Options for ‘Hawks if Niemi isn’t back … Stars would match most offer sheets for Neal
Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago: There hasn't been much progress between the Chicago Blackhawks and Antti Niemi. Niemi's arbitration date is set for July 29th (arbitration dates for all players). They could still trade him before the arbitration date, walk away…
5 teams interested in Bieksa … Johnson-Blues making progress … No progress on Wheeler
Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Anaheim Ducks could now be targeting Canucks defenseman, Kevin Bieksa. The Kings, Sharks, Blue Jackets, and the Montreal Canadiens have also shown interest. If Bieksa doesn't work out, they could also look at…
Semin staying … Spezza happy … Columbus interested in Bieksa/Kaberle … Kings shopping Williams/Stoll
Pierre LeBrun via twitter: An NHL GM told LeBrun that he heard that in the next CBA they'll look to have the average of the five highest salaried years count against the cap. That's one of several ideas that's being…
That free agent guy … Bieksa getting some interest … No rush for Modano
Mark Everson of the NY Post: A source close to Ilya Kovalchuk is saying he's still deciding between a couple teams, but the saga is close to ending. One source is saying the Kings have a 50-50 chance of signing…
Leafs and Lightning interested in Gagne … Filatov returning in August … No Modano in Anaheim
Dave Fuller of the Toronto Sun: When asked if he's interested in trading for Simon Gagne, Brian Burke said in an email, "Not at this time". The Maple Leafs, Kings and Rangers are said to be interested. Fuller took Burke's…
The Guy who won’t sign … Elias hoping for Kaberle … Neal and Stars not close
Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Ilya Kovalchuk left Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon, his agent stayed to have more talks with GM Dean Lombardi, but left last night without a deal in place. There were rumors that the talks were…
More on that Kovalchuk guy … Gagne might get waived if trade can’t be found … Chara, Bergeron getting extension?
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Ilya Kovalchuk wants to play in Los Angeles, and the Kings would like to have, but the Kings won't pay the money/term that Kovalchuk wants. The Kings may be looking to avoid a 'Blackhawks' situation, with…
Kovalchuk and Kings talks back on? Gagne trade tied to Kovalchuk
Helen Elliott via Twitter: Kings GM Dean Lombardi says Kings and Kovalchuk are "re-engaged", Kovalchuk to make counter-offer today. Pierre LeBrun heard the same thing this morning. Chuck Gormley of the Courier Post: The trading of Simon Gagne may be…
NHL Free Agency Rumors to heat up
Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Pittsburgh Penguins are hoping to sign both Dan Hamhuis and Sergei Gonchar, loading up on their blueline and sacrificing bringing in a winger or two. Along with Gonchar and Hamhuis, they would have…
Not many trades at the draft, but that could change now … Savard to Leafs?
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: It appears that the Toronto Maple leafs are considering trading for Marc Savard. Savard is willing to waive his no trade clause for either Toronto or Ottawa. Savard received a concussion from a Matt…
Twitter quick hit rumors
1st round draft results at myNHLdraft.com James Mirtle via Twitter: The Philadelphia Flyers trade the rights to Dan Hamhuis to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2011 3rd round pick. Tim Panaccio via Twitter: 2 teams are in on Evgeni Nabokov`s…
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…