- Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times: Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane still has his cast on his left wrist, but is sure he’ll be ready for the season opener.
‘‘It’s been a long time, and I’m anxious to start the season,’’ Kane said Saturday as he and four teammates took part in Blackhawks Day at U.S. Cellular Field. ‘‘I think I’ll be ready right away. I think once I get this off, I’ll be able to do pretty much anything. I practiced with the guys the other day, just trying to keep up with skating. I think just strengthening it will be the only thing.’
- Bruce Garrioch via twitter: With the Bruins training camp approaching and with no contract for Brad Marchand, the Bruins are sniffing around to see what his trade value is. “For those doubting the Bruins shopping Marchand. Don’t.” Garrioch doesn’t think the gap is insurmoutable but the Bruins may want to see what they can get for him after 1 good year.
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: The Bruins and David Krejci had started contract extension talks. Krejci should be the teams number 1 center and is entering the final year of his 3 year, $11.25 million deal. He could see a deal similar to Patrice Bergeron’s 3 year, $15 million deal.
- Jim Jamieson of the Vancouver Province: The Vancouver Canucks will have a spot in their top 6 open due to Ryan Kesler’s offseason hip surgery and with Mason Raymond out still with his fractured vertebrae. Cody Hodgson, Chris Higgins, Marco Sturm and Bill Sweatt will be vying for a spot.
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Cooper lists 5 prospects Predators fans should watch: Chet Prickard, Ryan Ellis, Craig Smith, Roman Josi and Austin Watson.
- Katie Carrrera of the Washington Post: Though the Capitals have 7 defenseman on 1-way contracts, not including Tom Poti, prospect Dmitry Orlov may push those ahead of him on the depth chart. Other Capitals prospects to watch are forward Cody Eakin, Mattias Sjogren and Stanislav Galiev.
