Nick Kypreos via twitter: Some are questioning Predators missing qualifying offers on RFA’s Cal O’Reilly, Nick Spaling, Matt Halischuk and Sergei Kostitsyn.
Pavel Lysenkov via twitter: Semyon Varlamov could sign a KHL contract tomorrow, 99% that it would be with SKA.
Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Erik Cole’s agent confirmed that he’d like to test free agency.
“Erik wants to see what the options are on July 1st,” Bartlett said via email. “That is in no way a slam on the Hurricanes or his appreciation of the role they have played in his career. He has never really explored free agency in his career and feels that he is at the age when it makes sense to see all offers before deciding on what he wants to do.”
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators currently have 15 players under contract at $43 million, and have a couple needs that would help bring them over the salary floor. 1. A forward who can put the puck in the net. 2. They need a backup goalie as they decided to let Curtis McElhinney walk. Some players they may go after are: Tomas Fleischmann, Michael Handzus, Tim Connolly, Josh Harding, Mike Smith, Alex Auld and Jose Theodore.
