- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators have started contract talks with pending UFA goalie Andrew Hammond.
“I have been in touch with Ottawa, however nothing is imminent,” Plante said in a text message early Monday morning. “Andrew is very hopeful to get something worked out to remain with the club.”
Hammond will be looking to cash in after going 20-1-2 with a 1.79 GAA and .941 save percentage. Senators GM Bryan Murray has indicated that if they can re-sign him, he’ll look to move a goalie. The Oilers, Blues, Sharks and possibly the Flames could be looking for goaltending help. The 23-year old Robin Lehner had a concussion this past season and still has upside potential. Craig Anderson is 34-years old. A one- or two-year deal for Hammond makes sense. The Senators are also hopeful to sign Matt O’Connor. It’s thought that the Canucks and Rangers are also among the finalists to sign O’Connor. If the Senators are able to sign O’Connor, he would get the bulk of playing time in Binghamton (AHL)
- Dallas Morning News: 10 free agents that the Stars could be interested in: Mike Green, Shawn Horcoff, Andrej Meszaros, Antti Niemi, Michael Frolik, Jeff Petry, Joel Ward, Johnny Oduya, Jhonas Enroth and Patrick Eaves.
- Mike Sielski of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Ivan Provorov could be available when the Flyers make their pick at No. 7 at next month’s draft. Provorov is from Russia, and based on comments from GM Hextall before last years draft, the possibility of Russians returning to the KHL is an area of concern for him.
“You put it into the thought process – yes, you do,” Hextall said. “You get a North American, you pretty much know he’s going to come here and stay here. With a Russian, you’re not a hundred percent sure. I wouldn’t hesitate to draft a Russian, but you have to factor in the fact that he may go to the KHL. It’s a real factor for sure. . . .
“It’s different because you used to just not know if a Russian player would come over. Now it’s more a lot of them come over, but are they going to leave? If it didn’t come into your thinking, I don’t think you’re being thorough.”
- Aaron Portzline: Hearing that Blue Jackets defensive prospect Mike Reilly is still considering signing with the team. The Blackhawks are also in the mix.
- Rick Westhead: “Coyotes can trigger exit clause after $50M in collective losses are claimed. They’ll likely eclipse threshold this yr, bankers say. Coyotes will report 2014-15 losses to Glendale by Sept. If team wants out, it pays city $50M fee, LESS city’s take from revenue sharing. In 2013, Glendale city council voted 4-3 to pass deal w/ PHX. Since, 2 councillors who endorsed deal resigned. 1 who opposed voted out. Glendale pays PHX $15M/yr to manage rink. City avoids HR expenses, employee benefits bill, gets $7M-$9M/yr in rev share deal.”