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…
Trade Rumors: Kessel, Penguins trio, Goligoski or Daly and the Leafs should move up in the draft
Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star: Feschuk thinks it's time for the Maple Leafs to trade Phil Kessel. There’d be no better time to trade Kessel, considering his excellent run of play as the league’s sixth-leading regular-season scorer has put…
Morning Rumors: Goalies, Coaches, Ryan, Hainsey, Yakupov, Hurricanes and Bobrovsky
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: There is talk that as many as 10 teams are thinking about their goaltending situation. Among the teams thinking No. 1 goalies are: Flyers, Panthers, Oilers, Capitals, Sabres, Blues, Lightning, Flames, Wild and Islanders.…
Quick Hits: Allaire, Cole, Tippett and Smith
Louis Jean: Francois Allaire has been contacted by several teams, "I can't say for certain I'll be back in the NHL I've done this job for 28 years. At the same time I'm not saying I'm not interested. We'll evaluate the opportunities."…
Morning Hits: Roy and Radulov, Stoll, Jets injuries, Bobrosky’s contract, Fleury and other goaltending scenarios
Dan Rosen: If the Senators win Game 5 tonight, Game 6 will go on Sunday at 7:30 pm, moving the Kings-Sharks to 10 pm. If the Penguins win, the Kings-Sharks will be at 8 pm. Josh Cooper: Cooper points out…
Morning Hits: Briere, Smith, Bryzgalov, Elias, Iginla, Laviolette, Byfuglien, Whitney and the Hurricanes
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: If the Flyers buyout Daniel Briere, he could end up in Montreal.Coyotes Mike Smith is looking for $6 million a year and has refused to sign a deal with the Coyotes. Smith could be an…
Roster and Goalie Notes: Callahan, Clowe, Bolland, Emery, Pominville, Forsberg and starting goalies
Andrew Gross: Rangers Ryan Callahan may have hurt his hand blocking a shot last night and is not at practice today. Derek Dorsett is in a non-contact jersey. Jim Cerny: Ryane Clowe is not practicing today. Kris Newbury is practicing. Collene…
Morning Hits: Stars offseason, Miller lists townhouse, Oilers could make several moves this offseason and Forsberg to AHL
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: (from a chat) Heika thinks the Stars could look at a right handed center in the draft or on the right wing. Elias Lindholm will likely be gone by the time they pick.…
Morning Hits: Smith, Sabres, Luongo, Blues, Oilers, Iginla and Kessel
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Coyotes Mike Smith, GM Don Maloney and coach Dave Tippett don't have contracts for next season. Smith is seeking $6 million a season.The Sabres could fire GM Darcy Regier and replace him Rick Dudley. Regier…
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…
Injury Notes: Salvador, Kovalchuk, Calvert, Gunnarsson, Smith and Korpikoski
Tom Gulitti: Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador on returning from his bruised wrist: "It looks like I'm going to run out of time." Tom Gulitti: Devils Ilya Kovalchuk wants to play again this season, even if they are eliminated. He has had…
Morning Hits: Smith, Howard, Goalie trade market, Forsberg and Briere
David Pagnotta: Coyotes GM Don Maloney said that serious contract negotiations with Mike Smith won't happen until their ownership situation is settled. Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings and Jimmy Howard have basically agreed on a six-year…