- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: There hasn’t been much movement on RFA Brad Marchand’s contract talks with the Bruins. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli and Marchand’s agent wouldn’t comment on the situation.
- Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press: Fan 590 radio host Bob McCown said that at least 3 members of the Winnipeg Jets are actively trying to get out of Winnipeg.
“Guys are not going to want to play there,” said McCown.
“I have first-hand knowledge of no less than three members of the Atlanta Thrashers, no fewer than three, who are now Winnipeg Jets, who are actively pursuing alternatives. Not the least of the problems, there’s no place to live, in the style that an NHL player has become accustomed to. Are there upscale homes? I’m sure there are. But they’re not available and they’re not for rent.”
Captain Andrew Ladd, who signed a 5 year deal with the team, had this to say in response:
“I haven’t heard that, but if there are guys that don’t want to be in Winnipeg then we don’t want them anyway,” said Ladd. “We want people that want to be part of a good hockey organization that’s going to create a winning culture. From everyone I’ve talked to — I haven’t heard any of that.”
- Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Allen lists his top 10 2012 free agents. 1. Ryan Suter 2. Zach Parise 3. Niklas Kronwall 4. Alexander Semin 5. R.J. Umberger 6. Ales Hemsky 7. Brad Stuart 8. Chris Kunitz 9. Shane Doan 10. Mikhail Grabovski
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators have 9 defenseman under contract and expect at least 1 to be dealt. 6 are on 1-way contracts and Jared Cowen and David Rundblad have a good shot at making the club. They reportedly were shopping Sergei Gonchar and Filip Kuba at the draft but found no takers. Gonchar has 2 years at $5.5 million, Kuba has 1 year at $3.7 million. “They can’t afford to just give Kuba away if they are going to trade him,” said a league executive. “They’re going to have to be willing to take some salary back.”
- Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: There are still some veteran UFAs out there who could be looking for a tryout. “We haven’t ruled out an invitation,” Burke told Sun Media. “But most likely we will give the kids a look.” Some of their young players include Nazem Kadri, Joe Colborne, Luca Caputi, Matt Frattin, Jerry D’Amigo and defencemen Jake Gardiner and Jesse Blacker. Tyler Biggs, Stuart Percy, Brad Ross and Greg McKegg are at least a year away. Agent Don Meehan said there is “Nothing new” on contract talks between the Maple Leafs and Luke Schenn.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Michel Nylander says he wants to return to the NHL after his playing his first game since he broke his neck.