- DJ Been of WEEI: Source saying that the Bruins have held “casual discussion” with David Krejci about a contract extension. Krejci is entering the final year of his three-year, $15.75 million deal and would be a UFA at the end of the season. Talks could pick up in the near future.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson looks at Bruins Johnny Boychuk, who was in Edmonton for a Perry Pearn’s annual pro hockey camp. Boychuk is entering the last year of his deal that carries a $3.33 million cap hit. Matheson wonders if the Bruins can afford him and if they would consider moving him before he becomes a UFA at the end of the season. There would be room on the Oilers blueline, but who knows if they could afford to give him $5 million plus a year. The Oilers do have lots of defensemen prospects in the pipeline, but they are prospects and not guaranteed to be top-four defensemen like Boychuk currently is. Boychuk said he dreamed about playing in his hometown “as a kid,” but hopes there is a new contract with the Bruins.
“You always want to stay with the team you’re with (and won a championship). They’re my (hockey) family,” he said.
UFA Matt Kassian has been talking with several teams.
“There’s been two-ways (offers) and tryout (invitations). I’m not too worried,” said. Kassian
- Katie Strang of ESPN: (mailbag) Strang thinks it makes sense for Martin Brodeur to take his time finding a new team and the right fit. The Blackhawks could trade Johnny Oduya or Niklas Hjalmarsson to become cap compliant. Oduya has a modified no-movement clause which may make him a little harder to move. Nick Leddy may become a more likely candidate to be traded. Strang thinks that with Mikhail Grabrovski and Nikolai Kulemin not having a no-trade clause in their new deals, they could be dangled for a potential top-four defenseman. Sounding like there could be something with the Ryan Malone to the Rangers rumors, but as of yet he hasn’t received a training camp invite.
- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is denying reports that he’s looking for a minority partner for the team. A report a couple weeks ago in a Frank Magazine article said that Dan Greenberg had invested in the Senators and could possibly take over majority ownership. Melnyk tweeted …
“Confirming the rumour, Ottawa Senators have 3 new equity partners: Sparkles, Frosty and Pebbles — my dogs. Great reporting”