- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: The Predators currently have about $22.1 million in cap space. Cooper lists five pending free agents the Predators should look at: 1. Paul Stastny 2. Thomas Vanek 3. Matt Moulson 4. Mikhail Grabovski 5. Derek Roy.
- Luke Fox of Sportsnet: The final Compliance Buyout period begins on June 15th or 48 hours after the end of the Stanley Cup, whichever is later and ends on June 30th at 5:00 p.m. ET. Players can not be injured and will have to clear waivers. Fox looks at each team and where they stand. Candidates could include: Ville Leino (BUF), P.A. Parenteau (COL) is more likely to be traded than bought out, R.J. Umberger (CBJ), Jordin Tootoo (DET), Erik Cole (DAL), Ed Jovanovski (FLA), Mike Richards (LA – would cost $19.33 million over 12 years), Anton Volchenkov (NJ), Brad Richards (NYR), Martin Havlat (SJ), Ryan Malone (TB – if out of Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program), David Booth (VAN), Brooks Laich (WAS – could still be injured) and Ondrej Pavelec (WIN).
- Sarah Baicker of CSN Philly: Signing pending restricted free agent Brayden Schenn is the Flyers first priority, but GM Ron Hextall admits there is no timeline.
“Brayden Schenn would be our first priority,” Hextall told CSN’s John Boruk Wednesday. “But he’s restricted, so there’s not a timeline there where you say, ‘It’s going to be done by this time.’
“Brayden’s a good young player, and we’d like to get him under contract as soon as possible. But again, there’s timelines there. It might be training camp, it might be July. I really can’t say. But obviously he’s a priority. When you’re looking at our cap space, we’ve got to save some room.”
- Hope Smoke: Ray Ferraro: “I think the Subban bridge deal was a great one for both sides. For PK b/c he said sure, I’ll bet on myself and for the Canadiens, they weren’t sure they wanted to commit 7-8 years & $50 M for Subban.” … “Now, how do you not commit that money to PK? I would.” … “I wouldn’t have two years ago” … “With PK, the only caveat is that they’re going to have to open their wallet as wide as it can go to re-sign him”