- Chris Johnston in the Globe and Mail: Canucks goalie Cory Schneider (RFA) is in no hurry to sign a new deal.
“Either way, I’m sure I’ll end up with a contract,” Schneider said during the NHLPA meetings this week in Chicago. “I don’t think that’s an issue. I think if I was facing the possibility of not being in the league next year I’d be a little more concerned. I’m comfortable with the idea that it may not be a deal now or in the next week, but eventually I think something will happen.
“I think you just have to remain patient and you can’t panic.”
- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators director of player development, Pierre Dorion, suggested that the Senators could be interested in P.A. Parenteau.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Ducks could definitely use a guy like Ryan Suter on their blueline, but they’ll likely have to go with the 2nd tier Dmen. Possible targets could be: Jason Garrison, Filip Kuba, Pavel Kubina, Matt Carle, Bryce Salvador and Sami Salo. 3rd tier options could be: Sheldon Souray, Chris Campoli, Bryan Allen, Jaroslav Spacek, Hal Gill, Greg Zanon and Cory Sarich. Jay Bouwmeester may now be available for trade.
- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins GM Ray Shero is still looking for a defensive partner for Kris Letang, and a winger for Sidney Crosby. The Pens have assets on the blueline that could be moved. Matt Niskanen could be signed to a long-term deal if the Penguins are successful in moving Paul Martin.
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Guillaume Latendresse will become a UFA on Sunday.
“I’ve been here with my son in Montreal for two months. He’s four years old now,” Latendresse said. “It’s pretty hard for me during the wintertime, so I think it would be best if I can try and land somewhere that would be closer to him.”
The Wild offered Latendresse an incentive based 1 year deal according to sources.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to go back,” Latendresse said. “It’s not that the contract was not good. It’s not that I didn’t like the way the team was working or anything. It’s really a personal matter more than anything. I would have loved to go back to Minnesota, but sometimes you have to make decisions for your family and for your future.”
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: James thinks the 36 year old Shane Doan would be a nice fit for the Red Wings if he tests free agency. Doan is coming off a 5 year, $22.75 million deal.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Teams that are known to be on Justin Schultz list are the Canucks, Oilers, Rangers, Maple Leafs and Senators. The Flyers are not on his list.
- Randy Sportak via twitter: The Flames may look to see if anyone would be interested in Matt Stajan’s $3.5 million salary cap and $2.5 million salary to get to the floor.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: The Blues still have interest in bringing Jamie Langenbrunner back. Scott Nichol re-signs with the Blues for $650,000 and bonuses up to $700,000.