- Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Red Wings defenseman Niklas Lidstrom will meet with GM Ken Holland in a few weeks, then mull over the decision to retire or not for few weeks. He will likely reach a decision before July 1st.
“I’m going to take my time on my decision here in the next little while,” said Lidstrom after Thursday’s 3-2 loss. “I’m now sure how long it’ll take but we’ll have our year-end meetings and go on from there.”
- Matthew Sekeres of the Globe and Mail: The Canucks salary cap number for next year sits around $44 million, and they may have trouble affording both Kevin Bieksa and Christian Ehrhoff. Both will be UFA’s and looking to make some good money next year. Ehrhoff is coming off a 50 point season and will likely be looking for money than Bieksa. Bieksa might take a hometown discount.
- Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic: Ilya Bryzgalov’s agent and Coyotes GM Don Maloney will be today.
“We’d like to sign him to a contract that makes sense to him and sense to us, but he may want more than what we’re prepared to pay. If that’s the case, then we’ll have to deal with it if it comes down to it.”
- Will DePaoli via twitter: The Penguins have yet to set timetables to talk with any of their pending UFA’s or RFA Tyler Kennedy.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: It doesn’t look like the Avalanche don’t have any plans to re-sign free agent goalie Peter Budaj.
- Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun Times: Blackhawks winger Troy Brouwer underwent shoulder surgery on Tuesday to repair a labral tear. He’s expected to be ready by next season. He’s also a RFA who made $1.050 million last year. His goal production dropped to 17 last year, but he did record 262 hits.
- Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: Sources are saying the Flyers will host the 2012 Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park on Jan. 2nd.
- Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: Ville Leino recorded 53 points for the Flyers last year, and if he wants more than $3.2 million, he likely won’t be back with the Flyers next year. He turned down 3 and 4 year deals worth $9 and $12 million back in February. Team chairman Ed Snider recently said they need to trade some players to gain cap space. Jeff Carter and his $5.27 million cap hit is the most likely candidate, with the Maple Leafs as one of the teams that would be interested. His contract runs 11 years.