- Anaheim Ducks via twitter: “Teemu Selanne told media that he’d like to decide on whether to play next season around July 1.”
- Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago: Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford will be a RFA, and they will be waiting until after the season to discuss contract extension. ” Stan Bowman phoned me and we talked and I told him we are going to wait until the end of the season,” Gilles Lupien said in an interview. Crawford is 29-15 with a 2.27 GAA and 4 shutouts.
- Dan Rosen of NHL.com: Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp could skate this weekend, he’s missed the last 4 games with a knee injury. They’d like to get him into a game before the end of the season. David Bolland has missed 8 consecutive game with a concussion, no update on his progress.
- Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch: After being given a vote of confidence, Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson, he’ll have plenty of cap space next year after they deal with their 4 RFA’s and 8 UFA’s. They could look at bringing in a quality defenseman and center. They could pull off a draft day trade.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: If given the option to pick 1 free agent to go after, Portzline thinks the Blue Jackets should go after Ilya Bryzgalov. He’d likely cost $6 million a year, it’s not likely they they go after him though. Portzline would also be shocked if they don’t trade their 1st round pick this year. They only have 2 defenseman under contract for next year.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Dater thinks the Avalanche will explore the FA goalie market this off-season, and thinks they should look at Bryzgalov and Tomas Vokoun if they are available. He also brings up the idea of trading their 1st round pick (Top 5) for a goalie like Cory Schneider (Van) or Steve Bernier (LA). The Avs could look at moving one of their centers as they are deep down the middle. Paul Stastny could be an option, and has a $6.6 million cap hit. Dater put the odds at more than 50-50 that they re-sign Brian Elliott. Dater on possibly trading the Avs 1st round pick (could be top 3): Raises the question of sending the 1st for Schneider or Bernier. What about for Roberto Luongo or even Jonathan Quick? The Avs could still get the Blues 1st round pick from this year if the Blues finish 11th or better. Free agents like Bryzgalov and Vokoun may not want to sign with another young team.
- Dan Rosen of NHL.com: Red Wings GM Ken Holland said that Jimmy Howard could be back in uniform tonight, and if not, he should be ready for Saturday.
- John Buccigross via twitter: The NY Islanders have signed goalie Al Montoya to a 1 year contract extension.
- Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Canucks forward Manny Malhotra underwent another eye surgery yesterday. It will take 6 to 8 weeks to see how the eye responds.