- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The New York Rangers and Marc Staal continue to work towards a deal that could happen by the start of training camp on Friday. The contract they are working on could be longer than 4 years. The Rangers own his rights for 4 years (would be a restricted free agent), so going over 4 years the Rangers would have to spend a bit more money to buy back some of his unrestricted free agent years. Comparisons could be Shea Weber ($4.5 million), Ryan Suter ($3.5 million) and Brent Seabrook ($3.5 million), though none of those deals bought in to the UFA years.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: The New Jersey Devils can appeal the League’s decision by going to the NHL Board of Governors.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Bryce Salvador and Colin White are said to be available, only one would need to go.
- Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Roberto Luongo gave up the Canucks team captaincy, with possibly Henrik Sedin taking over the duties. Ryan Kesler is also an option for the team.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Rick Nash will start training camp on right wing, but coach Scott Arniel said not to read into much in the first couple days of camp.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Vesa Toskala turned down a deal from the Calgary Flames earlier this summer that would have paid over $1 million. He turned it down as he wants to a number 1 goalie. A Swedish team had interest in him, but the asking price was too high. Other European options are available.
- Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: The Vancouver Canucks have invited Peter Schaefer to training camp. Schaefer was bought out by the Bruins before last season. He’ll battle for a 3rd – 4th line spot.
- Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: Daymond Langkow hasn’t been fully cleared for the Calgary Flames training camp. Langkow has been recovering for over 5 months from a fractured vertebrae at the base of his neck after being hit with a puck.
- Toronto Sun: The Canadian government may not put up the roughly $180 million needed for a NHL arena in Quebec City. Prime Minister Steven Harper said there are other NHL and CFL teams that are looking for some money. “We’re all fans of professional sports, we know they’re important to our communities,” Harper said. “But professional sports are first and foremost the responsibility of the private sector.”
- Sean Gordon of the Globe and Mail: Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier has been under fire from fans and media this summer. The trading of Jaroslav Halak didn’t sit well with some, and the QMJHL commissioner said the Canadiens “don’t take the scouting and signing of Quebec-born players seriously enough.” Andrei Markov and Brian Gionta are the leading candidates to be the teams next captain. Lars Ellar (brought over in the Halak trade) and PK Subban could crack the lineup. The Canadiens have 20 players on 1-way contracts.