- Gord McIntyre of the Vancouver Province: Canucks GM Mike Gillis said on Team 1040 that he hasn’t been given a list of teams that Roberto Luongo is willing to waive his no trade clause.
“We’ve met, but we’ve decided we’ll take our time and talk in the next few days over the phone,” Gillis said. “I’m not quite sure why something like that would be out there.”
“I think we all need to take a deep breath,” Gillis said. “The early exit from the playoffs, not meeting our expectations, can lead you to make some pretty poor decisions in a real hurry.
“I think we all need to step back for a couple of days and not do anything – think about it then begin to plan out what we want to do with this team over the summer for the coming season.
“It’s a little premature to start down that path already.”
- Darren Dreger of TSN: It is believed that Luongo would prefer be traded to a Florida team. The Maple Leafs and Blackhawks are also on the list, though Luongo could be leery of heading to the competitive market of Toronto and the “emotional scars” that may exist with the Blackhawks. The Leafs, Blackhawks and Lightning could use goaltending help. The Canucks may have to take salary back to move Luongo. With regards to the Maple Leafs, the Canucks may have to take a contract like Mike Komisarek, who has 2 years at $4.5 million per.
- Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: If Luongo was to make his way to Tampa Bay, the Canucks may have to take some salary back. Vinny Lecavalier is on a 11 year, $85 million deal. Many think that Ryan Malone and his $4.5 million cap hit could be key to a deal. Yzerman and Guy Boucher are big fans of him though. If they did move Lecavalier or Malone for Luongo, it would create an even bigger hole in their top 6. It’s an area they are already looking to improve, even before a potential trade.
- James Mirtle via twitter: One way for the Maple Leafs to fit Luongo into their salary cap would be to buy out Mike Komisarek and Matthew Lombardi/Colby Armstrong. In an ideal situation they would trade them.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Flyers Nicklas Grossmann took part in practice yesterday in a ‘contact’ jersey. It appears he’ll be ready to start of their round 2 series. Defenseman Andrej Meszaros skated for a bit at the end of practice wearing a back brace.
- Greg Sullivan of the Tennessean: Predators defenseman Hal Gill is progressing with his lower body injury.
“He’s moving pretty good,” Trotz said. “He’s practiced and he’s had a little more of the grind and the battles that he needed to have to see where he is. Right now he’s on track and I expect him to play in the series.”
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: At the end of the IIHF World Championships, the Blues and their fans may find out if prospect Vladimir Tarasenko will sign with the team or head back to the KHL.
- Tom Reed via twitter: Reed points out that it’s easy to see why the Blue Jackets wanted to have Chris Kreider in a Rick Nash deal. If he wasn’t off the market then, he will be now.