- Josh Cooper via twitter: Predators GM David Poile said about Ryan Suter: “Based on yesterday, I really feel he wants to play in Nashville.” Darren Dreger via twitter: “Why wouldn’t Suter go to July 1? He’s earned right to consider his options. If deal with Preds isn’t best, Nashville will trade his rights.”
- John Glennon of the Tennessean: Shea Weber options: Sign a multi-year deal, sign an offer sheet after July 1st with the Preds having the right to match or take the draft picks, or go to salary arbitration for a 1 or 2 year deal.
“Right now, I really don’t think we’re thinking about that side of things,” Weber said. “It was tough (to lose to the Coyotes). … It’s not easy to be going home right now.”
When asked if the Preds multiple trade acquisitions at the deadline will play any role in his decision:
“Yeah, who knows? When the time (comes) to think about that, I’ll think about it. But obviously the team was committed and that’s what you want. Every year you want to fill in holes you have and I think we did a great effort in trying to make things better. It just didn’t work out.”
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Red Wings GM Ken Holland said he doesn’t really need to know Nicklas Lidstrom’s decision until mid-June. Despite the talk that defenseman Brad Stuart could be looking to sign with a West Coast team to be closer to his family, the Wings are leaving the door open. Holland said he’d speak with Stuart’s agent before the draft.
- Roger Hensley of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: On what will be done to try and get the Blues to the next level. Jeremy Rutherfored – The Blues will get a budget soon and will likely be higher than in the past. They should look for a #2 defenseman to play beside Alex Pietrangelo. A scorer is one area that they could improve on, but Armstrong has said he believes in a scoring by committee approach. There is going to be some turnover with 7 UFAs (Arnott, Langenbrunner, Nichol, Porter, Colaiacovo, Jackman and Huskins). T.J. Oshie, David Perron and Chris Stewart will be RFAs. Jeff Gordon thinks bringing in Vladimir Tarasenko is the top priority of the Blues. Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz will bring in some needed skill. Tom Timmermann thinks they need to bring in an “experience high-quality goalscorer.” Dan O’Neill and Andy Strickland think stabilizing the teams financials is the top priority. Strickland then adds signing their own free agents, and it’s possible that one of the young core players is traded this summer to improve their roster.
- Dustin Leed via twitter: Leed was told that numerous Flyers will be getting MRI’s and decisions on whether surgery will be needed or not will be determined after.
- Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren isn’t sure if he needs address defense for next season as he expects Chris Pronger to return from his concussion, but he’s aware Pronger still has issues.
“He’s doing probably the same and any chance of returning, I would say your guess is as good as mine,” Holmgren said of Pronger. “ … at some point, I’ll sit down with Chris and see where he’s at. Probably prior to July 1st, we’ll make an assessment on where he’s at.”
The Flyers will be 1 of several teams that will be interested in Ryan Suter. If the Predators feel they can’t re-sign Suter, they’ll look to deal his rights before or at the draft. Holmgren on free agent Matt Carle:
“I’ve said that before, if Matt wants to be here, we’d like to have him back,” Holmgren said. “I don’t see any reason why we can’t work out a deal. We’re in a position now where we can’t sign him because of tagging space, but this is something that could be done quickly, I think.”
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: As of early this week, there have been no formal talks between the Senators and Erik Karlsson. It may be in the best interest of the Sens to get something done as soon as possible so they can focus on other possible summer moves. Some league executives think don’t think anything will get done quickly unless they get to $7 million per season immediately.“People in Ottawa should be prepared for this to take until training camp,” said one league executive requesting anonymity. “It could happen if both sides decide to dig in their heels on this one.”
- Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins defenseman Zbynek Michalek had hip surgery and it’s believed he’ll be ready for the start of next year.