- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: After trading Ladislav Smid to the Flames, the Oilers have a hole on defense. Defensemen who could be available: Kyle Quincey (DET), Tim Gleason (CAR), Dmitry Kulikov (FLA) and David Rundblad (PHO). Rumors that Avalanche could be interested in Kulikov. The Oilers are at 49 contracts and would likely want to move one out if they were to bring in someone.
- Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News: Rangers GM Glen Sather has spoken with seven of their pending UFAs, including Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi and Anton Stralman.
“We’ve been speaking to all their agents,” said Sather, who clarified that all other contract negotiations are a work in progress because “in my mind, Henrik was the one who had to be signed first.”
Sather will also have to decide if they will use their second compliance buyout on Brad Richards.
“That’s the business we live in,” Richards, a close friend of Lundqvist’s, told the Daily News of a potential buyout. “I wouldn’t change it for the world. We play hockey every day. That’s out of my control. But like I told you last year, I plan on playing the next six, seven years, and hopefully it’s all here (in New York). That’s never gonna change. If it does, you move on.”
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Jeff Marek said that sources are saying the Avalanche are interested in Panthers Dmitry Kulikov.
- Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “Sabres aren’t getting closer to hiring a GM. In fact, I think they’re expanding their list”