. It’s also reported that he signed a 2-year deal with Dynamo Minsk of the KHL.
