- Jason Gregor via twitter: The Oilers will likely offer Ryan Smyth a 1 year contract with bonuses. He’s unlikely to get a 2 year deal. GM Steve Tambellini has said as much. Dan Tencer via twitter: GM Tambellini has said he hasn’t gotten a offer that he’s even close to considering for the #1 pick, and he thinks he’ll end up keeping it. Tambellini added he’ll draft by position in the later rounds and not with the 1st overall pick. He’ll take the best player available on their boards.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: If the Oilers draft Nail Yakupov, Matheson would expect them to shift to the left-wing to get into their top 6. He shoots left but has played on his off-wing. Jordan Eberle and Ales Hemsky play the right side. Is Sam Gagner a #2 center, a right winger or trade bait? Matheson wonders where Magnus Paajarvi fits in. Is he a top 6 or 9? He only scored 11 goals in 89 total games last year. Matheson doesn’t think that the Oilers would move any further back than 5th overall if they decided to move the pick.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Brooks thinks “it’s all but impossible to imagine No.9 will stay.” Brooks is referring to Zach Parise re-signing with the Devils. At least a dozen teams will inquire about him. This will likely be the last summer in which teams can sign players to front-loaded contracts and with no restrictions on term. Parise can expect to get offers similar to what Brad Richards got year, 9 years and $60 million. Richards receives $24 million in the first 2 years, including a $10 million and $8 million signing bonus. Parise is 28 years old and could get a 12 year offer. The Wild, Sharks, Maple Leafs and Bruins could be teams that are interested.
- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Flames GM Jay Feaster insists he’s able to spend to the salary cap ceiling if he wants to. Roger Millions had tweeted “Told #Flames will not be cap team anymore. In fact, expect them to be around 55 Million when hockey is played again.” Feaster said while addressing season ticket holders:
“We will be a cap team,” Feaster told the Sun yesterday. “Ownership has not wavered from that commitment.”
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: The Predators likely don’t have much leverage in a Alexander Radulov trade. Will not bringing Radulov back change Ryan Suter’s thinking? Shea Weber had pushed had to bring Radulov back, and have his thoughts changed now?
- David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: Brian Burke dismissed the rumors that he was about to be fired, or asked to resign or taking a sabbatical, “No, it’s never been discussed.” On whether he’s considering any type of hiatus, “The answer is no,” he said.
- Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: Jaromir Jagr is hoping to re-sign with the Flyers. and the 2-sides are working on a 1 year deal. Jagr’s agent, Petr Svoboda,
“I’ve talked to Jaromir and I have talked to Paul and we hope to get something done before the draft,”
Svoboda is also optimistic that Jakub Voracek will re-sign with the Flyers around draft time.
- Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: The Panthers have signed GM Dale Tallon to a contract extension. Tallon has said he has made contract offers to RFA Kris Versteeg and UFA Scott Clemmensen. He is close to making offers to UFAs Jason Garrison and Mikael Samuelsson. With the contract offer made to Clemmensen, it appears they are planning on having Jacob Markstrom in the AHL for 1 more season.
- Toronto Sun: Greg Jamison is trying to buy the Phoenix Coyotes, but according to Forbes, he having trouble raising cash to complete the $170 million sale. The City of Gendale is putting a $15 million a year taxpayer subsidy, but investors are doubting a profit can be turned.
- Andrew Gross via twitter: The Rangers are reporting issue free surgeries for forwards Marian Gaborik and Brandon Prust.
