- Darren Dreger via twitter: Rick Nash’s agent, Joe Resnick will meet with Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson this afternoon. You have to think that he’ll be encouraging a trade.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: The same teams are in on both Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan. If one player is moved, the other may go quickly afterwards.
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: The Sabres need to add some size up front. Last year their top 2 centers were 5′ 9″ and their 3rd line center weighs 185 pounds. Either through the draft or trade, they hope to get bigger up the middle this weekend.
“If there is a position that we’re focused in on it’s probably in the middle still,” Buffalo General Manager Darcy Regier said. “Tyler Ennis obviously did an excellent job, and so did Cody Hodgson. Derek Roy is a known commodity. You can look at a size factor, and that’s certainly one area we’re looking in.”
“I’m not talking about a one-year fix or a player that is going to be looking at becoming an unrestricted free agent and you don’t think you’re going to have the ability to sign and keep, then you’re going to lean more toward the draft,” Regier said. “If you have the opportunity to add someone who’s either under contract or is a high-profile player at a reasonable – whatever reasonable accounts for these days – cost, then certainly that’s something we’ll pursue.”
- Mike Brophy of Sportsnet: One of Brian Burke’s priorities is to get some experience to fill some holes in his lineup. There has been more talk on Roberto Luongo and Rick Nash than the #5 pick. The Leafs are not a big team, nor are they hard to play against. The Canucks have to trade Luongo, and the Maple Leafs getting him would be a step in the right direction to make the playoffs. Other targets could be: Brandon Prust, Bobby Ryan, Jordan Staal and James van Riemsdyk.
- Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins defenseman Paul Martin has struggled since signing a 5 year, $25 million deal 2 years ago. He was playing hurt in the playoffs, suffering concussion-like symptoms during the 1st 3 games of the Flyers series. Martin knows his name is in trade rumors and that they won’t go away this summer.
“I know there are going to be rumors about me and Z (defenseman Zbynek Michalek),” Martin said. “I’ve talked with Z. We both want to stay. We both went to Pittsburgh because we wanted to win, and we still want that. I love the city. I love the passion of the fans. I love the team. It’s on me to play better, and I realize that.”
“I’d be lying if I said I don’t think about them,” Martin said. “Do I think the same team is going to be back in Pittsburgh next year? No. But I hope I’m one of the guys who is back. I want to prove to myself and to reestablish to everyone the player that I am. Ray is a good GM. I can’t control what he’s going to do.”
- Ansar Khan of MLive: If the Red Wings don’t get Ryan Suter, Jason Garrison, Dennis Wideman or Matt Carle, Filip Kuba could be an option.