- David Pagnotta: The GTA Sports and Entertainment in an email after they were unable to submit an expansion application. They still plan to focus on a GTA area and “hope that another such opportunity presents itself in the future.” The $2 million non-refundable fee was factor, and many have said that a second team out of the ACC is “highly unlikely.” If a group wants a second team in Toronto, it will need it’s own arena. The problem is they can’t build a new arena without an NHL team.
- Bloge Salming: “Does anybody really believe a prospective 2nd Toronto team owner is really scared off by the expansion fee or 2 million non refundable fee? This all comes down to territorial rights war that neither Bettman nor the Leafs want to wage right now.”
- Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Alex Chiasson is asking for $2.475 million in salary arbitration, with the Senators coming in at $1 million. It is thought that the Senators will win their case. The Senators other arbitration hearing is with Mike Hoffman, and schedule for July 30th.
- Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: Lance Bouma is asking for $2.5 million in arbitration, with the Flames coming in at $1.5 million. The Flames also have Josh Jooris and Paul Byron scheduled for hearings next week. The Flames have to sign RFAs Michael Ferland and Turner Elson. RFA David Wolf decided to return to Germany for next season.
- Brendan Savage of MLive: The Red Wings have signed RFA Teemu Pulkkinen to a one-year, $735,000 deal. Tomas Jurco is the lone unsigned RFA. Pulkkinen scored 34 goals in 46 games in the AHL last year. He got into 31 games with the Red Wings, recording five goals and three assists. GM Ken Holland has said that Pulkkinen will be on their opening day roster.
- Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: The Maple Leafs have hired one of the Red Wings top European scouts in Ari Vuori. Vuori will be their new head of European scouting. Leafs main European scout Thommie Bergman is cutting back on his scouting as he’s entering his late 60s.
- Tom Gulitti of The Record: Devils Ryane Clowe’s status remains unclear if he’ll be able to return from his concussions.
“Nothing new to report as of now,” Clowe said Monday via text.
