- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: There’s 12 days until the start of Bruins camp and Brad Marchand still hasn’t re-signed. GM Peter Chiarelli and agent Wade Arnott won’t comment. 3 comparables that will likely be used are: James van Riemsdyk’s 6 years and $25.5 million, Logan Couture 2 years at $5.75 million, and on the low end Nathan Gerbe 3 years at $4.3 million. Shinzawa thinks Marchand should come in just under Couture’s deal, possibly a 2 year deal at $5 million.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Simmons thinks the NHLPA should poll it’s members to see if they think fighting should stay in the NHL and the ones doing the fighting deserve to be heard.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: The Blues may have only 2 spots open on their 23 man roster heading into training camp which starts on the 16th. David Perron won’t be ready for camp. The Blues have 12 forwards and 5 defenseman (Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk are on 2-way deals but will be with the team) on 1-way contracts. Basically Chris Porter, Evgeny Grachev, Jonathan Cheechoo and Ryan Reaves will be battling for the final 2 spots.
- Arthur Staple via twitter: Forward Jay Pandolfo accepted a tryout from the New York Islanders.
- Katie Strang via twitter: Bryan McCabe and Sergei Samsonov are likely reluctant to accept a tryout invite and are hoping for a deal. They might wait and see if there are training camp injuries.
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: The Wild’s lines could look like: Mikko Koivu-Devin Setoguchi-Dany Heatley, Matt Cullen-Guillaume Latendresse-P-M Bouchard. Darroll Powe-Kyle Brodziak-Cal Clutterbuck, Colton Gillies-Eric Nystrom-Brad Staubitz.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Eric Belanger signed a 3 year deal with the Oilers earlier this off-season, his 7th team since the lockout. It will be his oldest daughter (8 years old) 4th school in 4 years. “It’s the reality of the new NHL. You see lots of guys moving around. It’s not a bad thing. It means lots of teams want you. You’re doing something right. I actually was in one organization for 10 years, in Los Angeles. But since the lockout, I have moved around. Every place I’ve been has been nice,” he said.
