- Jim Jamieson of the Vancouver Province: The Canucks blueline needs to get younger, faster and more offensive. Slim pickings on the free agent market, with Cody Franson a top option, but he’ll be looking for something in the $5 million range. If the Canucks were to go that route, they would need to move some salary. They could look at moving Kevin Bieksa or Dan Hamhuis. Another option they could look at is trading the 32-year old Hamhuis and an asset to the Blackhawks for 30-year old Brent Seabrook. Seabrook has another year left at a $5.8 million cap hit. Hamhuis also has a year left but a lower cap hit of $4.5 million.
- NHL.com: Vladimir Sobotka’s out clause expires two weeks after the World Championship ended (May 17th). Sobotka will decide before the end of the month if he’ll return to the Blues next season.
- Steve Simmons: Back in 2009, the Lightning and Maple Leafs were talking about doing a minor trade. The Lightning asked about a player (Simmons doesn’t name who), with the Leafs asking for Alex Killorn.
- Elloitte Friedman’s Headlines: Devan Dubnyk and the Wild will meet this week and talk about a contract extension.
The Oilers have given Todd Nelson the option to look for a head coaching position elsewhere. They would like to keep him, but he wants to be a head coach.Bruins new GM Don Sweeney will meet with Claude Julien this week. They’ll talk about if they agree on personal changes and about their style of play.The Sabres have permission to speak with Dan Bylsma, and will do so later this week. Bylsma worked with Jack Eichel at the World Championships with Team USA.
Ken Hitchcock will likely return to the Blues next season.