Twitter rumors and Free Agent signings quick hits
6:01 PM: Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: "Just hung up phone with Dean Lombardi. Asked him if he was closing in on Kovalchuk, "No." Asked if he's still in the mix, "Not sure.''" 5:59 PM: Adrian Dater via Twitter: Kovalchuk to…
Maple Leafs have other targets … Flames also interested in Savard? Cheechoo being bought out
David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: The Calgary Flames may also be interested in trading for Marc Savard. The Maple Leafs are rumored to be looking at free agents Dan Hamhuis and Zbynek Michalek, possibly exploring a trade for…
Savard still being shopped … Spezza not going anywhere … Lightning interested in Kaberle
Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: The Bruins are fine with having centers Savard, Krejci, Bergeron and Seguin in their line up next year, but they will continue to shop Marc Savard and his 7 year, $28 million contract. Savard…
1st Round Draft picks available … Hamhuis-Flyers talks not going well … Hamhuis to Vancouver?
Darren Dreger via Twitter: The Maple Leafs are to meet with Nikolai Kulemin's agent this weekend. If he's looking for $3 million or more, he won't get it from the Leafs. The $2-2.5 million range may be what the Leafs…
Vokoun not going anywhere … Burke give his vision to MLSE …
Steve Gorten of the Sun Sentinel: Panthers GM Dale Tallon has told Tomas Vokoun he has no plans on trading him. "He likes me, and he has no interest in shopping me or trading me unless there's a great deal…
Burke outlines what it will take to get Kaberle … Phaneuf to be new Leaf Captain … Would Flyers trade Carter for a frontline goalie?
David Shoatls of the Globe and Mail: Brian Burke confirmed yesterday that Dion Phaneuf will be named captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs haven't had a captain since Sundin left after the 2007-08 season. Francois Beauchemin and…
Cheechoo to be bought out … Red Wings news … Blues-Mason talking
Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen: The writing is already on the wall that Jonathan Cheechoo will be bought out by the Ottawa Senators. The 2 week buyout period begins Tuesday, where teams can buyout the contracts at 2/3 their…
Lidstrom decision by week’s end … Flames talking with White … Back to Hartford?
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Nicklas Lidstrom will give his decision to Ken Holland by the end of this week if he'll retire or play another season for the Red Wings. Many teammates and personel in management…
NHL Draft Rumors for June 1st
James Murphy of NESN: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has said he'll select either Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin with the 2nd overall pick, and he may work at getting another high pick in the draft. The Bruins also own the…
Boucher back Saturday? Rob Blake leaning to retirement … Nabokov would like to stay in San Jose … Yzerman needs to lock up Stamkos
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Though it was speculated that his season was over after suffering sprained ligaments in both knees on May 10th, Brian Boucher returned to practice with the hope of dressing for game 1 on Saturday.…
Kovalchuk to KHL? Marleau talk … Blues to go after a D-man?
Mark Everson of the NY Post: Reports are floating around that Ilya Kovalchuk is signing with St. Petersburg of the KHL, but ... "Don't jump to conclusions," warned the source at the World Championships in Germany. David Pollak of the…
Agent denies 10 year extension for Backstrom … Flames to lose both Nystrom and White? What the Canucks face this off-season
Tarik El-Bashir via Twitter: El-Bashir gets confirmation from Nicklas Backstrom's agent that his client hasn't signed a 10 year extension with the Washington Capitals. The rumor was started by someone posting it in a forum or blog. Eric Francis of…