- The New York Times: The NY Islanders have locked Kyle Okposo (23) up for 5 years, at $14 million. Okposo was drafted 7th overall in 2006. He missed the first 44 games last year with a lorn labrum. In 192 career games he’s scored 44 goals and added 72 assists. He’ll make $1 million next year, $2 million in 2012-13, $3 million in 2013-14, $3.5 million in 2014-15 and $4.5 million in 2015-16.
- Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News: Not only did Sharks center Joe Thornton have a separated shoulder in Game 5, but he’s been dealing with a pinky injury since the regular season, which ended up bothering his wrist.
“My pinky went in a different direction than it was supposed to,” Thornton said. “The top just got cut off and they had to put it back together. It happened with a couple games left in the regular season. That surgery probably will happen tomorrow.”
His shoulder injury won’t require surgery. The full list of other injured Sharks isn’t known yet. Jason Demers missed the Vancouver series. Ryane Clowe’s upper-body injury “needs to be repaired.”
“It was a lot of guys, and I think that’s a good sign,” McLellan said. “We were bumped, banged and bruised a lot more this year than last season. No one ever wants to be hurt, but that’s a good sign.”
UFA defenseman Ian White said he’d like to return next year.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: A challenge for Sharks GM Doug Wilson is to improve the blueline, bringing in a top-four defenseman. Dany Heatley struggled again in the playoffs (3 goals in 18 games) and has 3 years at a $7.5 million cap hit. RFA Devin Setoguchi has been inconsistent and the Sharks could explore a trade at the draft. Joe Pavelski’s production this playoffs dropped compared to last year, 17 points in 15 games to 10 points in 18 games.
- Craig Custance of the SportingNews: Predators coach Barry Trotz on teams thinking of about giving Shea Weber an offer sheet,
“We’ll just match it,” Trotz told Sporting News. “I can tell you, whatever they offer, it’ll just get matched.”
and added,
“I know he’s going to get done. I can tell you that,” Trotz said. “They’ve had some good discussions.”
- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Lavoie reports True North will pay a total of $170 million to move the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg, $130 to buy the team and $40 for relocation fees.