- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators GM Bryan Murray.
“I don’t think there is anything else I can do as far as approach is concerned,” said Murray.
“I took calls from teams and we talked about the return and the type of deal we wanted to make.
“In a couple of cases, there was real interest and it went away. We’ll continue to talk and I’m sure over the course of time the people who miss out on July 1 will come knocking.”
Murray wants to get a trade done.
“I’m hoping that we can get a fair return so that we can put a player on the ice and maybe have a prospect or two and go from there,” said Murray.
“I don’t think it gets any more difficult.
“What happens is I’m sure disappointing for him, disappointing for me because I’d like to accommodate him.”
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: The Bruins are having a tough time trying to get Jarome Iginla back in the fold for next year despite both sides wanting to get it down.
“Jarome wants to stay. We’re trying to find a spot for him,” said Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli. “But we’re both big boys. If we can’t, we can’t. Certainly we’re both trying to work at it.”
It is likely that another teams will give him more term and money than the Bruins can offer. The Bruins may only be offering a one-year deal but loading up on bonuses to keep his salary cap number low. Players that are over 35 are not allowed to have bonuses on multi-year deals. If they were going to move out salary, Johnny Boychuk (one-year at $3.67) and Chris Kelly (two-years at $3 million per) are likely candidates.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: The Leafs interest in Martin Brodeur is curious, unless he’s fine with signing a deal in the $1 million range. The Leafs would also need to trade James Reimer. The Leafs have 11 players to sign and less than $20 million available. They need a top-six forward, a top-four defenseman and a new third line. The only way that Dave Bolland will be back is if he takes less than market value. Free agents that Simmons wouldn’t touch: Thomas Vanek, Ales Hemsky, Dustin Penner, Brad Richards, Mike Ribeiro, Derek Roy, Lee Stempniak and David Booth.