- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “When you’re talking about Bolland & Stastny you’re talking about 2 distinctly different players” … “In Bolland you get what you get provided he’s healthy and that’s going to be the biggest issue for the Leafs or any team” … “To this point the Leafs don’t believe the negotiations have been fair based on the player they’re getting” … “The Leafs just don’t have the stomach to pay Bolland $5 plus million a year” … “Stastny’s going to such a big number as well. This guys certainly a different player, more dynamic” … “Will Toronto have some interest in Stastny? Yeah, they’ll have some interest. As they do in most of the top end UFAs” … “Nonis and CO will dabble but if Stastny’s number doesn’t fit where they slot him they’ll move on”
- Craig Custance: If the Maple Leafs pass on re-signing Dave Bolland, the Panthers may become the favorite to sign him.
- The Fourth Period: The Penguins have shown interest in trading for Nikolai Kulemin in the past, and could target him during free agency. He’s not expected to re-sign with the Maple Leafs. Kulemin was practicing on a line with Evgeni Malkin during Russia’s practice yesterday. The Penguins will have approximately between $13 and $16 million in cap space next year. They may not be able to re-sign pending UFA Matt Niskanen. Kulemin may have to take a pay cut from his $3 million that he made this past season.
- Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News: Gleason thinks the Sabres should resist the urge to bring back Ryan Miller if he were interested. They need to let their younger goaltenders play and develop. Teams like the Wild and Sharks may be interested in signing him. Both could be Cup contenders, something that interests him. The Ducks could also be an option. He might have to take a three years or fewer deal at $15 million or less may make sense for some.
- The Fourth Period: A Swedish report is saying that Devils winger Mattias Tedenby could sign with HV71 of the SHL.
“We have shown interest Mattias, but he is waiting for what happens both west and east,” Hult told Jnytt. “He is at that age that both the NHL and KHL (are of interest), and we must be prepared to accept (a move from the NHL).”
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Mikhail Grabovski had been hoping to get a $5 million contract. He’s playing for Belarus at the World Championship and isn’t worried about free agency.
“I don’t worry about it,” Grabovski told the Canadian Press of his pending unrestricted free agency. “For me personally it’s just time for make myself a better player in big arenas, big ice. But people who know me in NHL, they already know me. It doesn’t matter here.”
Grabovski said back in April that he and his wife liked Washington, but wanted to see who the next coach will be.
- Andy Strickland: The Blues will likely try to re-sign Steve Ott.
- Scott Powers: Blackhawks Antti Raanta wants to re-sign and to push for a starting job. There have not been contract talks yet.
- Jim Matheson: Since everyone is looking for a puck-moving defensemen, someone will sign free agent Guillaume Gelinas of Val-D’Or (92 points).
- Aaron Portzline: Blue Jackets defenseman Ilari Melart signed with a KHL team for next year. Melart can make six-figures in the KHL. There was no guarantee that he could make the NHL and would only collect five-figures in the AHL.
- Ian Mendes: From Dorion’s interview: Senators Stephane Da Costa has a lucrative offer from a KHL team. The Senators have given Da Costa an offer as well.