- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Now that the Toronto Maple Leafs have locked up goaltender James Reimer on a two-year, $4.6 million deal, the team’s only remaining RFA is Jake Gardiner. General Manager Dave Nonis expects to have Gardiner signed by the start of camp.
“Talks are on-going,” said Nonis. “Things are going fine. I don’t see any hiccups there.”
- Josh Rimer: Even though Reimer signed for two-years, speculation of a trade still remains as two-year deals are easier to move.
- Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel: After coming off career highs in goals (11), assists (7), and points (18) last season in 53 games with the Florida Panthers, RFA Jimmy Hayes was unable to reach an agreement on a new deal with the team. The two parties will settle their dispute at a hearing in front of a neutral arbitrator next week in Toronto.
- Allen Muir of Sports Illustrated: P.K. Subban is in line to make a lot of money ($10 million or more at some point during his contract), and he deserves it. The 2013 Norris Trophy winner continues to grow, both in maturity and defensively. With no other player like him in the NHL right now, Subban is the most irreplaceable player on the Canadiens.
- L.A. Lariviere: There appears to be some progress being made on a Subban deal. When asked if any significant progress was being made, his agent responded, “we’re working on it.”
- Mark Stepneski of NHL.com: Dallas coach Lindy Ruff is extremely excited about all the different possibilities for his forward group after this offseason’s acquisitions of Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky.
“I’ve thrown out many a napkin where I’ve scribbled down the lines and the next day they didn’t work out,” Ruff said in an interview with Stars radio host Bruce Levine on The Ticket. “I am anticipating there will be a few more crumpled ones.”