- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Ducks were looking to sign Jakob Silfverberg for as many as six years, but his agent didn’t Silfverberg to give up too many years of unrestricted free agency.
“We had talked a lot before,” Epp said. “Neither party really wanted to go to arbitration. We knew there was a deal to be done. It just had to be, more or less, where we were going to get with the term.”
The Ducks and Carl Hagelin have had talks over the past few weeks, and they should be able to get a deal done by well before the start of training camp.
- Dhiren Mahiban of Pro Hockey Talk: Hurricanes Eric Staal and Cam Ward are entering the final year of their contracts. GM Ron Francis in a recent interview.
“We’ve had some conversations with Rich (Curran). When Eric and Cam get back into town, I’m sure we’ll have conversations with them,” Francis said. “I feel pretty comfortable with my relationship with Rich, and with both players that when the time is right and the numbers are right that we can get something done.
“Am I in a hurry to get this done this week or before camp or into the season? I really don’t have a timeframe on it. It’ll get done when it gets done.”
Other Hurricanes entering the last year of their contracts include Nathan Gerbe, Riley Nash, John-Michael Liles and Eddie Lack.
- Craig Merz of NHL.com: Nothing has really changed with the Blue Jackets defense, one which allowed 3.02 goals per game last season, but GM Jarmo Kekalainen isn’t concerned.
“I’m not concerned at all if we have to start the season with this group,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said.
The Blue Jackets are hoping that Ryan Murray will remain healthy.
- Tom Gulitti: If the Devils can’t get Pavel Zacha signed by August 15th, he’ll be heading back to Sarnia and not to Liberec.