- NJ Devils win the Draft Lottery, move up from 8th to 4th. The Oilers will pick 1st overall. The Avalanche will get the Blues 11th pick as part of the Johnson and McClement for Stewart and Shattenkirk trade. Mock draft at myNHLdraft.com.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers GM Steve Tambellini on trading the 1st overall pick, “I will always listen, but this pick is significant in building our organization. I highly doubt we would do it,” he said.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators dropped to 6th in the draft, but GM Bryan Murray wouldn’t mind moving up in the draft. He doesn’t think the Oilers or Avalanche will move their picks (numbers 1 and 2) but he’ll get in touch with the Panthers (#3), Devils (#4) and Islanders (#5) to see if they’d be interested. They have Predators 1st round pick, and 3 2nd rounders. “If there is a guy that we like, and he’s still there at No. 3 or No. 4, we’ll make overtures to those teams to see if they’re interested in talking.”
- Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke would consider trading one of the Leafs 2 1st round picks (Bruins and Flyers) and the 2nd, and is willing to trade one of the high picks to move up or get a foward. “There are no headliners in this draft, no Ovechkins, no Sedins,” Burke cautioned. “There are good players, but we like the depth, that’s why we’re going to keep two picks.”
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets dropped to the 8th overall pick, and GM Scott Howson has said already that he’d be open to moving the pick for immediate help.
- Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: It looks like the Maple Leafs will head into next year with James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson as their goalies.
“We’re confident James Reimer can handle not only the physical workload,” Burke said, “but the pressure-cooker workload of being a starting goaltender in a Canadian market.”
“We are confident at this point that we want to give the Monster (Gustavsson) a chance,” Burke said. “He has not had a chance, due to physical issues, to show us what he can do. I think this guy is a legitimate NHL goaltender and he needs to be given a chance.”Signing a veteran goalie is not a priority at this moment according to Burke.
- CP in the Toronto Star: Burke top priority this off-season will be identify a #1 center and agrees with Ron Wilson’s that the Leafs could be “two or three pieces” from being a cup contender. Brad Richards name is continue to be front and center. He could also go the trade route to get his #1 center, but teams are usually relecant to part with those types of players.
- Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: Kings winger Justin Williams took part in some contact drills, and if he plays in Game 1 is up to him according to Terry Murray. If he is able to go, he’ll be on one of the top 2 lines.
