On the Dallas Stars …
Sean Shapiro: Stars GM Jim Nill and coach Jim Montgomery will likely decide before the end of the month what they plan to do with forward Jason Spezza.
They’ll talk about if Spezza could fit into their new system. Nill also plans on talking with Spezza, who is entering the final season of his deal at a $7.5 million cap hit. Spezza’s contract won’t affect if the Stars are active this offseason or not.
Buying out Spezza would save them $5 million off the salary cap for next season, but add $2.5 for the following year.
They could look to trade Spezza and it’s possible they wouldn’t have to retain any of his salary. Spezza has a no-movement clause during the season, but a 10 no-trade clause during the offseason.
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports: Bruins president Cam Neeley on his offseason shopping list.
“Right now, I think we need to figure out what we’re doing with the backup goaltender. That’s an important piece. If we’re going to have the goalie be expected to play at least 25 games, then you’re going to need one that’s going to give you some really good starts,” said Neely. “Then after that, you could pick between the forward group. I think we have enough skill and offensive talent, but it just dried up for us for whatever reason in the playoffs.
“We just weren’t getting anything five-on-five, or from the secondary piece of it. On the back end, I think you see what happens when you watch enough of the playoffs. Everything gets ramped up, even the physicality. It’s not quite where it used to be, but it still really gets ramped up in the playoffs. So in an ideal world, you find a guy that can skate, retrieve pucks and be a big body on the back end, then that’s what you would love to have.”
Free Agent/Trade Targets for the Bruins: Noah Hanifin (CAR), Oscar Klefbom (EDM), Jonas Brodin (MIN), James van Riemsdyk (TOR) and Wayne Simmonds (PHI)