In their search for scoring, the New York Rangers have set their sites on an injured player, Pavol Demitra, once he gets healthy. Demitra is still recovering from his second shoulder surgery, and could return after Christmas. Demitra is a UFA at the end of the season and brings a $4 million cap for this season.
The League will be investigating Marc Savard’s 7 year extension, which isn’t much of a surprise after looking at his yearly salaries: $7 million, $7 million, $6 million, $5 million, $1.5 million, $525,000, $525,000.
The Oilers have Sheldon Souray’s name out there, and he was offered to an Eastern Conference team in a 4-player deal.
The Florida Panthers have been contact teams in an attempt to make a deal to improve their club, they need to make the playoffs this year.
The Nashville Predators will look to locking up goaltender Pekka Rinne, but might have trade defenceman Dan Hamhuis at the deadline as the Predators might not be able to afford him.
Aaron Ward of the Hurricanes has drawn interest from the Sharks, Senators and Blue Jackets. Teams are also calling about Ray Whitney, but Rutherford will give Whitney the choice as to where he’d like to go (if that team is interested).
Vancouver Canucks defenceman, Shane O’Brien, is also being shopped around the league.
Pittsburgh has done well in locking up many of their core players, but they could have some trouble this off-season with UFA Sergei Gonchar and RFA Kris Letang. The Pens think they might be able to bring both back, but it would have to be at a really friendly price, which might not happen for Gonchar. KHL teams might throw a large amount of money for the 35 year old.
Contract talks between potential RFA Nicklas Backstrom and the Washington Capitals have gone well, and could be close to finalizing it. Talks with Alexander Semin have gone well, with the sides not talking since the start of the season. Semin is another player that will be in KHL rumors.
Vincent Lecavalier’s future in Tampa could be up in the air. He has a yearly cap hit of $7.7 million (receiving $10 million season for the next 7 years), which will be extremely hard to move. 3 teams that LeBrun mentions that might have an interest are the Rangers, Kings and Canadiens.
The Flyers and goalie Ray Emery can talk contract extension after January 1st, and there’s a chance that might happen.