- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets are allowing Mike Reilly’s agent, Pat Brisson, to talk to other teams. GM Jarmo Kekalainen confirmed reports that Reilly and Brisson are talking to teams this week at the Draft Combine. Reilly is still saying that he will consider the Blue Jackets, but it’s looking like he will sign with someone else on July 1st.
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: It’s believed that the Wild and Blackhawks will meet with Reilly this week. Have heard in the past the Rangers, Oilers and Kings are also showing interest. From everyone that Russo has talked with, sense is that the Blackhawks are the frontrunners. Since he will be signing an entry-level deal, it will more or less come down to where he thinks he will be the best fit.Johnny Oduya likely won’t be back with the Blackhawks and they will likely try to trade Bryan Bickell and Patrick Sharp. If they are unable to trade either, they may have to look at moving Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks will have cap issues next season. Seabrook will be a UFA after next season.
- TSN 1040 Radio Vancouver: Canucks GM Jim Benning: “Jacob Markstrom is ready to play in the NHL right now. He’s really settled some areas of his game down … Every night there’s 10 scouts from pro teams in the rink, so they see the improvements in (Markstrom) … I think there’s enough teams that need goalies that if we decide to move someone, we won’t have a problem doing it.”
- Matthew Sekeres: GM Benning: “If (trading Markstrom) is the way we decide to go, there will be teams interested in him.”
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals pending UFA Eric Fehr had a $1.6 million salary and $1.5 million cap hit last year. He has said he’d like to return to Washington, but he would have to take less than he would get on the open market. If he were to get a deal in the $2.3 million range, he may be more likely to remain with the Capitals. If he’s looking for more, he’ll likely be playing elsewhere next season.
- Dave Isaac of the Courier Post: Three players the Flyers could draft at No. 7: Ivan Provorov, Lawson Crouse and Mikko Rantanen.