- Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Jeremy Smith appears to have the inside track on the Bruins backup position, with Malcolm Subban and Zane McIntyre also in the mix. GM Don Sweeney hasn’t ruled out bringing in a veteran.
- Geoff Kirbyson of the Winnipeg Free Press: Free agent Jim Slater is still looking for a contract, but realizes it may not be with the Jets.
“Stranger things have happened. It’s hockey. As of right now, it doesn’t seem to be, but never cross things off your list until they’re officially crossed off. It’s been a pleasure playing in Winnipeg as long as I have. I really enjoy all the guys and the city. You never know but as of right now, it doesn’t look (like I’ll be coming back to Winnipeg),” he said.
The Jets won’t comment on any contract talks with any of their players and/or free agents.
- Renaud Lavoie: The NHL coaching association wants to rename the Jack Adams trophy (coach of the year) to the Scotty Bowman trophy, and recommends that the GM of the year be named the Jack Adams trophy.
- NHLPA: The NHLPA has filed grievance on Mike Richards behalf with regards to the Kings terminating his contract.
- Rich Hammond: The Kings having Mike Richards contract on the books isn’t much of an issue this season as they are well below the cap ceiling, but next year would be a different story.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Blues Jori Lehtera will be out for six to eight weeks after having right ankle surgery on August 4th. Lehtera originally injured his ankle at the end of last season after taking a slash or blocking a shot. They had hoped that rest and rehab would fix the issue.
“The hope was time would have the ankle settle down, but he was still sore, so we acted (with surgery) so he would be ready for the start of the season,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong told the Post-Dispatch.
- Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News: The Rangers sign Jarret Stoll to a one-year, $800,000 contract yesterday. In April Stoll was charged with felony cocaine possession, but pleaded down to two reduced misdemeanor charges. He’s completed his 32 hours of community service.
“I know what kind of person I am,” Stoll said in an afternoon conference call in which he answered difficult questions directly and respectfully. “I know what kind of hockey player I am. For the outside world to think what they think … that’s not who I am, that’s not the person I was brought up to be, and anybody who knows me knows that.”
The Michigan Daily: Blue Jackets first round draft pick Zach Werenski will be returning to Michigan for his sophomore season.