- Andy Strickland: A two-year contract extension been the Predators and Mike Fisher appears imminent.
- Platium Seat Ghosts: Darren Dreger saying that all three of Brendan Shanahan, Kyle Dubas and Mark Hunter are making trade calls. Dreger on the Red Wings no longer interested in trading for Dion Phaneuf: “I don’t know that Dion Phaneuf is 100% off the books. I’d be surprised.” Dreger on big names that wouldn’t be a surprise if they were traded heading up to this weeks draft: “Ryan O’Reilly, maaaaaybe Milan Lucic” Dreger added that most teams interested in trading for Ryan O’Reilly want a built in contract extension into the deal.
- Platinum Seat Ghosts: Nick Kypreos on Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf: “I think that if they really want to hold out for a premium price, Babcock could have them both at camp”
- Brian Hedger: Still certain that the Blackhawks won’t trade Corey Crawford, but with Antti Niemi being a UFA, it’s interesting. Theoretically, the Blackhawks could trade Crawford and his $6 million cap hit and sign Niemi ($3 million). They could then go with Niemi and Scott Darling for about $3.4 million and save about $2.6 million. (spit-balling)
- Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Top trade candidates that could be on the move in the next week: Patrick Sharp, Craig Anderson/Robin Lehner, Ryan O’Reilly, Bryan Bickell, Cam Talbot, Phil Kessel/Dion Phaneuf, T.J. Oshie, Rick Nash and Kevin Bieksa/Dan Hamhuis.
- Brendan Ross: Ducks GM Bob Murray said that he’ll do what he can to move back into the first round.
- Alain Poupart of NHL.com: Panthers GM Dale Tallon said that he’s open to the idea of trading the No. 11 pick for an established scorer if the right deal presented itself. Talks with other teams have begun to pick up. Heading into the draft, Tallon said their biggest need remains on the wing.
“If you’re picking one through five or whatever, you might take the best player,” Tallon said. “We took the best player last year, but we might look at what our needs are. Our depth chart is deep up the middle. And when you look at our future as far as the back end is concerned, it’s terrific. There are a lot of different, good, young players in this draft that fit our needs, so we’ll see what happens. If something shakes up and there’s a startling pick in the first 10, that opens up more possibilities for us. But we’re willing to do anything to make our team better. And right now if you look at our depth chart, speed and scoring are two things that we really would like to have.”