- Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: It doens’t look like there will be any lineup changes for the Devils tonight if going by lines at practice yesterday.
“We’re not making a change based on the hole we’re in,” he said. “We’ll make a change if we feel there’s someone that can make us a better lineup for tomorrow night. That’s what we’re making the decision on. We thought our group played a good game last night.”
- Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Bruins Tim Thomas confirmed yesterday that he will not play next year due to personal concerns. Posted on his facebook page:
“From the earliest age I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a hockey player. I’ve been blessed in my life to not only be able to live that dream, but to achieve more than I ever thought possible.
The singleminded focus that is necessary to accomplish a dream of this magnitude entails (by necessity) sacrifice in other areas and relationships in life.
At the age of 38, I believe it is time to put my time and energies into those areas and relationships that I have neglected. That is why at this time I feel the most important thing I can do in my life is to reconnect with the three F’s.
Friends, Family, and Faith.
This is what I plan on doing over the course of the next year.
On top of this, I will continue to train using the ARP/POV system www.ultrafitevosport.com and work with G-Form www.g-form.com in the development of protective equipment.
What does this portend for the future?
We’ll see….God’s will be done.
TT.”
The Bruins will now be stuck with his $5 million cap hit.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers will target Justin Schultz if he becomes a UFA. If he signs elsewhere, the Rangers may look at trading for Shea Weber over trying to sign Ryan Suter.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Red Wings will target Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, and they may look at trading for their draft rights. The Wings are also part of web trade proposal: Mike Green and Brooks Laich for Johan Franzen, Darren Helm and Jakub Kindl. Matheson wonders why anyone would not think that Brian Burke won’t make a trade for Roberto Luongo. Burke loves making the big trade, Loungo would help the Maple Leafs get into the playoffs, which would help his job security. Matheson doesn’t think that Tomas Vokoun would go the Leafs as a veteran sidekick. The Oilers are looking at Henrik Samuelsson with the 32nd pick. Brandon Prust would look good in a Oilers uniform if he becomes a free agent. The Flyers may look at trading Sergei Bobrovsky.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Several teams not on Rick Nash’s trade list have contacted the Blue Jackets. There is hope that if the Jackets and a ‘non-list’ make a deal, that Nash would consider it to end the relationship with Columbus. The ‘unofficial trade destination rankings’: 1. Rangers 2. Sharks 3. Maple Leafs 4. Bruins 5. Hurricanes 6. Capitals. The Blue Jackets are not dead set on getting a goalie back in a deal. Portzline left the draft combine thinking that the Jackets are higher on Filip Forsberg that many would think, and that they may be willing to trade down a few slots.
- John Boruk of CSN Philly: The chances of Flyers trading for Sergei Gonchar are “slim to none.” They would love to get Ryan Suter. Defenseman targets for the Flyers could be: Mark Streit, Ryan Whitney, Lubomir Visnovsky and Alexander Edler.
- Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press: Possible Jets targets on draft night at #9: Alex Galchenyuk, Cody Ceci, Griffin Reinhart, Brendan Gaunce, Radek Faksa and Tanner Pearson (a stretch, Jets-Barrie connection).
