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NHL free agent rumors | NHL rumors and notes involving Hudler, Vokoun, Kings, Ducks, Jagr, Penguins, Avs, Coyotes, Kennedy, Jets, and Varlamov
Mark Easson
Greg Brady via twitter: The Red Wings were offering Jiri Hudler to many teams at the draft.
Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun: The Leafs signed Jay Rosehill late Wednesday and he could fill Colton Orr’s role, who could be in doubt. Luke Schenn won’t be going anywhere. The Leafs aren’t a in hurry to get a deal done, and Schenn’s side may want to wait to see what comparables sign for. They won’t overpay Clarke MacArthur after 1 good season and appear fine with going to arbitration.
Helene Elliott of the LA Times: The LA Kings will be focusing on ‘mid-range’ wingers during free agency. The Ducks will be looking at 3rd and 4th line players. The Kings have $16 million in cap space, but that will decrease with Drew Doughty’s deal. The Kings are unlikely to re-sign Alexei Ponikarovsky. The Ducks won’t re-sign Jarkko Ruutu, Brad Winchester, Andreas Lilja and Ray Emery. Teemu Selanne had arthroscopic surgery last week and won’t decide until later this summer if he’ll play or not.
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche are sitting about $15 million below the salary floor. Their biggest need is between the pipes as they don’t have a starter or backup. Tomas Vokoun is likely the best option. The Coyotes could also be in the bidding for Vokoun. Other possibilities for the Avs are: Jose Theodore, Ray Emery, Pascal LeClaire, Mike Smith, Chris Osgood, Marty Turco, Ty Conklin, Josh Harding and Brian Boucher. The Avs could also look at adding a position player, possibly Ville Leino, Sean Bergenheim, and Joel Ward. They could be tempted to make an offer to Ed Jovanovski.
Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic: The Coyotes will look at adding a goalie. Tomas Vokoun could be an option, he could be seeking a 3 year deal worth $9.5 million from Florida. “We’re having conversations with Fiddler’s agent, Vrbata’s agent,” Maloney said. “We’d like to retain (them) if the contracts make sense.”
Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The Blues don’t plan on making any major acquisitions today. They will look at adding a couple complimentary players. “The teams are making their decisions on their players, signing them and not letting them get to free agency,” Armstrong said. “If you’re trying to create your team on July 1st, I think that’s a very slippery slope.”
Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Jaromir Jagr’s “heart is in Pittsburgh.” according to his agent. Penguins GM Ray Shero spoke with Jagr’s agent again yesterday, and continue to wait on a decision if he’ll accept a 1 year deal in the $2 million range. Shero is making progress on a Tyler Kennedy deal. Reports are saying the Flyers could be interested in Jagr, but no offer has been made. The Canadiens could be a wild-card team.
Brian Wilde via twitter: ESPN is reporting that Jagr’s agent was in Montreal last night, and Jagr has expressed in playing with the Canadiens.
Will DePaoli via twitter: The Penguins should hear back from Tyler Kennedy this morning on a possible 2 year deal.
David Pagnotta via twitter: As of yesterday afternoon the Jets weren’t close to re-signing Andrew Ladd or Zach Bogosian.
Rich Chere via twitter: Lou Lamoriello has spoken with Andy Greene’s agent the last 2 days, and plans to do so again today.
Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Semyon Varlamov’s agent said that he won’t play for Lokomotiv of the KHL. If he can’t work out a deal to play for SKA, he will head back to the NHL.
Bob McKenzie via twitter: Jonathan Ericsson signed a 3 year deal worth $9.75 million with Red Wings.
Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bernstein thinks that Ed Jovanovski or James Wisniewski are more likely than Tomas Kaberle in Detroit.