Brett Cyrgalis of the NY Post: There is still no timetable for a Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky return. “I can’t skate. I’ve been trained the right way,” referring to not giving much injury information.
Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Ducks prospect Justin Schultz may become one of the top free agents this year without ever playing a NHL game. Schultz was a 2nd round pick in 2008 and spent 4 years at Wisconsin. Ducks GM Bob Murray has been in contact with Schultz’s advisor, Wade Arnoott, and hope to get a decision from Schultz soon. Schultz is writing exams and should be finished next week. Sometime after that an answer to if he’ll sign with the Ducks or hit the free agent market on July 1st should be known.
Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Canucks coach Alain Vigneault could receive an extension that mirrors his 3 year deal he got in 2009. GM Mike Gillis will be busy with trading Roberto Luongo, re-signing Cory Schneider, finding a 3rd line center, deciding what to do with Mason Raymond and Manny Malhotra, and some concerns on the blueline.
Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane is back in the news for the wrong reasons. “Not more than a few weeks into it, photos of an allegedly intoxicated Kane attending the Mifflin Street Block Party on Cinco de Mayo in Madison, Wis., were published on deadspin.com. They showed Kane cavorting with college students, apparently passed out at a bar and, in one, appearing to walk away while talking with a police officer.” There have also been reports that he choked a woman before getting tossed from the party and making an anti-semitic slur in another altercation. Kane and the Blackhawks are not commenting. Is Kane wearing out his welcome in Chicago? The Blackhawks shouldn’t give up on him, and work with him to improve his image.
Washington Post: Capitals coach Dale Hunter needs to decide if he wants to continue coaching the Capitals or return to coaching and operating the OHL’s London Knights. On Capitals GM George McPhee’s offseason to-do list: Does he want to bring Alex Semin back? He has to make decisions on UFAs Mike Knuble, Tomas Vokoun, Jeff Halpern, Keith Aucoin and Dennis Wideman. Wideman may be looking for a raise from his $4.5 million salary. Mike Green, John Carlson, Jay Beagle and Mathieu Perreault will be RFAs. Braden Holtby may have put himself ahead of Michal Neuvirth heading into training camp.
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: It will be surprising if the Flyers don’t offer Ryan Suter a large front loaded contract that the Predators would have trouble matching.
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs assistant coach Scott Gordon, who’s been coaching Team USA at the World Championships has told people he isn’t sure if he’s returning next to the Leafs next year. Scott Arniel has been rumored to become an assistant and Gordon and probably Geg Cronin will be let go. If Dale Hunter doesn’t return to the Capitals next season, names that could end up there are: Paul Maurice, Marc Crawford and Bob Hartley.
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Rangers need a winger like Rick Nash to “book-end” Marian Gaborik. Some sources say that Brandon Dubinsky, Jan Erixon, J.T. Miller and maybe Stepan were on table at the trade deadline. Howson wanted Chris Kreider and/or Michael Del Zotto. Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson is said to be lukewarm on Dubinsky. Saku Koivu’s $3 million deal with games-played bonuses may be something the Oilers and Ryan Smyth can use. Paul Maurice may go coach Magnitogorsk of the KHL next year. Matheson wonders if the Blues would offer up T.J. Oshie or David Perron for a Dman that could play with Alex Pietrangelo on the top pairing. Matheson can see the Flyers trading for Ryan Suter’s rights. Some think that Alexander Radulov’s “party-boy antics” will be forgotten when contract talks start. Some think that both Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn have burned their bridges with the Predators. Some think that the Predators will trade Radulov’s rights. The Blue Jackets could offer back the 1st round pick the Kings owe them in 2012 or 2013 for Jonathan Bernier. The Devils will likely forfeit their 1st round pick this June from the Kovalchuk contract issue. They are in the bottom 4.