On the Montreal Canadiens and Carey Price …
Pierre LeBrun: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin is expected to meet with Carey Price’s agent Gerry Johansson next week.
Pierre LeBrun: Bergevin and Johansson also talked at the World Championships in Paris. There have been no real negotiations yet, but there is still lots of time. Both sides are looking at getting a deal done on July 1st if possible.
On CSKA of the KHL and NHL free agents …
Igor Eronko: CSKA are in contract talks with Capitals RFA defenseman Dmitry Orlov.
Igor Eronko: CSKA are also talking with Roman Lyubimov (Fyers) and their GM is thinking a contract is possible. He’s also talking with someone that will be playing in the Stanley Cup Final but wouldn’t say who.
On the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk …
Andrew Gross of The Record: Devils GM Ray Shero said that Ilya Kovalchuk will ultimately decide where he wants to play next year. Kovalchuk can’t sign a contract until after July 1st. Shero and Kovalchuk’s agent Jay Grossman met two weeks ago, but not since then. Shero hasn’t ruled out signing and keeping Kovalchuk.
“If we can patchwork our team with guys like Kovalchuk who are really good, that’s OK,” Shero said. “He’s going to drive the bus on this. He’s going to decide where he wants to play. I’ll decide whether that makes sense for us.”
The Devils have 11 draft picks this year and could be active in the trade market. Shero won’t be actively shopping his core players like goaltender Cory Schneider.
“I sat down with Cory, Cory wants to be here and we’d love him to be here. That’s the plan,” Shero said. “But that can change in a phone call. But I’m not actively shopping players, the guys you are thinking about.”