- Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Brendan Shanahan on Phil Kessel.
“There’s lots of interest in him and it’s well- deserved for the way he’s produced over the years (30 to 40 goals when motivated),” said the club president. “He had a down year last season (25 goals). He knows it and we think he’ll bounce back. And other teams think he’ll bounce back or we wouldn’t be getting the calls. We’ve come out and said there will be changes next year, (so) the other 29 teams look at your best player and your most productive players.
“We’re getting a lot of calls, starting with the last couple of weeks, then with (league meetings in) Las Vegas and with everyone arriving here this week. It’s heating up with everybody.”
An anonymous GM said the asking price was “crazy” – likely a combination of picks and prospects.
“We like some of the things we are hearing,” Shanahan said. “Whether they develop into something more real, I couldn’t give a firm answer.
- Ryan Kennedy: The Maple Leafs met with Matt Beleskey’s agent yesterday.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Ducks priority is to re-sign Francois Beauchemin, but term may be the issue at the moment. GM Bob Murray may be wanting a one or a two year deal at most. Murray doesn’t want to handcuff himself with the salary cap in future seasons.
“He’s a defenseman of that group with experience,” Murray said, citing Beauchemin’s impact on a largely young defense corps. “That’s very important. He’s a big part of it. I’d like to have (that experience). It would be good.
“But as I said numerous times, I’m not going to where we were before in ’08-09. I’m not going back there again.”
Murray on talks with Jakob Silfverberg.
“We’re having good talks,” Murray said. “There’s nothing imminent but we’re having good talks. He’s up this year so I’m trying to get that done before arbitration and all that stuff. You have to.
“We’re trying to get it done. Both sides feel the same way.”
- Darren Dreger: Islanders GM Garth Snow said that he doesn’t plan on trading Kyle Okposo.
- Pierre LeBrun: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said he hopes to speak with pending UFA winger Brenden Morrow in the next week or so.