“98% sure” for Kovalchuk … No Sweatt for Leafs … No Love of Lee
Helene Elliott of the LA Times: According to one of Elliott's sources, "he's 98% sure" that Ilya Kovalchuk and the Los Angeles Kings will get a deal done, either side will not comment on it. (For the love of God…
Kovalchuk and Kings close … Market to open up soon? Malkin to the wing with Crosby
Nick Kyperos via Twitter: 8:40 AM Post - "A big swing in the Ilya/Kings talks. Major stumbling blocks have been rectified. A source now described it to me as "close but not done" Mike Russo via Twitter: Lockout protection has…
Rangers need Kovalchuk? Modano has more options … Burke still looking for more … Bruins remaining off-season issues
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers don't have any young, blue chip prospects coming up that would need to receive big contracts once Marc Staal is done, so they don't need to conserve money on that front. They…
Though choices in Chicago … Gagne to Leafs? No ‘Sweat’ for Leafs? Senators need a tough Dman
Tim Sassone of the Chicago Tribune: With the Sharks signing Niklas Hjalmarsson to a 4 year, $14 million offer sheet, the Blackhawks may have to decide if they want to keep Hjalmarsson, Antti Niemi, or possibly Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks…
Kovalchuk and the Devils … Modano, Wings or retirement … Family concerns for Nabokov
Mark Everson of the NY Post: Nothing much has changed with Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils the past couple days. They are still considered the leading NHL candidate (maybe the only NHL candidate) to sign the Russian super-star.…
Are the Kings interested in Gagne and others? Modano has 4 options … Not much going on for Frolov
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: One report is saying the Los Angeles Kings are out of the running for Simon Gagne, and another says they are still interested. Things were quiet involving Tomas Kaberle over the weekend, but should pick up…
Will offer sheets start to come? Rumors surrounding Kovalchuk
Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: With the lack of depth in the NHL Free Agent market, teams may send out an offer sheets to improve their club. Some possible restricted free agents are Bobby Ryan, Marc Staal, Steve Downie,…
Leafs talking to Afinogenov … Yzerman still shopping … Bieksa receiving interest
David Pagnotta via Twitter: The Stars are still dangling Mike Ribeiro, but nothing is close. Rob Rossi via Twitter: The Penguins will take the weekend to look at some trade possibilities. They'd like to add a veteran 'character' guy who…
NHL Draft Day Rumors
George Richards of the Miami Herald: It's looking like the Florida Panthers will be selecting Erik Gudbranson with the 3rd overall pick. Erik Erlendsson via Twitter: The Tampa Bay Lightning are getting calls about the 6th overall pick, but Yzerman…
Ryan to Leafs unlikely … Volchenkov and Spezza update … Bruins how to trade Thomas this week
Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Despite some wishes from Leaf Nation, it's unlikely that Bobby Ryan will end up with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have made no contact with the Ducks, but have been monitoring the situation.…
More on the Flyers goalie situation … Leafs and Blue Jackets interested in Patrick Sharp …
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Carchidi thinks the Flyers should re-sign Leighton and go after a 'more proven goalie'. Brian Boucher is still under contract for one more year (at a reasonable number), and they could try to get…
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…