- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Chris Drury has a degenerative condition in his left knee that won’t allow him to play next year. The NY Rangers were planning on buying him out but due to the condition they won’t be able to. Drury’s $7.05 million will count against the summer cap in which a team can’t exceed next year’s cap by more than 10%. If they were able to buy him out, it would have carried about $3.717 million of dead space this summer. Once the season starts they can put him on LTIR. It’s likely that Drury’s career is over.
- Peter Adler of the Edmonton Journal: Tomas Vokoun told a Czech newspaper that he’s not thinking about taking the offer from Avangard Omsk of the KHL as he wants to remain in the NHL. The paper is saying that Vokoun has heard from the Flyers and from the Coyotes.
“I would not be displeased if I got a good offer from Floria and accepted it,” the paper quotes Vokoun as saying. “But if I happen to get an offer from a team that might have a chance to challenge for the Stanley Cup, now, that might be irresistible.”
When asked which team, Vokoun said “Like Colorado.”
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Dater talked with Avs GM Greg Sherman several days ago, and he didn’t seemed worried about their goaltending situation. It seemed to Dater that he already knew what will happen regarding the goalie.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers are trying hard to move from #19 in the NHL draft (pick acquired in the Dustin Penner trade) in to the top 10. They may not necessarily draft a forward and defenseman in the draft as next year there could be 15 dman worthy of a 1st round pick. There are lots of trade scenarios for the Oilers, most revolve around Ales Hemsky. Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi, Shawn Horcoff, and Ryan Whitney are pretty much untouchables. Prospects Anton Lander, Jeff Petry and Teemu Hartikainen may not be available either, everyone else could be available. Matheson offers some trade scenarios that are 99% certain not to happen. Hemsky, a prospect, the 19th and 31st pick to Colorado for the 2nd overall pick. Hemsky, the 19th and 31st, plus a 2012 2nd round pick to New Jersey for the 4th pick (suggested by someone else). Eberle, Sam Gagner and the 31st pick for the 5th overall pick, Kyle Okposo and Travis Hamonic. Columbus seems like an obvious trade partner, but it may be unlikely that they are interested in a player like Hemsky who would be a free agent after next year and has had shoulder issues. Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson,
“We’ve had a little bit of interest in it so far and we’re willing to listen. Given where our franchise is now, we’d be more open to moving it for immediate help. We would be looking for a centre or a defenceman because we’re pretty strong on the wing with R.J. Umberger, (Rick) Nash, (Kristian) Huselius and (Jake) Voracek,”
If the Oilers don’t deal Hemsky, they’ll need to figure out if they want to re-sign him and committ around $5 million per season when they have the likes of Hall, Eberle, and Paajarvi who be looking for more money in a couple years. Would Winnipeg at #7 be interested? Could they look to move Sam Gagner?
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Daily News: The Flyers and Ilya Bryzgalov have begun negotiations. Bryzgalov met with a variety of organizational members yesterday. If his demands aren’t crazy, they should be able to get a deal. Carchidi thinks a 5 year deal at $5.5 million could be a good number. They don’t want to move Jeff Carter to clear cap space, but may consider if the received a big offer. It would have to be move than the 8th overall pick and Jakub Voracek rumored deal. If they can’t get a deal with Bryzgalov done, Evgeni Nabokov could be an option.