- Craig Custance of ESPN: Sharks Dan Boyle’s contract expires at the end of the season.
“I talked to Doug yesterday,” said Boyle’s agent, George Bazos, when we chatted Sunday afternoon. “We’ll continue to talk. Both sides want to get something done.”
Fair market value for Boyle could be three years at $15 million. Because of the 35+ rule, the Sharks could offer a one-year deal with bonuses. A compromise deal could be something like Sergei Gonchar’s two year, $10 contract.
- Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News: The Rangers will have five restricted and seven unrestricted free agents this summer. The Rangers have held preliminary talks with Mats Zuccarello. Zuccarello is second on the team in goals and points and has arbitration rights. The Rangers and Ryan Callahan have had ongoing discussions, with Callahan’s agent, Stephen Bartlett saying they hope to get something done and they remain optimistic.
- Bob McKenzie: (late morning yesterday) McKenzie doesn’t think the Wild are close to a deal with anyone. They may need a goalie. If Josh Harding is going to be out long-term, with only five games left before the Olympic break, they may wait until after the break to get a better update on his status.
- Chad Graff: The price tag for Ryan Miller is too high right now and the Wild don’t want to give up a lot for a rental. Have been told that the Wild are “absolutely not” trading Charlie Coyle or Mikael Granlund.
- Chad Graff of the Pioneer Press: The Wild sent two prospects and two picks to the Sabres last year for Jason Pominville and are less likely to make a deal involves their young prospects.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out, but those deals are hard to make,” general manager Chuck Fletcher said. “It’s tough to give up multiple assets on a yearly basis and stay competitive long-term, so you’re balancing the long term with the short term. Certainly, we’re happy with the deal last year, but that’s a difficult deal to make on a yearly basis.
“Any deal (we do) has to make sense in the long- and the short-term perspective, in my opinion, for where we’re at in the arch of our franchise.”
Barring an injury to Darcy Keumper and Niklas Backstrom, it’s unlikely the Wild would make a trade Ryan Miller, someone who they wouldn’t be interested in re-signing. The Wild are optimistic that Josh Harding will be able to re-join the team after the Olympic break.
- Bob McKenzie: Though there are lots of Ryan Miller rumors, McKenzie doesn’t sense anything if imminent. Things can obviously change quickly. (late morning yesterday)
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: It is shaping up to be a tough next six weeks for Flyers GM Paul Holmgren.
“It’s obviously different than in years past,” Holmgren said yesterday. “You don’t get a real deadline to work with. We play six games before the Olympics, and then we come back and only have another games to make a move.
“Right now, it’s getting to the point where we need to see what we have, see what’s out there and make a move if we’re going to do it.”
Holmgren believes in their team nucleus, but their will continue to look at the market.
“That doesn’t mean if something comes up now and for the future, that we wouldn’t think about it,” Holmgren said. “We’ll continue to look around. But it would have to be something that makes sense for both.”
The Flyers could use a No. 1 defenseman, but it’s unlikely that one would become available at the deadline. Sources saying that Panthers Mike Weaver and Avalanche’s Ryan Wilson are available.
- William DePaoli: Clear that Penguins coach Dan Bylsma would endorse the addition of winger Matt Moulson. The Penguins do like him, but they expect a bidding war for him.
- Dennis Bernstein: When asked what it would cost the Kings to get Andrew Ladd, Bernstein responds with the Jets are playing a lot better under Paul Maurice and may not be looking to sell yet.
- Adrian Dater via Sulia: Scouting the Avalanche-Stars: Red Wings, Ducks, Jets, Rangers and Blues.