- Nick Cotsonika: Brad Richards agent tells SportsNet’s Hockey Central that he wouldn’t be surprised if Richards remains with the Rangers: “Maybe that’s my heart speaking rather than my head.”
- Hope Smoke: Elliotte Friedman: “I believe B.Richards will be bought out because A) Rangers need the cap space & B) Cap recapture is too onerous”
- Jim Diamond: Predators GM David Poile said that the Predators won’t use their compliance buyout.
- Sarah McLellan: Coyotes GM Don Maloney has received in the last 48 hours their budget number for next year. LeBlanc said they will be in the middle of the pack next year. The salary floor is expected to be around $51-$52 million and the ceiling around $69-$70 million.
- Kevin Maher: Islanders John Tavares is finished with his knee rehab. He’s been cleared by doctors for on-ice activity.
- Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “I think it’s safe to say the Leafs and all the other teams in the top 8 have kicked the tires on what it would take to get to #1” … “If the Leafs got to #1 they’d be interested in Aaron Ekblad“
- Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “Edmonton will also be interested in Ekblad but they’re not going to pay a huge premium b/c sitting at 3 they’re happy taking a C”
- Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “I think Van at 6 is another team that will kick tires and look to get up to 1. Van wants a C not a D”
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins could be leaning towards selecting a forward with the No. 22 pick at the draft. GM Jim Rutherford:
“My preference is take a forward,” he said.
“I have their list and I will rely heavily on Jason Botterill,” he said. “And then we’re going to have three or four days prior to the draft in Philadelphia when I can talk to them.”
