On the Dallas Stars …
Mike Heika: Not sure what Valeri Nichushkin is thinking, but guessing that Stars will make a push this offseason to get him back.
Mark Stepneski: Stars GM Jim Nill was on an Edmonton radio station yesterday and that they will probably protect Valeri Nichushkin for the expansion draft.
Mark Stepneski: Nill added that they plan on bringing him back to Dallas, but he’s not sure when it will happen.
On the Vanouver Canucks …
Matthew Sekeres: Darren Dreger said that if Harvard forward Alex Kerfoot (from West Vancouver) becomes a free agent, he expects the Canucks to be a strong candidate to sign him.
TSN Radio Vancouver: Dreger said that Canucks would likely be highly interested in Kerfoot if he doesn’t sign with the Devils and becomes a free agent.
On the New York Islanders …
Laura Albanese: Coach Doug Weight said that they will talk today about recalling goaltender Jaroslav Halak.
Laura Albanese: Weight said that Halak wasn’t an option yesterday due to logistics and the impending storm.
On the Los Angeles Kings …
Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider: There doesn’t appear to be any movement lately on a contract extension for pending restricted free agent Tanner Pearson
“ talked about it a bit for a couple weeks or a couple days, but it’s not really up for question right now,” Pearson said. “I think it’s just about bearing down and helping the team win and getting in to those playoffs. That matters the most right now.”
The Kings are not in a big rush to sign Pearson and fellow RFA Tyler Toffoli. Pearson is in the final year of a two-year, $2.8 million deal, with Toffoli finishing his two-year, $6.5 million deal. Both will be looking for raises.
The Kings currently have 16 players under contract for next season at $59.3 million.