- Ansar Khan of MLive: (mailbag) Because the free agent market is thin and they have more prospects that are close to being NHL ready, Khan thinks the Red Wings could be more aggressive on the trade market.Don’t think that Jakub Kindl has a long-term future with the Wings.
Brendan Smith could be one of their trade chips if they look to trade for a defenseman.
Khan would be surprised if they signed Mike Green.
Cody Franson is a possibility, but they will have to decide if it’s better to spend the money on him (or anyone else) than using Alexey Marchenko and/or Xavier Ouellet, or if the trade market is a better option for them.
- Lance Pugmire of LA Times: Ducks pending UFA Matt Beleskey.
“It’s kind of tough to think about. I’m not sure what’s going to happen. You never want to leave a group like this. You definitely see us climbing and going in the right direction.”
The Ducks also have RFAs in Jakob Silfverberg and Emerson Etem. Pending free agents for next season include Ryan Kesler, Frederik Andersen, John Gibson, Hampus Lindholm, Simon Despres, Sami Vatanen and Richard Rakell.
- Bob McKenzie: Mike Reilly officially becomes a free agent on June 16th (but can’t be signed right away) and is meeting with nine teams: Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Red Wings, Oilers, Kings, Wild, Canadiens, Rangers and Penguins.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Heika thinks that Rich Peverley will retire. If Peverley decides that he wants to continue playing, he should be allowed too.
- AP in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Gary Bettman insists the Panthers and Coyotes are in good shape and was downplaying the reports that they are having financial trouble. Bettman called the reports of the Coyotes lease issues “inaccurate.”
“They have a lease that’s in full force and effect,” Bettman said. “Their obligations are being met currently. The club is not going anywhere, so I don’t know where or why these reports are coming from. … It’s unfortunate that there seems to be some degree of distraction in terms of the coverage of the club, but they’ll deal with it, and time will tell over time that, in fact, they’re doing a good job of building that club in Arizona.”
Bettman shot down rumors of relocating the Panthers. Bettman is impressed with the Las Vegas season ticket drive, and gave a cautious nod towards Vegas expansion.