- Joe Smith of the Tampa Tribune: The Lightning hold the 19th and 28th pick in tonight’s draft, and GM Steve Yzerman could move one for the right deal. They’d like to get a young defenseman that has some term left on his deal.
“If it’s something that makes sense, that makes our team better, I have no qualms or concerns about doing it,” Yzerman said.
“It’s going to be hard either way,” Yzerman said. “Trade or free agency, it’s going to be difficult to make a lot of changes.”
- Tom Gulitti: Devils GM Lou Lamoreillo on drafting at No. 30.
“You always start off with the best player available,” Lamoriello said. “Certainly, we would like to get forwards, but if there’s a defenseman staring at us that separates between maybe the next forward you’re looking at, you have to make that decision.”
It was just a coincidence that Martin Brodeur was in Toronto on Wednesday to play in a charity golf tournament. A source did say the Maple Leafs are interested in Brodeur as backup and mentor to Jonathan Bernier. Not known if Brodeur would welcome that scenario.
- Jason Brough: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis: “There’s a number and term that we believe is fair, and have a different number and different term.”
- James Mirtle: Nonis on the lack of trades: “It’s not as easy to make a deal as it used to be.”
- Matt Brown: Leafs GM Dave Nonis said as of yesterday afternoon it looked like the Leafs would remain at No. 8. They are not desperate to move up. Rob Longley: Nonis doesn’t think getting to No. 1 is possible. He spoke with Panthers GM Dale Tallon yesterday morning.
- Stephen Whyno: The Maple Leafs haven’t spoken with Nikolai Kulemin’s camp yet. Dialogue with Dave Bolland is ongoing and they are interested bringing Leo Komarov back at the right number.
- Stephen Whyno: The Maple Leafs are not in on any Jason Spezza or Ryan Kesler trade talks.
- Arpon Basu: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin confirms that Thomas Vanek, Doug Murray and George Parros won’t be back.
- John Shannon: “Draft lottery changes could be in place for next season…after NHLPA Exec looks at it in July…would create more opportunities teams. For the Draft lottery… odds would be compressed (less for 30th)….and increase the number of selections determined by Lottery draw.”
