Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: “We’ll do everything we can,” Lou Lamoriello said in regards to re-signing Zach Parise before his August 3rd arbitration hearing. “That’s the total focus right now,” Lamoriello said. Lamoriello is also still talking with RFA defenseman Maxim Noreau, who’s also considering playing in Switzerland.
Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: The Rangers will now turn their attention to RFA Ryan Callahan. They have an arbitration hearing set for Thursday but both sides would like to a deal done before then. There is a 48 hour buyout window later that the Rangers may take advantage of if they are unable to a make a trade to clear some money off the books.
Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier “took the cautious route” in his negotiations with Josh Gorges who is coming of knee surgery. The 1 year, $2.5 million will leave Gorges a UFA after this season. Will the Canadiens be able to re-sign him or would have it been better to offer him a 4 year, $12 million deal? Gorges could have a good season and another team could give him an offer he can’t refuse. There are rumblings that Gauthier could be looking to add another forward. So far their lines could look like: “Tomas Plekanec between Michael Cammalleri and Erik Cole, while Scott Gomez centres newlywed Max Pacioretty and Brian Gionta. Lars Eller will start with Andrei Kostitsyn and Travis Moen, with David Desharnais centring Ryan White and Mathieu Darche.
Katie Strang of Newsday: Alexei Yashin and the Islanders are still talking.
“The thing is, I’m an unrestricted free agent,” Yashin said by phone Monday. “I’ll look at all situations. We’ll see what is the right decision for me.”
Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: The Canucks and Jannik Hansen’s agent will exchange briefs before Friday’s arbitration hearing.
“You see the opposing side’s case, you then have two days to prepare your presentation and rebuttal,” Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman said Tuesday. “You know what the other side’s position is at that point.”