- Katie Strang: Kurt Overhardt, Ryan Johansen’s agent, spoke with Blue Jackets assistant GM Bill Zito yesterday. There is a still a big gap, but both sides will continue to talk.
- Aaron Portzline: Boone Jenner would likely move back to center if Johansen isn’t signed. Prospect Alexander Wennberg’s chances of making the Blue Jackets would also increase.
- Mark Stepneski: Stars GM Jim Nill said there is nothing new to report on contract talks with RFAs Cody Eakin and Brenden Dillon.
“It’s a little more the deadline is getting near because now immigration comes into play. Whenever we do sign it’s probably two or three days before they get in across the border. It’s getting closer to missing deadlines or closer to missing camp, one of the two. But there has been nothing new going on.”
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: (mailbag) Communication between the Stars and Eakin and Dillon are open, but there has been no progress.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The NHL and NHLPA are still working on the details of a World Cup that will return in September of 2016, with Toronto being the primary city. Some games could be played in Montreal. Could be an eight team tournament including Canada, Russia, the United States, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic. Remaining two teams could be invites or determined by a play-in tournament.
- Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post: Capitals coach Barry Trotz will likely start Alex Ovechkin on left wing, but he could see some time on the right side.
“There’s no question,” Trotz said Thursday, after the first afternoon session of rookie camp. “I want him to develop to play both sides. He did. We’re going to go into camp, I’m going to say I’d be leaning more to left than right.”
“He moves his feet better on that side and he’s able to go laterally better,” Trotz said. “I said I want to play him more on that side, but I want to clean up some things on his own end by allowing him to do that on that side, to play that side. He’s very willing. We had some great conversations today.”
- Allan Walsh: UFA Tomas Vokoun turned down two NHL contract offers and two training camp invites over the summer. He still wants to play but “only in the right situation.” He won’t be going to training camp but is keeping all options open. Vokoun is 100 percent healthy. He’s been training hard this summer, skating and taking shots.