- Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette: There was a report yesterday that UFA defenseman Andrei Markov had rejected a 1 year, $5.75 million contract from the Canadiens.“All I can tell you is that (Canadiens general manager) Pierre Gauthier and I have agreed to deal with (Markov’s) status at the end of the year and not now,” Meehan said late in the afternoon from Edmonton.“I haven’t talked to anybody (about the report) and I wouldn’t talk to anybody about any discussions I’ve had with Pierre. I could waste my whole day dealing with rumours from Montreal.”
- Tony Marinaro via twitter: Sources are saying that Andrei Markov wants to rejoin the Canadiens if they go deep in the playoffs but his surgeon has ruled that out.
- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Pascal Leclaire’s days with the Senators appear to be over, as he’ll be rehabbing his hip for 3 to 4 months after surgery. He isn’t worried about finding a job next year. “Right now, fix my leg, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “And after that, we’ll figure something out. That’s why we have agents. I have a lot of confidence in (agent) Don Meehan. I haven’t become a bad goalie because I got hurt. I was playing pretty well this year.”
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau Alex Ovechkin and Jason Arnott are expected to practice on Monday.
- Arthur Staple via twitter: Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald has a torn labrum that will require surgery. He’s done for the year and possibly into next year.
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik has missed the last 13 games witha broken finger, but is expected back next week.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Kari Lehtonen will get the start for the Stars against the Predators.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Avalanche: The Avalanche will soon announce that they have signed prospect Tyson Barrie to an entry level deal. In the last 2 weeks they have signed Calvin Pickard, Stefan Elliot and Joey Hishon.