- Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Martin Brodeur is “80 percent sure” that he’ll play next season and hasn’t ruled out remaining with the Devils.
“I’m not closing (the door) here at all,” Brodeur told The Star-Ledger. “It will be a decision I’ll make after offers are brought to me. It might be July 1st or it might be way after July 1st.
“It all depends on what is on the table, whether it’s in New Jersey or somewhere else. I’m open-minded about it. I’m looking for specific things some teams probably can’t give me. And that’s understandable at my age. But if I feel I can play and people want me, we’ll see.”
Brodeur’s requirements:
“I’m not going to sit more than I sit this year. That’s not something I want,” Brodeur said. “If I come back, it’s not a question of money. It’s because I still love it and I still enjoy the game.
“And I want to be in a position to have another shot (at winning), no matter what role I’m in. To me it would seem empty to leave without having a chance of winning something. Hopefully it will be this year and that will change a lot about my decision and what I’m going to do in my future.”
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “When you look at the 4 UFAs that the Leafs will key on are Bolland, McClement, Kulemin & Raymond” … “Bolland still identifies for me the identity that this team will play with.” … “It’s up to Bolland does he chase the dollars that will pay him $5 million elsewhere? That’s up to him” … “The only given that stays of those 4 UFAs is McClement and that’s only if Carlyle stays because of the appreciation RC has for him”
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “How do you replace a man like Carlyle? Is there anyone better out there than Carlyle? Are Trotz or Laviolette better than him?” … “Do the Leafs look at Steve Spott or Luke Richardson? Those are drastic moves”
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators Seth Jones thinks he could be ready to return on Friday.
“It’s a process. You think you’re good, and the brain will tell you otherwise sometimes,” Jones said. “There are steps that are required to come back and I’m kind of in the midst of those right now.”