Free Agent Hits: Rask, Smith, Letang, Clarkson, Bickell, Mikkelson, Red Wings and Pietrangelo
Bob McKenzie: McKenzie figures Tuukka Rask's new deal will be in the $7 million range. Pierre LeBrun: Positive talks between the Coyotes and Mike Smith. Could be a 6-year deal. The franchises future is still a factor. Pierre LeBrun: Kris…
Lecavalier Hits: Maple Leafs, Blackhawks, Bruins, Panthers and Stars
Pierre LeBrun: Vincent Lecavalier could have a shortlist of teams drawn up tonight or tomorrow morning and could be down to 1 or 2 teams buy draft time. Josh Rimer: Not a surprise that the Leafs have spoken with Lecavalier.…
NHL Rumor Roundup from LeBrun and Garrioch
Tim Panaccio: A GM: "Vinny will make up what he lost. I'm glad I sat out 3-plus months for this. What a scam. It's gonna be a bidding war for him." Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Teams are allowed to talk…
Draft Hits: Maple Leafs, Devils, Predators, Kings and Senators
Rob Longley: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis on moving up at the draft: "Our scouts feel there will be a quality player at 21." Tom Gulitti: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello doesn't rule out trading up or down, depends on opportunity.…
Free Agent Hits: Alfredsson, Lecavalier fits, Bruins and the Maple Leafs
Marie Lehmann: Daniel Alfredsson: "I needed a few weeks to see if the necessary urge for summer training and precamp was there. And it is." Bruce Garrioch: The Senators will make news official later and contract negotiations will start this…
Quick Hits: DiPietro, Oilers and Leafs coaching notes, Kampfer and Blunden
The Fourth Period: A source is saying the Islanders are still considering buying out Rick DiPietro. It's unclear when the Islanders would do this. Teams have until July 4th. If they buy him out, would cost $24 million over 16…
Trade Rumors: Letang, Bolland, BlackHawks, Panthers, Wild, Canucks, Oilers and Flyers
Josh Rimer: IF Toronto was going to trade for Kris Letang, it would take at least Jake Gardiner and Nikolai Kulemin. Bob Stauffer: The Blackhawks are said to be looking for a Jason Pominville like return for Dave Bolland. Mark…
Maple Leafs Letang’s preferred destination if not the Penguins? Maybe, Maybe not
Chris Nichols of SportsNet: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Rossi said on the Fan 590 that Kris Letang's preferred destination if he doesn't re-sign with the Penguins is the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also added that he's not saying the Leafs have…
Buyout Hits: Lightning to buyout Vinny, Oilers, Leafs, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Islanders and Capitals
Renaud Lavoie: The Lightning will buyout Vincent Lecavalier. CapGeek: The buyout will cost $30 million over 14 years, $2,142,857 per year through 2027. Pierre LeBrun: Lecavalier will get his $8 million bonus paid out in full over the next three years,…
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…
Maple Leafs Hits: Bernier, Phaneuf, Lupul, Gagner, Stastny, Komisarek, Bozak, MacArthur, Grabovski and Liles
Renaud Lavoie: The Leafs and Jonathan Bernier's agent spoke yesterday. Contract talks will start this week. Darren Dreger: Will talk in the next day or two. Bernier could become a UFA in three years. L.A. Lariviere: Bernier's deal could get…
Quick Hits: Bergeron, Scuderi, Komisarek, Kaberle and Tortorella
Joe Haggerty: Confirms that Patrice Bergeron's injury "isn't a ruptured spleen" as he wouldn't have been able to fly with the team. Pierre LeBrun: The Maple Leafs retain $500,000 in the Jonathan Bernier deal which gives the Kings an important…