On the Detroit Red Wings …
Ansar Khan of MLive: The Red Wings are interested in re-signing Darren Helm and Drew Miller, but not Kyle Quincey and Brad Richards, at least not right now. GM Ken Holland has already spoken to Helm and Miller. Helm will be looking for a long-term deal and a raise from his $2.5 million salary. Holland will look at the free agent market before revisiting Quincey and Richards.
“I want to hot the open market and explore what’s out there and then make a decision,” Holland said. “I’m not doing anything with them prior to July 1. It doesn’t mean I won’t sign them and it doesn’t mean I will.”
The Red Wings also have to make some changes to their blueline. Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul, as well as forward Nick Jensen are no longer waiver except.
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Sources saying that former Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards was given permission to speak with the Red Wings. Richards is at the World Championships and could talk with the Wings when he gets back. The Red Wings have one assistant coaching spot open.
On the Ottawa Senators ….
Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Both the Senators and pending RFA Mike Hoffman would like to get a long-term deal done.
“There’s still a lot of time here, so there’s not really any rush,” said Hoffman. “Obviously I want to play in Ottawa, that’s my first priority. Having him as a coach is obviously a bonus. We’ll just have to wait and see how everything plays out.
“There’s going to be talks and negotiations throughout the summer … I’m not sure if it’s going to be today, tomorrow, next week or next month, or whenever, but obviously we’re both going to try to come to an agreement on a contract.”
