- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Warren thinks that Jason Spezza has likely played his last game in a Senators uniform. The Senators could trade Spezza for a package that includes a “harder”player that GM Bryan Murray is looking for.
- Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning coach Jon Cooper on pending UFA Ryan Callahan.
“I really hope Ryan considers us a place he wants to spend the rest of his career, because as long as I am coaching this team, I want Ryan Callahan on the bench.”
Callahan’s agent, Stephen Barlett, on the Lightning.
“in the mix. … He has a great respect for the organization. We look forward to hearing what they have to say.”
Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: Panthers GM Dale Tallon and co-owners Vinnie Viola and Doug Cifu will decide in early May after their organizational meeting if they will remove the interim tag from head coach Peter Horachek. Tallon is in Finland at the U-18 World Championships.
- Ed Willes of the Vancouver Province: Canucks Trevor Linden met with Bruins president Cam Neely on Thursday, possibly for permission to speak with Bruins assistant GM Jim Benning about for their vacant GM position. No official request was submitted through the proper channels though.
“I’m trying to take time to think through things strategically,” said Linden, the newly minted Canucks’ president. “It’s Apr. 24 (Thursday), I have a lot of balls in the air; a lot of different pieces of the puzzle. It’s about taking time on each one and moving forward each day.
“I know from the outside people are wondering what’s going on. But this isn’t a two-week project. The ripple effect of each decision is significant. I have to understand things in the full situation. not just a sliver here or a sliver there.”
- Hope Smoke: Ray Ferraro: “Kulemin can be your 7th or 8th forward. I see him as a guy who can get you 15-18 goals” … “I like Kulemin a lot as a player but I’m not paying him $14 million for 4 years.”
- Chris Botta: The Islanders made $22 million in ticket revenue this past season. The Canadiens made $6 million in their first two playoff games this past week.
- Dave Stubbs: Source saying the Canadiens next series won’t start until after all series are finished.
