- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: (mailbag) The Wild could look move UFA Kyle Brodziak, RFA Erik Haula or one of their prospects. The Wild are considering signing Devan Dubnyk to a contract extension, but they’ll wait until the offseason to start talking to him. Don’t see how Niklas Backstrom isn’t bought out this offseason. GM Chuck Fletcher won’t touch the a Backstrom-buyout question. The Wild have inquired about Sean Bergenheim, Antoine Vermette, Andrej Sekera, Jeff Petry and Zbynek Michalek.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers and Mats Zuccarello are not “remotely close” to a contract extension. The sides met on Thursday. It is believed that the Rangers offered Zuccarello a four-year deal at between $4 and $4.25 million. Zuccarello may be looking for a long-term deal at over $5 million. The Rangers won’t trade him by the deadline if they can’t get a deal done before. You can expect the Rangers to up there offer to between $4.5 and $5 million by the July 1st.There was talk last summer that Johnny Boychuk may be interested in signing in his hometown of Edmonton when he becomes a free agent. It could be challenging for the Islanders to re-sign him. It could cost over $6 million a season.
- Chris Kuc: Source saying that the Blackhawks are interested in Andrej Sekera and Curtis Glencross.
- The Fourth Period: Two league sources saying the Blackhawks are interested in Flames Curtis Glencross. Glencross is believed to have submitted a list of seven teams that he’s accept a trade too. The Ducks, Lightning and Bruins are thought to be interested.
- Bruce Garrioch: League executive on players available at the deadline: “None of the names are very interesting.”
- Bruce Garrioch: Most NHL teams are predicting the usual 15 to 20 trades.
- Bruce Garrioch: If the Senators are wanting to trade Colin Greening, they need to recall him and play him. If they want to trade Patrick Wiercioch, they need to play him.
- Rich Chere of NJ.com: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello on if he thinks advanced stats will change contract negotiations.
“I don’t know if they’re admissible into arbitration. If they’re admissible into arbitration I’m sure they’ll be used to whatever advantage one side can use them,” he said.