Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: So Zach Parise has been shut down for the rest of the season by the team, it’s not injury related, just precautionary. Parise will be a RFA at season’s end and the Devils could file for arbitration which would prevent teams from signing Parise to an offer sheet. This would mean he’d have to sign a 1 year deal. He’s open to signing a long term deal.
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Milan Hejduk posted his 11th consecutive 20 goal season, and will be a UFA on July 1st. The 35 year old makes $3 million this year, and when asked about his future, “We’ll see what happens.” His family likes the area, and the Avalanche are going to have to spend some money to get to the salary cap floor next year.
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg left last night’s game half way through the 1st period with a lower body injury. He as hit by Bryan Allen. “All I know is he got his leg tangled up,” coach Mike Babcock said. “He probably won’t play through the weekend. We’ll see after that.”
Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals coach Bruce Broudreau thinks that defenseman Dennis Wideman will miss at least the 1st round of the playoffs. “We don’t know,” Boudreau said when asked if there was any timeline for Wideman’s return. “It’s one of those things that, again, this time next week we’ll know a lot more than we know now, but it depends on how his rehab goes and how quick he takes to it.”
Jim Matheson via twitter: Matheson thinks that if the Oilers want a player who can play right away, they’ll draft Adam Larsson. If they want to wait at least a year, they’ll draft Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. They may also try to package the pick they got from LA in the Penner deal and a 2nd rounder to move up in the draft. They like center Mark McNeil but Oils may have to move into the top 12 with their 2nd 1st round pick if they decide to draft Larsson or Gabriel Landeskog. MyNHLdraft has the Oilers picking Nugent-Hopkins 1st overall, and defenseman Jonas Brodin with their 2nd 1st round pick.
Chris Kuc via twitter: NHL deputy commish Bill Daly said there will be “No investigation and no action” in an email regarding Marty Turco’s betting with a fan.
George Richards via twitter: The Panthers signed Quinton Howden to an entry level deal yesterday. (He was 1st round pick last year, 25th overall)