- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Dave Nonis had offers from three NHL teams, including the Canadiens, before deciding to take a senior consulting position with the Ducks.
- J.J. Regan of CSN Washington: KHL defenseman Ilya Nikulin is looking to jump to the NHL, and he’s been linked to the Capitals by two report. KHL.ru is reporting that Nikulin wants to follow former teammate Yevgeni Medvedev in North America this year. Ak Bars head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov.
“I can understand why players like Medvedev and Nikulin want to try and play in the NHL,” Bilyaletdinov said. “It’s a good league, and it’s an honor to play there. I’m sure Ilya will make the right choice and will get his contract over there.”
Nikulin is a close friend of Alex Ovechkin, and there is a report that Ovechkin could be the godfather to Nikulin’s son. There is a report from rsport.ru that the Capitals and Nikulin were having contract talks.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets still have an offer on the table for UFA defenseman Christian Ehrhoff. He has offers from at least a couple other teams as well. Ehrhoff’s camp is fine with one-year deal, but he’s looking for more money. He wants to play in the NHL.
Portzline createsa lineup of remaining UFAs.
F1: Curtis Glencross – Steppen Weiss – Daniel Briere
F2: Martin Havlat – Olli Jokinen – Michael Ryder
F3: Martin Erat – Tomas Fleischmann – Brenden Morrow
F4: Erik Cole – Marcel Goc – B.J. Crombeen
extras: Tyler Kennedy, Jiri TlustyD1: Christian Ehrhoff – Andrej Meszaros
D2: Jan Hejda – Cody Franson
D3: Tim Gleason – Marek Zidlicky
extra: John ErskineG1: Josh Harding
G2: Jonas Gustavsson
G3: Ray Emery
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Potential Stars lines: Benn-Seguin-Sharp, Nichushkin-Spezza-Hemsky, Roussel-Eakin-Eaves , Mckenzie-Fiddler-Sceviour
Defensive Pairings: Oduya-Klingberg, Nemeth-Goligoski, Jokipakka-Demers
