- Kevin Allen via twitter: Peter Forsberg will be the assistant GM to Markus Naslund for Modo. Allen wonders if Marc Crawford will be their next coach.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: According to 2 sources close to the sale of the Dallas Stars, Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi is the leading candidate to buy the team. He is the majority owner of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers, and he tried to tbuy the Canucks in 2004. It’s estimated the Stars lost $15 million last season. There are 2 local groups that are interested but Gaglardi seems to be the front-runner.
- Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Lou Lamoriello on the importance of re-signing Zach Parise.
“I don’t think I can say anymore than anybody else can say. He’s an integral part, has been since he’s been here and in everybody’s mind he will continue to be that. So, we’ll do everything we possibly can as expeditious as possible.”
On UFA’s Andy Greene and Johan Hedberg.
“They’ve all done well. Andy is certainly someone who we want back and certainly Hedberg we want back. He did an exceptional job. All of these things have to be handled accordingly.”
On the team’s need for a puck-moving defenseman,
“I don’t think there’s any question that that’s something we’re looking at.”
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Rangers defenseman Matt Gilroy will be a RFA at the end of the season, and is owed a qualifying offer of $2.1 million for them to retain his rights. The Rangers are expected to offer him a multi-year deal at less money. If Gilroy declines, he would become a UFA.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Ilya Bryzgalov has been taking some local heat for his less than stellar playoff performances the past 2 years. He’ll be a UFA at season’s end, and another disappointing playoff performance could hurt his price tag. The Coyotes will still be interested and a team like the Lightning could be interested. Bryzgalov’s best option is to stay with the Coyotes, but if they relocate, that might change.
- Eric Stephens via twitter: Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller has been sent home due to recurring vertigo symptoms.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: The Blues backup from this past season, Ty Conklin, will be a UFA and may not be back. The Blues have youngsters Ben Bishop and Jake Allen in the AHL and either could be an option. They may look at bringing in a veteran.
“That’s going to be a good discussion,” Armstrong said. “We’re going to have to decide. If it’s not Ben Bishop, then it’s either going to be Ty Conklin or someone else. Could be Jake. There will be some real strong dialogue. But I want to preface that by saying, Jaro is the guy. Jaro has to be the guy I described earlier for us to have success.”
