Jeremy Rutherford via twitter: The Blues and Vladimir Tarasenko have agreed in principle to a contract. It will be signed on July 1st.
Spector’s Hockey via twitter: Rangers Marian Gaborik had a torn rotator cup that will require surgery and will be out 5-6 months.
Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson said at the Draft Combine that they are still considering 4 or 5 guys at the #2 spot.
Kevin Paul Dupont via twitter: The Bruins are not able to file salary arbitration for Tuukka Rask before July 1st. There is approximately a week where he can field RFA offers.
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche and David Jones’ agent have held preliminary discussions on a new deal.
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Predators GM David Poile met with Ryan Suter and his agent on Thursday.
“I think there’s good progress, we talked about some of the same things, also some new things,” Poile told ESPN.com on Friday. “He’s not saying anything that makes me feel that he doesn’t want to play in Nashville. I think we’re all on the same page. But he has to make a decision. He wants to talk to his family and to Neil Sheehy some more. The process will just continue.”
“We talked about many issues,” Sheehy told ESPN.com on Friday. “Both sides were candid with each other. What we agreed to do is to continue our dialogue. Ryan, it’s no secret, loves Nashville. Ryan is just considering a lot of things. But David gave us more things to think about.”
“Based on the conversations, I do not feel that’s going to happen, no,” Poile said.
“I don’t want to speak for Ryan, but there’s nothing that indicates that there’s anything that’s negative with him re-signing with Nashville. The conversations are always pro-Nashville, our city, our team, his role …”
Steve Harris of the Boston Herald: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli confirmed that goalie Tim Thomas is considering sitting out next year.
“Tim came to me toward the beginning or middle of May and told me he’s seriously considering taking the year off,” said Chiarelli. “The reason why, I’m not exactly sure. He did give some reasons regarding his family.When you hear someone say, ‘Seriously considering,’ he’s probably going to do it.
“Right now I’m operating under the probability that he’ll take the year off and we’ll have to operate without Tim Thomas. I’m a little disappointed — more than a little. But these things happen and you’ve got to deal with them. When someone talks about their family, you’ve got to respect it.”
The Bruins would likely suspend him, but the $5 million salary cap hit would still be on the books. Thomas would owe the Bruins another year of service.
Craig Custance of ESPN: If the Devils can’t lock up Zach Parise, and the same for Ryan Suter and the Predators, both teams may look at dealing their rights. Red Wings GM Ken Holland said they may pursue trading for someones rights.
“If they’re available — you can’t force things,” Holland said Thursday. “I’m back to planning, sitting here with our people and making our plan, putting things on our board. Are we prepared to acquire somebody’s rights at the draft? Yeah, absolutely, if the price is right and it’s a player we’re interested in.”
