- Mark Everson of the NY Post: On Friday, Zach Parise met with Don Meehan in Tampa. Then, his lead representative Wade Arnott showed up to discuss his next contract, but not to strategize. Most believe he’ll not be back with the Devils next year due to several factors. 1. The Devils financial picture may not allow them to offer a competitive contract or surround him with the players needed to make a run at the cup. 2. The Devils haven’t made it past the 1st round since he’s been there. 3. He has to split prime ice time on the left wing with Ilya Kovalchuk, who’ll be around for 13 more years. 4. Newark is not Florida, nor California nor near his home in Minnesota. 5. Because of the reasons above, Lou Lamoriello would hate to lose Parise for nothing. “We want Zach Parise to be here. He wants to be here. We’ll do everything we can,” Lamoriello said.
- Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News: Rangers defenseman Marc Staal traveled with the team to Florida. There is no update on his status though. He was cleared for “light physical activity” last Thursday. Anton Stralman, who’s been a healthy scratch since signing with the club on Nov. 5th, practiced with the first power play unit.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer talked with the media yesterday for the first time in a month. His concussion-like symptoms are almost gone, and he’s hoping to be back soon.
“When it’s concussion-like symptoms and you have to err on the side of caution, the only thing you can’t do is get your heart rate up. You’re just kind of sitting on your butt for a month.”
Reimer will take part in his first full practice on Thursday. James Reimer audio.
- Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province: Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo was back practicing with the team yesterday. Luongo is hoping to be back in uniform on Wednesday.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: There are no indications that the Blue Jackets are about to trade Derick Brassard. Sure they’d move him, but not a big market right now.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: It’s believed that Steve Mason has a mild concussion, but will not be out long-term. He didn’t travel with the team yesterday, Curtis Sanford will start tonight with Allen York as the backup. The Jackets remain optimistic that Mason can return this weekend against the Sabres.
- Steve Buffery of the Toronto Sun: The Maple Leafs 2nd line of Kulemin-Connolly-MacArthur have played well lately, so when Mikhail Grabovski returns, he could give the team some nice depth as their 3rd line center.
- Jonas Siegel via twitter: Leafs coach Ron Wilson guessed that forward Matthew Lombardi is 3 1/2 to 4 weeks away.
- Slava Malamud via twitter: The KHL would view the signing of Alexander Semin as a major PR coup. He would get at least $7 million a year in the KHL.
- Joe Yerdon via twitter: Yerdon believes there is a market for Semin in the NHL. He can score 40 goals. An up tempo offensive team should desire him.