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5 teams interested in Bieksa … Johnson-Blues making progress … No progress on Wheeler
Mark Easson
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 Edmonton’s Sheldon Souray, if they’d take Jason Blake’s contract back.
Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Passes on the rumor that Montreal Canadiens are interested in Kevin Bieksa, and that 2010 1st round pick Jarred Tinordi could be headed the other way. The Canucks like Tinordi, but I doubt the Canadiens would go for it.
Jeremy Rutherford via twitter: Eric Johnson and the St. Louis Blues are getting closer on a contract extension, but there is still work to do.
James Murphy special to ESPNBoston: Blake Wheeler’s arbitration date is set for July 27th, and there hasn’t been any progress in recent talks. The two sides will meet again this weekend.
Chris Vivlamore via twitter: Slava Kozlov still hopes to play in the NHL next season, if not, he’ll head back to Russia.
Ben Wright of Bluelandblog: The Atlanta Thrashers walked away from Clarke MacArthur’s $2.4 million arbitration ruling. They have 12 forwards locked up, with prospects looking to crack the lineup: Spencer Machacek, Patrice Cormier, Carl Klingberg and Alex Burmistrov.