- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The the trade involving Ryan Smyth to Edmonton for Gilbert Brule and a 5th round pick hit a ‘legal’ snag last night. A Source said Kings GM Dean Lombardi was working trading Brule to another club once the deal goes through. Matheson via twitter: Brule’s health status could be the cause of the trade delay. Helene Elliott via twitter: Kings likely to trade Brule if the trade goes through.
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Robyn Regehr has had a change of heart, he’ll waive his no movement clause and accept a trade to the Buffalo Sabres. “Options changed and yes I did waive. I’m going to Buffalo,” Regehr said in a text to the Calgary Sun. “I have to talk to a bunch of family.” When/if the deal gets done, Paul Byron, Chris Butler and a 2nd round pick could be heading to Calgary for Regehr and Ales Kotalik. Sabres owner Terry Pegula was very influential in convincing Robyn Regehr to waive his no movement.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has been looking to get Stamkos signed to a deal in the $7 million range. The Flyers have about $10.2 million salary cap space for next season. Stamkos can’t get an offer sheet until July 1st, and would require sending 4 1st round picks if the Lightning didn’t match. Tampa may have trouble matching a outrageous offer due to the big contracts of Vinny Lecavalier (owed $50 million over next 5 years) and Ryan Malone. Reports are saying that the Leafs could throw an offer sheet in the neighborhood of $9 million.
- Craig Custance of the Sporting News: Yzerman will spend part of next week negotiating with goalie Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith. Yzerman and Sean Bergenheim’s agent spoke yesterday and there’s still a difference on his worth.
“(I) understand their position and where they’re coming from. I don’t know if there’s anything I can say,” Yzerman said. “We’re in different — there’s not much I can say. We’re not real optimistic at this time.”
Yzerman continue to with Steven Stamkos’ side, and hopes to get him locked up long-term.
- Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun: Leafs VP of hockey operations Dave Nonis,
“We don’t know what July 1 is going to look like yet.”
“We might make some deals between now and then that determine how aggressive we are on that front.
“Are we going to be active? I believe we will regardless of what happens over the next 48 hours here. We are hoping and wanting to sign some players if the price tag makes some sense for us long term.”
“July 1 is a great time to augment your lineup, it’s not a good time to build your team,” Nonis said. “There’s going to be a premium for most of those players.”
“The hunt is ongoing,” Nonis said. “There are a lot of teams looking for the same type of player, which makes it difficult. Not a lot of centres are being moved but we’re still in a good position with assets we can give up.”
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Jeff Carter was blindsided by the trade to Columbus. Carter’s agent Rick Curran said that he met with Flyers GM Paul Holmgren and was assured that there was no truth to the rumors that Carter could be traded. Carter signed an 11-year. $58 million deal with the Flyers in November.
“(Carter) is disappointed,” Curran said, “but that’s no reflection on Columbus. It’s more that he made a commitment to Philly.”
- Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: Penguins GM Ray Shero met with Tyler Kennedy’s side yesterday and there is more optimism that a deal could get done.
- HockeyProspect via twitter: Was told that the Flyers would have taken Duncan Siemens with the 8th overall pick until Sean Couturier dropped to them.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: Brian Campbell will save about $700,000 in income taxes by going to Florida.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Portzline was told that the Blue Jackets had no discussions with the Blackhawks about defenseman Brian Campbell.
- Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Panthers prospect Erik Gudbranson told Team 1200 Ottawa that he’s close to a deal with the team.