Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The NHLPA would like to see the trapezoid removed to help protect defenseman.
Whether Ryan Miller is with Blues next year will depend on what post-season success they have and what his salary demands are. The Canucks may be a good option for Miller. The Ducks could be another option if he would take a three or four year deal in the $5 million per season range.
Joe Nieuwendyk may be at the top of the Flames GM search list. George McPhee could become a candidate. He doesn’t have a contract beyond July 1st.
The Flyers haven’t held contract talks with Steve Downie. He’d like to stay. Talk is they offered him around the league at the deadline.
The Canadiens were the only team that would take Thomas Vanek without having the Islanders pick up money. The Kings, Penguins, Senators, Wild and Sharks were interested.
The Avalanche and Paul Stastny won’t hold talks until the offseason. Stastny may get offers in the $6.5 to $7 million if he goes to the open market.
A third round pick was the best a team offered the Flames for Mike Cammalleri.
Corey Pronman: “Elliotte Friedman says consideration for draft lottery include draws for top 3/5, and weighing 1-14 picks by 5 year history of those slots Win%”
Hotstove: Backstrom and the Olympics … Markus Nasland and the Canucks … GM meetings