- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets prospect Mike Reilly officially withdrew from college last week. The 30-day window for the Blue Jackets to sign him has started. He’ll become a free agent when the 30-days expires, and he’s already told the Blue Jackets that he won’t be signing with them beforehand. The Blue Jackets tried to sign him when his college season with the University of Minnesota ended, offering to get him into the lineup, burning one year of the entry-level contract. He indicated then that he wanted to look elsewhere.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Rumors are that next Toronto Maple Leafs GM and head coach might cost them draft picks – possibly a second or third round pick. The cost to sign Mike Babcock would cost a third round pick in the next three years. Simmons wonder what the cost would be to sign the Red Wings AHL coach Jeff Blashill.The Leafs had kicked tires on Paul MacLean and Pete DeBoer as their interim coach when they fired Randy Carlyle.Simmons thinks Babcock will return to the Red Wings after looking around and realizing there isn’t anything better out there.Simmons thinks the Leafs should try to sign Mike Reilly if he becomes a free agent.
- CSN Washington: Pending UFA Joel Ward hopes to re-sign with the Capitals.
- Bredan Savage of MLive: Red Wings prospect Dylan Larkin will decide whether to turn pro next season or return to college after the United States are finished at the World Championships. There is a chance that he could skip the AHL and go straight to the NHL, though he could start in the AHL with Grand Rapids.
- Damien Cox reported that the Maple Leafs will approachSault Ste. Marie coach Sheldon Keefe about a coaching position with the Leafs or with the Marlies (AHL).Only the Sabres and Maple Leafs have received permission to speak with Mike Babcock, with both teams signing the paperwork that shows they agree to give up draft pick compensation if they sign him. There is still time for another team to get involved. The Sabres are thought to be putting together a big pitch for Babcock.
Four potential GM candidates that Cox and Elliotte Friedman believe the Maple Leafs are interested in – Julien BriseBois, Jeff Gorton, Mike Futa and George McPhee. Cox thinks there has been some contact with the Leafs and McPhee, who is at the World Championships.
The Bruins have interviewed McPhee.
It’s not known if BriseBois wants to leave the Lightning at this time.
The Sharks may consider Dave Lowry as their next head coach.
It appears likely that Auston Matthews will head to Switzerland next year to play with Zurich, who are coached by Marc Crawford.