Craig Custance of the Sporting News: The Predators wanted to signed Shea Weber to a long-term deal, and still have plenty of time to do so. One NHL team executive said they have to consider trading him: “You’ve got no choice now,” he told Sporting News. “The relationship is probably already damaged.”If Brent Burns returned Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle and a 1st round pick. Custance thinks Weber would bring back something “astounding.” A deal could give the Predators the scoring they need up front and more financial room to lock up Ryan Suter and Pekka Rinne who’ll be UFA’s after this season.
James Murphy of ESPN Boston: Bruins RFA Brad Marchand said talks are starting to pick up:
“I have no idea right now … what the numbers are or how long it’s going to be,” Marchand told Steve Murphy of CTV Atlantic when asked what kind of contract he may sign. “Right now, we’re just kind of getting into things. It’s been a long summer and people have been on vacation and enjoying the Cup so we’re going to start getting into it pretty heavily here and hopefully we’ll get something done soon.”
Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: The Canucks may look to make a trade closer to training camp. They could look to add a top 6 forward if the right one becomes available. Ryan Kesler is out 10-12 weeks and will miss the start of the season. Free agent Brad Winchester is still calling the Canucks trying to get a deal.
Slava Malamud via twitter: Nikolai Zherdev’s contract with Atlant of the KHL is only for 1 year as he hopes to continue his career in the NHL, but does the NHL feel the same?
Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Patrick Sharp contract breakdown: 2011-12 $2 million with a $4 million signing bonus. 2012-13 $3.5 million with a $3 million signing bonus. 2013-14 $4.5 million with a $2 million signing bonus. 2014-15 $5.5 million. 2015-16 $5 million.
Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: Ray Emery will be given every chance to beat out Alexander Salak as the Blackhawks backup goalie in training camp.
“We figure it’s a good opportunity to see how (Emery) stacks up against Salak,” general manager Stan Bowman said Wednesday. “There were questions going into last year how would (Emery) recover from his injury. He kind of single-handedly got (the Ducks) into the playoffs when Hiller went down. He certainly has the ability. It’s going to make for good competition.”