- Tom Gulitti of the Record: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello has said that coach Jacques Lemaire will be back coaching next season, and that he’ll try to re-sign Ilya Kovalchuk. There have been no talks as of yet between Lamoriello and the Kovalchuk side. Lou will also have to deal with UFA Paul Martin, who’ll be looking for something similar or more than his $4.5 salary.
- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Could the Washington Capitals look at trading Alexander Semin next year? The Caps have Ovechkin and Mike Green locked up long term, and are negotiating a long term extension with Nicklas Backstrom. Semin only signed a 1 year deal worth $6 million for next year. Semin can disappear, and can drive Bruce Boudreau nuts at times. Cox likens him to Phil Kessel, though a little older, and the 2 1st round picks and a 2nd round pick the Leafs gave up. The Caps have Marcus Johansson coming up soon. I also think they have some good, young secondary scores on the team that appear to be ready to step it up a notch and fight for 1st line time with Ovie and Backstrom. The Caps could also use some help on the blueline, a Semin deal could help them there.
- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: The Bruins would like to bring Dennis Seidenberg back next season, but they might have trouble fitting him in under the cap if he’s looking to earn more than last season, where Seidenberg earned $2.25 million.
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Wild GM Chuck Fletcher has begun contract talks with RFA Guillaume Latendresse yet. The Wild have wait until after July 1st to begin contract extension talks with Mikko Koivu.
Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove from last night :