- From Chip Alexander of the News & Observing on Cam Ward and the Hurricanes:
Though he is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, Ward has expressed his desire to stay in Carolina. Speaking to Alexander, Ward said,
Obviously, it’s no secret I love being here and there’s nowhere else I want to be.
Ward’s agent has indicated that negotiations with GM Ron Francis have already started and that the process has already been “productive.”
- On Peter Budaj, from Mike Halford at Pro Hockey Talk:
UFA goalie Budaj played in the AHL last season. Now 32-years-old, Budaj will attend training camp with the Los Angeles Kings in search of a new contract. As Halford explains, the Kings have already filled their need for an NHL backup with the signing of Jhonas Enroth. However, the team’s depth chart is thin at the AHL level and Budaj could find a role as the term’s third or fourth goalie.
- Matt Cooke still searching for an NHL team, from Michael Russo of the Star Tribune:
Russo reports that soon-to-be 37-year-old Matt Cooke has been skating in Minnesota for the past two weeks alongside current NHLers like Zach Parise, Thomas Vanek, and Jason Pominville. Cooke remains a free agent after the Wild decided to buy out the last year of his contract. Cooke believes he can still contribute at the NHL level:
I was hurt last year. There was some mismanagement on my injury, and part of that is my fault. It led to me getting hurt twice in one season. I’m 36 years old, I only played 30 games last year and then me getting bought out, that’s a tough scenario…We’re still three weeks away …I have a fire in my belly.
Cooke has yet to secure a professional tryout.
- More from Russo on Keith Ballard and Jordan Leopold:
Long-time NHL defenseman Keith Ballard is still suffering symptoms of the concussion he suffered in December and is now considering retirement. Russo reports that Ballard said,
I’m just trying to get healthy…If I make a full recovery from this one, I’ll chalk it up to good luck. But I hit admit, if I’m hit like this again, I’m a little freaked out about what would happen the next time.
Russo also notes that free agent Jordan Leopold believes he’s played his last NHL games and his agent is not reaching out to teams to secure a contract or tryout.