- Chris Hine of the Chicago Tribune: Johnny Oduya’s agent Don Meehan confirmed yesterday that Oduya won’t be returning to the Blackhawks. The Sabres are thought to be front-runners in signing him.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: The Stars, Sabres and Blue Jackets have interest in signing Johnny Oduya.
- Tom Gulitti: (answering question about Oduya) Not aware of the Devils having any interest. Other than adding 24-year old John Moore, GM Ray Shero wasn’t really interested in adding any veteran defensemen.
- Tom Gulitti of The Record: After avoiding salary arbitration with Eric Gelinas yesterday on a two-year, $3.15 million contract, the Devils have one scheduled hearing remaining – July 29th for Adam Larsson. Larson’s camp and the Devils have been looking at a long-term deal.
“We’re going to see if something longer term makes sense and, if not, then we’d probably go back to a two-year deal,” Barry said.
Larsson could end up signing a bridge deal that would leave him a year away from unrestricted free agency.
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals goalie Braden Holtby has his arbitration hearing set for July 23rd, and he could get between $5.5 to $6.5 million. 24-year Marcus Johansson is scheduled for July 29th. The Capitals qualified Johansson at about $2.175 million, and it’s unclear if they made him a second, more lucrative offer. If he’s awarded more than $3,799,887, the Capitals could walk away from the ruling if they wanted too.
- Tim Panaccio: The Flyers and Michael Del Zotto have an arbitration hearing set for July 21st. Agent Mark Guy on the contract talks: “We are still talking and working on it.”