On the Detroit Red Wings …
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Pavel Datsyuk told the Free Press last month that he needs to be in Russia to be closer to his teenaged daughter. Teammates on going on that he won’t be back next year. Datsyuk’s agent, Dan Milstein, told the Free Press yesterday that Datsyuk will be meeting with Red Wings GM Ken Holland in early to mid-June.
“He would like to leave, but at the same time, he wants to make sure the Wings have options,” Milstein said. “He wants to help the team any way he can with the salary cap issue.”
Holland said that there are no loopholes to get out a Datsyuk’s contract. The only option to get out of Datsyuk’s $7.5 million cap hit will be to trade him to a team like the Coyotes or Hurricanes.
Milstein added that there haven’t been any discussions with any KHL team.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Jeff Paterson of the Vancouver Province: The Canucks plan to be active in free agency this year. They need scoring help and will look at Steven Stamkos, Andrew Ladd, Milan Lucic and Loui Eriksson.
The Canucks should also look at Troy Brouwer.
The Canucks will likely move on from Radim Vrbata and Alex Burrows.
On the Dallas Stars …
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: (mailbag) The best asset management for the Stars may be to let Kari Lehtonen improve his trade value next year, then move him later in the season when his contract value is lessened.
If they look at trade for a goalie this offseason, they may have to part with some young players, but Radek Faksa, Stephen Johns and Esa Lindell should be named untouchables. Cody Eakin could become available if they want to go with Tyler Seguin, Jason Spezza and Faksa down the middle.
Heika doesn’t think the Stars will trade for a goalie “unless the absolute right player is available.”