- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Portzline says that Sam Gagner for R.J. Umberger trade rumor is out there. Gagner has a $4.8 million cap hit and a $5 million salary for the next two seasons. Umberger requested a trade and has three years at a $4.6 million cap hit. The Blue Jackets may have to kick in some money to compensate for the extra year. The Oilers could use the size and grit. Umberger will submit a list of 10 teams he won’t accept a trade to on June 15th. Portzline adds that it is possible that they could buy him out if they don’t trade him.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Islanders won’t trade Griffin Reinhart to the Oilers for the 3rd overall pick. The Islanders do not need more prospects, they need players who can make their team next season.The Panthers are looking to get a top-four defenseman in any trade for the 1st overall pick. Unless the Oilers would include Justin Schultz, they are not likely going to work out a trade. Matheson wonders if the Flames would offer up Ladislav Smid in a deal to the Panthers. The Flames pick fourth.
Matheson thinks the Oilers should be interested in Blue Jackets R.J. Umberger. The Blue Jackets would take a pick for him, but the Oilers don’t have a second or third round pick. The Blue Jackets might have to eat some of his contract, a $4.6 million cap hit through 2016-17.
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Lightning’s Ryan Callahan could do better than David Clarkson’s seven-year, $36.75 million contract he signed with the Maple Leafs last summer, which looks like one of the worst NHL contracts.
