Larry Brooks of the NY Post: It’s not a guarantee that Brad Richards will sign with the NY Rangers in the off-season. The Rangers may not offer the term or dollar amount that the Kings, Leafs and maybe Stars could offer. Brooks expects Richards to get 7-8 year offers in the $7-7.5 million range, but the Rangers may only offer 5-6 years at $6-6.5 million.
Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: There is still no update on the extent of Duncan Keith’s finger injury. The Fan 590 sites an ESPN sources that the finger is broken, but not known if he can play through it.
Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: GM’s in Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto are not happy with the way trades are broken to players, many times the players find out before the team can contact them. “Trade protocol demands teams not inform players of trades until they’re rubber-stamped via a trade call originating from the league’s New York office. While the teams wait in line for the trade call, word invariably leaks out.” Burke wants to discuss at the GM meetings what can be done about this, Bill Daly adds, “Not sure anything can be done about it.” The LA Kings and Drew Doughty have had “no substantial discussions” according to Doughty’s agent Don Meehan. No talks are scheduled for the Lightning and Steven Stamkos but he’s still expected to sign a deal longer than 3 or 4 years according to his agent. Predators GM David Poile doesn’t think a deal with Shea Weber will get done before the end of the season.
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche forward Peter Mueller has been shut down for the year despite his concussion symptoms improving. Mueller was skating on his own, but never practiced with the team.
Pat Hickey of Habs Inside/Out: Jaroslav Spacek had surgery over the weekend on his knee, and he should be able to rejoin the lineup in 3-5 weeks.
