- Josh Cooper of the Nashville Tennessean: The Predators made it to the 2nd round for the 1st time in franchise history, and will have a busy off-season with 4 UFAs and 5 RFAs. Their biggest challenge will be RFA Shea Weber who’d requires a raise from his current $4.5 million salary. Both sides had agreed during the season to wait until the off-season. One comparable could be Dion Phaneuf’s 6 year, $39 million deal. A starting point could be Brent Seabrook’s 5 year, $29 million contract, but he doesn’t put up the same offensive numbers and doesn’t provide the same leadership. Would they look at trade Weber before July 1st if they feel they can’t get a deal done? Joel Ward is a UFA and proved during the playoffs that he is more valuable than his $1.5 million he made this year. The Predators need to find a ‘game-changing forward,’ Shea Weber pointed this out on Monday. “That’s obviously up to the front office now, but we have to find a way to generate more goals,” Weber said. “We’re a good defensive team, but that can only get you so far.” Steve Sullivan will likely have to take a pay cut from his $3.75 million if he wants to come back next year. JP Dumont, who has a healthy scratch at times during the 2nd half of the season, is due to make $4 million next year and they could consider buying him out.
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals forward Eric Fehr had surgery to repair a torn labrum on his right shoulder. He could be out 4 to 6 months. 2 years ago he had surgery on both his shoulders.
“When he comes out of the sling, he’ll go through a very specific rehab program intending to get back his motion and strength and the rhythm of the shoulder back,” Shaffer said. “We’ll allow him to start skating two months from the date of the procedure, but return to play will be gradual. He’ll probably be on the ice in training camp but he won’t be in contact, collision situations.”
- Montreal Gazette: Canadiens prospect Louis Leblanc had arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder on Tuesday and will have 4 to 6 months of rehab. Leblanc was picked 18th overall in the 2009 draft. If the rehab lasts only 4 months, he could be ready for training camp.
- Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports: Friedman thinks that if the Capitals are to shakeup their core, they should only move one of Mike Green or Alexander Semin, but not both.
- Philadelphia Flyers via twitter: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said that 5 players will need off-season surgery. Mike Richards and Andrej Meszaros will have wrist surgery. Kris Versteeg will have a stomach muscle procedure, Blair Betts on his finger and Michael Leighton will have hip surgery.
- Damian Cristodero via twitter: The Lightning, Rangers and Oilers are reportedly interested in free agent Swedish goalie, Viktor Fasth.
