- Rory Boylen of The Hockey News: Boylen looks at seven centers and the most likely destination for each.1. Jason Spezza – Ducks as the likely destination. 2. Joe Thornton – staying in San Jose. 3. Ryan Kesler – ending up in Pittsburgh. 4. Paul Stastny – re-signing with the Avalanche. 5. Sam Gagner – could end up in Florida. 6. Mike Richards – remaining in LA. 7. Brad Richards – ending up in New Jersey with an honorable mention to Washington.
- David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Sharks GM Doug Wilson,
“We’re a tomorrow team.”
“This is a phase that this organization has never gone into in the past, and maybe should have many years ago,” Wilson said.
The rebuild in San Jose should be a shorter process as they already have some young skilled players in Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Wilson said talks with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau will remain private. Wilson said other players will have decisions as well.
- Hope Smoke: Doug MacLean: “I, for some reason, have a funny feeling that Phaneuf ends up in SJ” … “SJ is desperate to make some moves, I keep hearing Thornton could end up in NY & Dion will end up in SJ” … “SJ have left Boyle out and they want to redo their defense.” … “They have that Olympian and are putting Burns back on the back end” … “If Larry is there and coaching Dion & you have Vlasic as 1, Burns as 2 & Dion as 3. I know it’s too much $, but it would be a perfect scenario for him to slide in and be a fit.””
- David Pagnotta: “All this Joe Thornton trade talk is cute… but it’s not happening. Barring a HUGE change, he’s not moving. He’ll be back in SJ next season.”