Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators GM David Poile is “cautiously optimistic” that Alexander Radulov could return to the team soon.
“The table is set, everything has been discussed, all the hurdles have been cleared,” Poile said via phone from the NHL general managers meetings Tuesday in Florida. “Really, as it always has been and remains, it’s up to Rad to make his decision to come back. I’m leaving that up to (his agent) Jay (Grossman) and him.”
“The timing seems to be really good,” Poile said. “That’s what I feel. I think everybody feels the same thing. Past years, there have been circumstances like his team went further in the playoffs and the timing wasn’t as good. Now, his season is over. We have a real good team in Nashville. There are a lot of reasons for him to play the rest of the regular season and the playoffs.”
Some GMs aren’t that happy that Radulov can return, but …
“Why would we essentially punish a team for a player having gone AWOL?” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daily told USA TODAY. “It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”
Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Blues minority owner Tom Stillman is making progress with his purchase, and the deal to buy the team could be done in a weeks. The NHL controls the Blues and Bill Daly said in late January that they hoped to have everything done by the end of March. Stillman’s group is said to be wanting to bring Brett Hull on board with a managerial position. Stillman’s 75 day exclusive negotiating window is close to being over.
Craig Custance of ESPN: Free agency seems to be changing, with teams signing their pending UFAs before they hit the open market.
“The majority of teams have taken the philosophy that it’s better to dance with the devil you know than the devil you don’t know,” said St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong. “That’s why I think you see more players signing with their team.”
“Things have changed. Free agency is not what it used to be,” said Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman. “It’s not really a huge bonanza to become a free agent anymore unless you’re a superstar like Brad Richards.”
With the CBA expiring in September, it may also change how teams approach free agency this year. Teams might be more cautious, but Panthers GM Dale Tallon doesn’t think so:
“You can’t. If you stop doing business, you’re going to get passed,” Tallon said. “A lot of teams are going to keep doing business. We’ll do our business based on what’s happening now and then we’ll adjust accordingly. You can’t stop.”
The Flames and Olli Jokinen will meet after the season is done, with hopes of getting a deal done by July 1st. The Blackhawks may get to giving Ray Emery a contract extension at some point.
Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News: Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said he could be ready for Saturday. Occasionally he has pain walking and skating remains difficult. Pavel Datsyuk skated again yesterday but there is no timetable for his return.
Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier could return from his fractured right hand late next week.
Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press: It’s not looking like Jets defenseman Zach Bogosian will play against the Stars tonight. He’s missed 10 of their last 11 games.
Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel: Panthers Kris Versteeg and Dmitry Kulikov will be out Thursday, but could be available for Saturday. Jack Skille’s season could be done after re-aggravating a shoulder injury.
