Craig Custance of ESPN: Offseason priorities for the Islanders.1. Add a defenseman and a backup goalie – late season injuries showed the need another veteran defenseman that can play in the top four. Michal Neuvirth is a UFA and they’ll need to find a backup for Jaroslav Halak.2. Long-term extension for Anders Lee – GM Garth Snow has been aggressive in getting some of his young RFAs to sign long-term deals at a reasonable price – John Tavares, Travis Hamonic and Calvin de Haan. 3. Give head coach Jack Capuano a good, honest evaluation – is he the coach to take them to the next level? There are some coaches who have won the Cup that could be available this offseason.
Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators have a three-headed monster in net, and they need to bring all three back. GM Bryan Murray has to convince the 27-year old pending UFA Andrew Hammond that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. It’s unlikely a team would promise him the No. 1 starters role. While Hammond’s popularity may have to be considered, the injury status of Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner is of greater concern. Lehner missed the last two months with a concussion, and you can expect Anderson to suffer some sort of injury. The Senators are still trying to sign free agent goalie Matt O’Connor, with some thinking they have the inside track, but he knows he still needs some time in the minors.
Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: The Sharks and pending UFA Antti Niemi have had “no serious discussions.” Two weeks ago when asked if he’d like to return, Niemi said: “Yeah, we’ll see what happens,” he said. GM Doug Wilson has been declining to comment on Niemi and other free agents in Matt Irwin, John Scott and Scott Hannan. The Sharks will also have a decision to make on Adam Burish who has a year left at $1.85 million.
Lou Korac: Blues GM Doug Armstrong on if a team signs Vladimir Tarasenko to an offer sheet: “We’ll match whatever he gets.”
Lou Korac: Blues GM Doug Armstrong said the odds are “50-50” that Robby Fabbri makes the team next year. He’ll have to preform at a high level in camp right away. Armstrong doesn’t put Fabbri in a situation to fail.
