Maple Leafs Letang’s preferred destination if not the Penguins? Maybe, Maybe not
Chris Nichols of SportsNet: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Rossi said on the Fan 590 that Kris Letang's preferred destination if he doesn't re-sign with the Penguins is the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also added that he's not saying the Leafs have…
Buyout Hits: Lightning to buyout Vinny, Oilers, Leafs, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Islanders and Capitals
Renaud Lavoie: The Lightning will buyout Vincent Lecavalier. CapGeek: The buyout will cost $30 million over 14 years, $2,142,857 per year through 2027. Pierre LeBrun: Lecavalier will get his $8 million bonus paid out in full over the next three years,…
Afternoon Hits: Shattenkirk, Rechlicz, Buyouts, Bryzgalov, Miller, Bergeron’s injuries and the Bruins
Andy Strickland of True Hockey: A deal between Kevin Shattenkirk and the Blues is imminent. Source saying it's for four years and around $17 million. (Update: deal done, 4 years, $17 million, $4.25 million cap hit.) Josh Rimer: The Capitals…
Draft Trade Hits: Hurricanes, Senators, Penguins, Oilers and Jets
Chip Alexander: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford didn't rule out moving down from the No. 5 slot if the right deal comes along. He doesn't anticipate moving up. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators have the No. 17 draft…
Free Agent Hits: Berglund, Clarkson, Brunner, Gagner, Rask, Bergeron and Bickell
Jeremy Rutherford: The Blues re-signed Patrik Berglund to a one-year, $3.25 million deal. Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Starting July 3rd at noon, teams are allowed to start talking to UFAs and RFA for a "interview period" as part…
Buyout Hits: New Rule, Vinny, Avalanche, Luongo, Horcoff, Oilers, Bruins, Canes, Flames and Canucks
Larry Brooks: The NHL has let teams know that the league will not allow a player to be traded, amnestied and the to re-sign with the original club. It would be considered cap circumvention. (likely stemming from the rumors of the Leafs…
Morning Hits: Alfredsson, Clowe, Kiprusoff, and some Sharks
Bruce Garrioch: Senators GM Bryan Murray said he'll have an answer from Daniel Alfredsson by Friday. He's thinking he'll play. Renaud Lavoie: Rangers UFA Ryane Clowe has been cleared by doctors. He suffered a concussion in the playoffs. Nick Kypreos:…
Bryzgalov Fallout Hits: Miller, Couturier, Luongo, Thomas, Emery, Hiller and KHL
Mike Harrington: (referring to Ryan Miller to Flyers speculation) Sean Couturier would be on the Sabres wish list. Pass it to Bulis: "If Roberto Luongo somehow ends up getting traded to Philadelphia, he'll end up in the one place more toxic…
Free Agent and Trade Notes: Blue Jackets and Predators
Rob Mixer on NHL.com: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen doesn't have any immediate concerns about getting Sergei Bobrovsky signed. "Nobody wants to lose the Vezina winner," Kekalainen said. "We're working hard to get him back, we're optimistic we can get him…
NHL Trade Hits: Hemsky, Neuvirth, Clutterbuck, Byfuglien, Ballard, Luongo and the goalie market
Bruce Garrioch: There have been no talks between the Senators and Oilers regarding Ales Hemsky in months. Bruce Garrioch: With teams need to cut salary, a league executive said trade talks are heating up, "There is a lot happening right now.…
Avalanche Draft Hits: Avs to take MacKinnon … Big cost if Panthers want to move up
Craig Custance of ESPN: Patrick Roy on drafting Nate MacKinnon. "It would be tough for us not to take MacKinnon," Roy told ESPN The Magazine. "MacKinnon is ready to play tomorrow." "We have received a lot of calls. Joe has…
Free Agent Hits: Wild, Coyotes, Leafs, Islanders, Penguins and Red Wings
Michael Russo: Niklas Backstrom's 3-year contract extension is for $10.25 million, a $3.42 million salary cap hit. Sarah McLellan: Coyotes GM Don Maloney said that management and coaches had talks with Mike Smith and his agent last week. Jeff Simmons…