- Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: Canucks Daniel Sedin will be travelling to Los Angeles to join the team for a full practice today, with hopes of being able to return to the lineup tomorrow. Coach Alain Vigneault can’t say for sure if Sedin will get in the lineup:
“That won’t be my decision, that’s a medical decision,” said Vigneault. “He’s been skating now for quite a few days. They feel he’s progressed real well and he’s cleared to practice with the team. Exactly what that means, we’ll have a better indication in the next couple of days.”
- Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Coyotes Mike Smith, Martin Hanzal and Lauri Korpikoski didn’t skate yesterday. “We have everybody under evaluation,” Tippett said. “That’s where we’re at. That’s not a concern of ours.”
- QMI Agency in the Toronto Sun: According to the Star Tribune, the Canadiens have received permission from the Wild to talk with Blair Mackasey about their GM position. Mackasey is the Wild’s director of player personnel.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: (mailbag) Don’t expect to see Yann Danis as the Oilers backup next season. Danis was voted the best AHL goalie this season. He’s a UFA and could get some interest from other teams. The Oilers sending the top pick to the Devils for Adam Larsson is an interesting idea, but they would look to hit a home run if they trade the pick, a top guy like Shea Weber.
- Chris Johnston via twitter: Zenon Konoka has fined $2,500 and the Senators $10,000 for Konopka chirping a Rangers player who was doing an interview prior to Game 2.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: There are indications that the Blue Jackets won’t go into a 3-4 year rebuilding mode and will make moves to be competitive next season.
“It’s the biggest summer since I’ve been here,” general manager Scott Howson said. “I see us being competitive next season, for sure. We have to be more competitive.“There are a lot of moving parts. It depends on where they fall, in terms of the impact we can make on the franchise.”
The Blue Jackets are almost certain to deal Rick Nash, and it could awkward/ugly if he remains with the club. They’ll likely have a choice of drafting Ryan Murray, Mikhail Grigorenko, Alex Galchenyuk or Filip Forsberg. They own the Kings pick this year if they chose, or they can defer it to next year. The pick currently stands as the 17th pick, but could go to 26-30 depending on how far the Kings go in the playoffs. They may look to move this pick. They’ll be looking to add a starting goalie, with the only way Steve Mason comes back is if he’s the backup. Goalie options for the Blue Jackets will be Cory Schneider, Anders Lindback, Jonathan Bernier and Tuukka Rask. If a trade can’t be worked out they could look at UFAs Josh Harding, Scott Clemmensen Martin Biron, Dan Ellis and Jonas Gustavsson. Trading Nash would likely bring them a combination of draft picks, prospects and established players. 2 of those players would likely be ready for the NHL. Not including Nash, their top 6 would include R.j. Umberger, Derick Brassard, Vinny Prospal and possibly Cam Atkinson, Ryan Johansen and their 2nd overall pick.