- Craig Custance of ESPN: Looking ahead to the Jets offseason. They should bring back winger Drew Stafford and add a depth forward. The Jets would like to re-sign forward Michael Frolik, and will have decisions on free agents Jiri Tlusty, Lee Stempniak and Jim Slater. Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has a year left on his deal, and they should work towards a contract extension for him. There is no rush as he has one year left on his entry-level deal, but they should look at a contract extension for Jacob Trouba.
- Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal: Some thought that with the Oilers winning the Connor McDavid lottery, that they may not be that interested in re-signing center Derek Roy. That may not be the case according to GM Craig MacTavish.
“No, we’d like to have Derek back,” replied MacTavish. “We haven’t had any success in doing that to this point but we’re still very interested in having Derek back.”
MacTavish saying “haven’t had any success,” suggests that the two sides have talked.
- Rich Chere: As of two days ago, Devils GM Lou Lamoriello wouldn’t say if they had any interest in re-signing defenseman Bryce Salvador, adding that they haven’t had their exit interview.
- Randy Miller of NJ.com: Flyers source saying that if all of Todd McLellan, Dan Bylsma, Mike Babcock and Dave Tippett were all available, Tippett would be the most likely of the bunch to be the Flyers next head coach. Source also said that Kings assistant Davis Payne could be dark-horse candidate.
“Payne is a guy who got hired by (Kings GM) Dean Lombardi when Hextall was there and when he was in St. Louis his teams played hard for him,” the source told NJ Advance Media. “Before that he won a championship in the East Coast League. “That’s a name that comes to mind who Hextall could go after.”
- Craig Custance: The Panthers have been informed that prospect Zach Hyman won’t be signing with them. He will become a free agent on August 16th. It is possible that the Panthers look to trade him.
