- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Sources saying that Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill will replace GM Joe Nieuwendyk in Dallas. Andy Strickland: Confirms reports that Nill will replace Nieuwendyk.
- Erik Erlendsson: Erlendsson doesn’t see the Lightning buying out Ryan Malone or Teddy Purcell. Trading Malone is a possibility.
- The Fourth Period: It’s thought that the Flames were close to trading Cory Sarich at the deadline. Teams also called about Lee Stempniak, Curtis Glencross and Alex Tanguay. GM Jay Feaster has indicated that he isn’t really interested in trading Glencross. If Miikka Kiprusoff retires, the Flames will be on the lookout for a new No.1 goalie.
- Mike Vogl: The Capitals signed Michal Neuvirth to a 2-year, $5 million extension. He’ll earn $2.4 million next year, and $2.6 million the following year.
- Eric Stephens: Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau won’t name is starting goalie for Game 1, but added that he’s known who it will be for awhile.
- Andi Petrilli: (Canucks lose 7-2, 6 goals in the third) Canucks Roberto Luongo was off the ice, undressed, showered and out of the arena in 12 minutes. Jason Botchford: “I’m not sure how furious Luongo is. He should be used to getting hung out there and embarrassed by now.”
- Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: The Jets have nine RFAs, including: Zach Bogosian, Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. Wiebe thinks they should lock up Bogosian to a max-length eight year deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $48 to 50 million.
“You never know. It’s a negotiation. It’s not something that usually happens overnight. “I don’t really know what I’m expecting as far as how smooth or how not smooth it’s going to go,” said Bogosian. “Yeah, I’ve really kind of settled in here and I’ve enjoyed my time. Whether it’s two years, eight years or 10 years, I’m going to enjoy playing here.
“I’m looking forward to that next step. I want to be part of the solution moving forward, as far as getting in the playoffs and winning a championship.”
Wheeler will be looking for a raise from his $2.55 million, and could get a long-term deal.
Little should get a multi-year deal for more than the $3 million he was making.
Alex Burmistrov is an interesting case, as some think he could bolt for the KHL or could use a fresh start with a new organization.
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Sabres Thomas Vanek has thought that Friday’s game could have been his last in a Sabres uniform.
“Let’s be honest,” Vanek said. “I’m not stupid. I know I have a year left and they can probably deal me for prospects, young guys, whatever else is out there. Yeah, I’ve thought about it. If it looks like it’s a long rebuild, then it probably makes sense for both parties to move on.”
“I don’t know what the plan is,” Vanek said. “If they’re turning it over to the younger guys, it’s a turnover. Or are they going to build around us again? It’s all speculation at this point because you guys don’t know and I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Sabres Ryan Miller also realizes that his days could be number.
“Around this stage of a contract, you have to be realistic,” Miller said. “In the last year of your deal, if you’re not part of the plan, you become an asset that’s tradable. So I’m just trying to stay open to coming back and trying to stay excited about playing hockey games in the NHL if it’s not going to work out.”
