- John Vogl of the Bufffalo News: The Sabres signed defenseman Alexander Sulzer to a 1 year contract extension worth $725,000. They now have 8 defenseman under contract for next year. With a thin free agent crop at center, Sabres GM Darcy Regier may turn to trade market.
“The right center ice is a priority,” Regier said in First Niagara Center. “The real unknown here is what the trade market will hold. Nothing has started. It doesn’t get started until after the playoffs. Teams begin to talk, and then it really builds as you go into the draft.
“It’s tough to know what will be available, but if we can find the right centerman it would help.”
The Sabres current top 3 centers are Derek Roy, Cody Hodgson and Tyler Ennis.
- Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: The Hurricanes re-signed defenseman Jamie McBain to a 2 year deal worth $1.7 million next year and $1.9 the following year. They also re-signed Bobby Sanguinetti to a 1 year, 2-way contract. $700,000 in the NHL and $105,000 in the AHL. Bryan Allen and Jaroslav Spacek are both UFAs and may not be brought back. The Hurricanes also signed forward Nicolas Blanchard to a 2 year, 2-way deal.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: The Flyers have signed forwards Derek Mathers and Andrew Johnston to entry-level contracts. The Flyers have until June 1st to sign 2010 draft picks Ricard Blidstrand and Brendan Ranford.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: The Ducks have signed goalie Viktor Fasth to a 1 year deal worth $1 million.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: One offseason loss for the Coyotes that could have a big impact on the team is goalie coach Sean Burke, whose contract expires. Burke also has front office aspirations. When asked if he’s worried about losing Burke, GM Don Maloney responded:
“Yeah,” he said. “But knowing him, he has ties here in the valley. His daughter goes to ASU. His son Brendan is a terrific prospect in Portland. This is his home. Yeah, I’m sure some people could wave more money in front of him. Fortunately he sees a future here, not just in that role. He has unlimited upside depending on where he wants to go with it.”
- Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Red Wings GM Ken Holland doesn’t expect to have decisions from Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom, Brad Stuart and Jiri Hudler until after their June 2-4 pro scouts meetings. Lidstrom and Holmstrom are considering retiring. Holland has talked briefly with Hudler’s agent and is awaiting word on future talks.