- Elliotte Freidman of CBC: The Penguins and Sidney Crosby’s side haven’t gotten that far in negotiations, despite the 10 year, $90 million deal that is rumored. The cap hit could be around the $9 million mark though. It’s highly unlikely that Crosby’s deal will be insured against concussions. GMs are saying there is lots of conversations about who might be available and what is wanted for them.
“There are a lot of guys who don’t like their teams,” one exec said. “And the free-agent market isn’t great. Right now, it seems like most feel if you really want to fix your team, a trade is the best way to go.”
There is one theory that if John Davidson goes to Columbus, Rick Nash may change his mind. On the rumors of Luke Schenn and swap of 1st round picks between the Oilers and Maple Leafs: “And I do believe the Oilers like Schenn and have discussed his availability before. But I just can’t see it happening for the first-overall selection. That’s not enough. It’ll be interesting, though, to see how many teams think Schenn will be better off outside Toronto. Sounds like the Maple Leafs are aware of that and, as a result, ask for a lot in return.” Justin Schultz informed the Ducks he will test free agency. Ducks GM Bob Murray will meet with Teemu Selanne this week.
- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke was furious at reports from Hockey Night in Canada that Leafs could trade Luke Schenn to the Oilers for the 1st overall pick.
“Typical of Hockey Night,” said Burke. “I have never discussed this trade or any trade involving Luke Schenn to Edmonton.”
- Toronto Sun: Predators GM David Poile confirmed they won’t be bringing Andrei Kostitsyn back next year. The Goldwater Institute will go to court over the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes. They will fight the City of Glendale on the approval of a 20 year, $300 million management fee. Wild Guillaume Latendresse is healthy but realizes he won’t get a qualifying offer from the Wild. Latendresse still wants to work something out so that he can stay.
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: It may make sense for the Canadiens to trade their #3 overall pick or to move down in the draft only if they get an established player back. The Canadiens shouldn’t trade P.K. Subban.
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: 4 moves the Oilers must make if they want to contend for the 2013 playoffs. 1. Bring in a veteran goalie who can compete with Devan Dubnyk for the #1 spot. 2. Sign or trade for a as strong a defenseman as they can get. 3. Make the safest pick with the #1 pick — Nail Yakupov. 4. Put Shawn Horcoff and Eric Belanger on the checking lines — make them the Oilers 3rd and 4th line centers.