- Craig Custance of ESPN: What the Flames should focus on this offseason.
1. Keep the young talent coming: The Flames have nine draft picks, including three 2nd round picks. They could also entertain the idea of trading Jiri Hudler or Dennis Wideman.
2. Contract extension for Mark Giordano: Will be entering the final year of his contract that carries a $4 million cap hit. His next contract could almost double that.3. Hit the free agent market: The Flames have about $25 million in cap space, but they shouldn’t do anything too crazy. GM Brad Treliving is familiar with UFA center Antoine Vermette from their time in Arizona.
- Nicholas Goss of NESN: With Niklas Svedberg signing with Salavat of the KHL, the Bruins will be looking for a backup goalie for next season. Top prospect Malcolm Subban and Jeremy Smith are possibilities. They could also look at bringing in a veteran free agent.
- Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Free agent goalies the Bruins could look at include Karri Ramo, Jhonas Enroth, Michal Neuvirth, Andrew Hammond and Viktor Fasth.
- Adam Vingan of the Tennessean: The Predators don’t have a first round pick in this years draft. They will go with the “best player available” approach over looking to fill specific needs.
“We do try to talk about specific names that could be there because you’ve got a lot of players on your list,” Kealty said. “But if you can really key in on the pressure points of your list as to whom may be there, you’re going to be that much better prepared and that much more thorough with the players that you’re talking about picking.”
- Rick Gossellin of the Dallas Morning News: (mailbag) Gosselin thinks the Stars need to draft defense, size and goaltending. Valeri Nichushkin should start next season on the top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. If they get off to slow start next year, they shouldn’t give up on coach Lindy Ruff. If they fix their defense and goaltending, you fix the team.
- Craig Custance: Don’t see the potential Auston Matthews playing in Switzerland as a bluff. He’s not trying to avoid playing with Everett of the WHL. Switzerland is a chance to develop his game playing with men. If Matthews goes the college route, BU will be the likely destinations, but thinking that he’ll do the Swiss deal.