- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch lists some buyout candidates: 1. Ilya Bryzgalov (PHI) – $23 million spread out over 14 years. 2. Roberto Luongo (VAN) – $27 million and on the Canucks payroll until 2031. 3. Brad Richards (NYR) – $27 million and on the payroll until 2027.The NHL had meetings to discuss making the nets bigger in an attempt to increase scoring. No one really believes that it will happen.
Terry Murray could replace Peter Laviolette if the Flyers decide to fire him.
There could be house-cleaning this summer in Colorado. President Pierre Lacroix, GM Greg Sherman and coach Joe Sacco could all be fired. Joe Sakic could take over, which could lead to a Patrick Roy return.
It doesn’t look like Jets UFA defenseman Ron Hainsey will be back. The Flyers will be among the teams interested.
The Flyers will make another run at defenseman Keith Yandle.
The Red Wings had calls on Valtteri Filppula at the deadline but decided to keep him. Teams that called were the Penguins, Bruins, Maple Leafs and Rangers.
Two GM’s on the hotseat could be Sabres Darcy Regier and Stars Joe Nieuwendyk. Canadiens assist GM Rick Dudley could be fit in Buffalo. Brian Burke’s name has been mentioned as a possible Stars replacement. Burke has also been linked to the Rangers if Glen Sather steps aside.
- Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Zeisberger lists his top 10 UFAs, but not in order: 1. Jarome Iginla 2. Nathan Horton 3. Stephen Weiss 4. Ryane Clowe 5. Patrik Elias 6. Niklas Backstrom 7. Sergei Gonchar 8. Derek Roy 9. Mike Ribeiro 10. Tyler Bozak
- Eliotte Friedman: The Swedish Ice Hockey Federation was arguing that Carl Soderberg was under contract until May 15th. The NHL ruled that, that wasn’t the case as his Swedish team gave him his release. Dominic Tiano: Soderberg is leaving Sweden on Monday. James Murphy of ESPN Boston: He’ll join the team on Wednesday.
“We are fortunate to get a player like Carl at this stage of the season,” Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said in a release. “I would like to thank the President of the Linkoping hockey club, Mike Helber and their GM, Johan Hemlin, in playing a significant part in allowing Carl to play for the Boston Bruins. Carl is a big, strong, two-way center who can also play wing. We look forward to him joining our team this week.”
- Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Brennan thinks that if the Senators could fit UFA wings David Clarkson into their budget this summer, they should do it. There would be lots of competition for him.