Written by @Dale_Lamontagne
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Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: By retaining one-third of Gagner’s $4.8 salary cap hit, however, the Lightning will carry $1.6 million against the cap for the next two seasons, which offers a net cap savings of $5.65 million heading into free agency. Even after acquiring defenseman Jason Garrison from Vancouver on Friday, the Lightning will be on the lookout for a defenseman, a backup goaltender and perhaps a center, Yzerman revealed Monday.
The Lightning would like to add a right-handed blue liner to balance out the top six. Dan Boyle, Matt Niskanen and Anton Stralman are the biggest names on the market who play the right side.
Potential goaltenders include Thomas Greiss, Al Montoya, Justin Peters and Martin Brodeur.
Brett Connolly, Richard Panik and Philippe Paradis, defensemen Andrej Sustr and Dmitry Korobov and center Cody Kunyk all received qualifying offers.
The Lightning did not extend a qualifying offer to goaltender Anders Lindback, defensemen Keith Aulie and Charles Landry and winger Geoff Walker.
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Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Interesting to see if Sabres GM Tim Murray moves young defenceman Tyler Myers, a former Calder Trophy winner as the league’s rookie of the year. Reportedly have kicked tires on the possibility of bringing back UFA Matt Moulson.
The Red Wings would like to bring back Daniel Alfredsson, and bolster the blue line with a Dan Boyle or Ehrhoff
There have been reports out of South Florida that Moulson might be on Florida’s radar.
Dan Boyle? Josh Gorges via trade? Michalek? Marty Brodeur? Ehrhoff? Could any of these guys be on their way in? Is James Reimer on his way out? Can Dave Bolland be re-signed or is his asking price too rich for Toronto? As usual, there are more questions than answers in Leafs Land.
GM Ron Francis does not plan a major overhaul of the Canes roster, preferring to use free agency to acquire blue-line depth and making the fourth line more effective. The Cam Ward trade talk on the backburner, suggesting to reporters that the Canes likely will keep him to start the season.
The Columbus Blue Jacket would like to add a top-six forward,but the priority remains getting budding star Ryan Johansen’s name on a contract extension.
Various reports out of Jersey list forwards Radim Vrbata, Ales Hemsky and Mike Cammalleri as possible targets, but the Devils don’t have a lot of cap room to play with.
The Canucks have been courting goalie Ryan Miller.
With limited cap space, expect Kings to look at depth players, but no big splash is expected.
A backup goalie might also be on the Flames’ wish list
The Coyotes have been getting calls on defenceman Keith Yandle, but will look for a lucrative return for the talented blue-liner.
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TSN: It’s unclear what else the Bruins might have to do with forwards Reilly Smith, Jordan Caron and Justin Florek and defenceman Torey Krug and Matt Bartkowski needing new deals as restricted free agents.
Without naming names, Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman was describing the plight of the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers, along with his Blackhawks, who almost certainly have to make sacrifices just to be cap-compliant.
The Flyers are still reportedly shopping Vincent Lecavalier to rid themselves of at least part of his $4.5 million cap hit for the next four seasons.