On Milan Lucic …
Gene Principe: One source saying 100 percent, and another saying 95 percent that Milan Lucic will sign with the Oilers.
Curtis Stock: “I understand Lucic signed with Oiler’s.” … “Got it from a good source. Announcement on July 1”
Joe Haggerty: If Lucic is going to sign with the Oilers, they will need to move Taylor Hall for a defenseman.
On Jason Demers …
Curtis Stock: “At the risk of starting another firestorm I understand Jason Demers is going to be an Oiler too”
On the Colorado Avalanche …
Adrian Dater: The Avalanche and defenseman Tyson Barrie are talking about a long-term contract.
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: The Avs are buying Brad Stuart out and they won’t be replacing him, or recently traded Nick Holden with a top free agent defenseman according to GM Joe Sakic.
Stuart is 36-years old, so his cap hit of $3.6 million stays on the books, but it saves them $1.2 in cash.
The Avs plan to give more ice time to Nikita Zadorov and Chris Bigras and hope that Duncan Siemens to make the jump.
Sakic has reached out to UFAs Mikkel Boedker and Shawn Matthias.
On the Calgary Flames …
Roger Millions: Have heard that the Flames could be looking at adding another goalie.
On the Ottawa Senators …
Ken Warren: Senators GM Pierre Dorion said that there were no trade offers for Patrick Wiercioch.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Darren Dreger: Steven Stamkos and Frans Nielsen are ahead of Milan Lucic on their want list.
On Pavel Datsyuk …
Aaron Ward: Pavel Datsyuk’s contract is expected to be signed by SKA by the end of the week – two years for $7.6 million US.
On the Boston Bruins …
Bruce Garrioch: The Bruins have spoken with UFA Chris Kelly. He’ll have free agent options.