- Jared Clinton of The Hockey News: A Russian website, Champion.at, posted a report that Alexander Radulov’s agent said that not only is he eligible to return to the NHL after next season, he’s already been contracted by Avs coach Patrick Roy.
“Who was his coach (in the QMJHL?)” Nikolaev told Champion.at. “Patrick Roy, who now coaches Colorado. So, Roy phoned (Radulov) and says that he is waiting for the next season. Yes, (Radulov) can leave after next season.”
Radulov would be an unrestricted free agent.
- Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Avs vice president Jean Martineau to the Post on Radulov: “Those are only speculations.”
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Looking at if the Stars should try to re-sign Shawn Horcoff. He’s a steady veteran who is a great leader for their young forwards. Can play both center and wing and kill penalties. On the other side, he’s 37-years old and they need to make room for the kids. The Stars have Vern Fiddler and Travis Moen locked up for another year, who both basically bring the same as Horcoff. Horcoff made $3 million with a $5.5 cap hit last year, but if they could sign him to a one-year deal at about $1.5 million, they might consider it. The Stars could also look to trade Moen, using the savings for Horcoff, but moving Moen won’t be easy. Horcoff will probably go to free agency and will likely find another other team.
- Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News: The Stars need help on the blueline. Some UFAs they could look at: Francois Beauchemin, Barrett Jackman and maybe Andrej Meszaros.
- News 1130 Sports: Christian Ehrhoff’s agent, Rick Curran, said that Ehrhoff will test free agency. Curran said that the Canucks would be one of the teams that Ehrhoff would be interested in signing with on July 1st. Ehrhoff has no issues with the Canucks from his first stint with the team.
- Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford hopes to have his hockey operations department straightened out in the next few weeks.
“It’s to see if we can make things work a little bit more efficiently,” Rutherford said. “Plus, I want to help the team and help guys who are working toward higher goals.”
It’s not looking like pending UFA Christian Ehrhoff plans on returning to the Penguins next season as he’s already put his 4,280 square-foot home up for sale for $1.295 million.