- Aaron Portzline: Contract talks between the Blue Jackets and Ryan Johansen’s camp resumed yesterday. The talks were just not limited to a two-year deal.
- John Shannon: Talks between the Blue Jackets and Ryan Johansen’s camp were described as “civil.” They are still over $3.5 million apart on a two-year deal.
- Pierre LeBrun: Contract talks between the Stars and RFA defenseman Brenden Dillon are ongoing, but there is still a gap.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is in the last year of his contract.
“I don’t think it’s going to be my final year here,” Babcock said this morning. “If it is, it is. But I’ve tried to live my whole life in the present, and so what happened yesterday doesn’t matter. What we’re doing today does matter.”
- Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “I can tell you this, Babcock will be looking at who is making the most $ and he’ll be looking for more than that” … “The longer it goes without a contract and the closer it gets to July 1st the more you begin to consider other options”
- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators Bobby Ryan was mainly used as a right winger last year, was tried on the left side with Mika Zibanejad and Alex Chiasson over the weekend. Ryan did play on the left side in Anaheim on a line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.
- Elliotte Friedman: The Oilers are working on contract for undrafted camp invitee Vladimir Tkachev.
- Chris Johnston: The Bruins released Ville Leino from his PTO. Leino’s agent said that he’s still “highly motivated” to keep playing, though they are unsure of where at the moment. Leino had turned down KHL offers before he accepted the Bruins PTO. He still wants to play in the NHL.
- Chip Alexander: Chad LaRose could get into the Hurricanes final preseason game, or he could report to Charlotte of the AHL.
- Joe Haggerty: There was some speculation that David Pastrnak could head to Belleville (OHL) if he doesn’t make the Bruins, but that is not the case. He’ll go back to Sweden.
- Hope Smoke: Ray Ferraro on TSN radio: “If Nylander’s not ready, and my opinion is he isn’t, I’d have him in one place & take part in the WJHCs”
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “Carlyle, Nonis & Shanahan must have been pulling their hair out watching all those defensive breakdowns against the Sabres” … “If that carries on, then there’s going to be some pretty tough questions directed at Carlyle. I can assure you that”