Free Agent Hits: Wild, Coyotes, Leafs, Islanders, Penguins and Red Wings
Michael Russo: Niklas Backstrom's 3-year contract extension is for $10.25 million, a $3.42 million salary cap hit. Sarah McLellan: Coyotes GM Don Maloney said that management and coaches had talks with Mike Smith and his agent last week. Jeff Simmons…
Rumors: Oilers, Flyers, Rask, Iginla and Penguins
Bob McKenzie: McKenzie thinks that the Oilers will deal their No. 7 overall pick, as well as some players. Bob McKenzie: The Flyers are in the market for a defenseman and could be willing to move one of Brayden Schenn…
Morning Hits: B’s and Pens, UFAs Smith and Clarkson, Dubinsky, Forensic investigation, Flyers buyout and Brodeur starts
Pierre LeBrun: NHL announces that the Bruins-Penguins game will definitely be played today at 12:30. Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Coyotes uncertainty will play a role in where UFA Mike Smith will end up. He might be interested remaining…
Top 5 trade targets … Capitals willing to move top prospects … Senators have prospects for Perry … Pens looking to add scoring
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: A few GMs may be wondering if their jobs are safe. "I would think there's a few guys around the league who are wondering," said a league executive. "Teams often copy each other and…
Karlsson has lacerated Achilles, video breakdown of the incident … Zubrus needs surgery … Realignment tweaked
Ottawa Senators via twitter: Senators Erik Karlsson suffered a laceration to his left Achilles that will require surgery. He'll be out indefinitely. Bruce Garrioch via twitter: League executives say that Karlsson could be recovering for 4 to 6 months depending on…
Trade activity could be heated … Leafs say no to Bernier, others could be interested … Sens could look for a Dman … Iginla and free agency
Greg Wyshynski via twitter: Capitals GM George McPhee said that trade activity could be heavy before the season starts. He was already getting calls. Clarifying, that he was referring to trade activity in the NHL and not necessarily for the Capitals.…
Some CBA notes … Players think season could be lost … Enstrom, Pavelec, Pacioretty and Tarasenko heading overseas
David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: The NHL and NHLPA will meet in Toronto today, but they will be discussing HRR for last season. It is held annually for each sides final approval on HRR. An NHLPA spokesman said…
Some quick afternoon hits involving: Crosby, Blues sale, Cooke, waivers, McDonald, Bishop, Devils lines and starting goalies
Darren Dreger via twitter: "Sounds like Sid is doing well in Atlanta. Daily treatments. Skating everyday. Making progress." Andy Strickland via twitter: Sources are saying Blues minority owner Tom Sillman has signed a purchase agreement to buy the St. Louis…
Avery demotion affects Stars … Leafs not after Gagner … No-touch icing will pass … Cumiskey traded to Ducks … No suspensions for Sarich and Mills
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning Stars: The Dallas Stars are paying half of Sean Avery's salary still, even with Rangers sending him to the minors. But they have been told by the NHL that while Avery is in the…
Injury updates involving Sens, Sharks, Capitals, Lightning … Audio involving Matt Cooke suspension
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson thinks the Oilers should look at Capitals forward Brooks Laich, who'll be a UFA on July 1st. But he also thinks the Capitals will give him a raise on his $2.4 million salary…
Matt Cooke suspensed for elbow on Ryan McDonagh
Updated 5:10 pm: Nick Kypreos via twitter: Matt Cooke has been suspended for rest of the regular season and the 1st round of the playoffs. Statement from Penguins GM Ray Shero: “The suspension is warranted because that’s exactly the kind…
Afternoon NHL notes involving the Penguins, Capitals, Maple Leafs, Flyers and Avs
Nick Kypreos via twitter: Kypreos was informed that Mario Lemieux and Matt Cooke spoke yesterday and "was basically told to change the way he plays or leave." Mike Vogl via twitter: With 1 game in 6 days, Ovechkin won't travel…