- Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning’s Ryan Malone is still in the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program. It is believed that players in this program can still be bought out. The buyout period starts 48 hours after the Stanley Cup final or on June 15th, whichever is later, and ends on June 30th. The Lightning have one compliance buyout left as they used their first on Vinny Lecavalier. A Malone buyout would cost them $2.5 million, $1.67 million over two seasons.
- Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: Peter Laviolette is on Dale Tallon’s list of people to interview for the Panthers head coaching position. Tallon said last week that he has three candidates, but hasn’t talked to any yet. He wants to have a coach in place by the draft and doesn’t want one who centers around a defensive zone trap. That might eliminate Barry Trotz.
- Mike Halford of Pro Hockey Talk: Panthers GM Dale Tallon:
“I’m open for business,” Tallon said. “You have three options, you either take it, move back, or trade it. So that’s what we’re looking at. What’s the best deal for our future, that’s the key.”
“I definitely will , especially this year,” he explained. “We had a couple of nibbles the day after we won . There were a couple guys calling to bust my chops, asking ‘what are you going to do?’ And that’s fine. It’s a good thing.”
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Could the Oilers and Panthers talk about switching first round picks? Would a Sam Gagner and the third pick for the first overall work?
- Harvey Fialkov: Fialkov wouldn’t be surprised if the Panthers signed Tim Thomas to backup Roberto Luongo.
