NHL Rumors: LA Kings, Red Wings, Jets, Flames, and Sabres
Buffalo Sabres center Ryan O'Reilly owed a $7.5 million signing bonus on July 1st.
On the Los Angeles Kings …

Pierre LeBurn: The Kings are expected to start contract extension talks with Drew Doughty. They’ve had a few talks already about the overall concept of a deal and they’ll get to the numbers soon.

On Some Free Agent Notes …

Will Nault: Chris Johnson was on Sportsnet 960 talking about some pending free agents and where they could be going. Cam Ward could be going to Chicago on a one-year deal at around $2.5 million. Carter Hutton to the Sabres but details are not known. Jonathan Bernier on a three-year deal to the Detroit Red Wings. Sounding like the Winnipeg Jets and Paul Stastny are going to work out a deal, but the Jets need to move out some money.

On the Calgary Flames …

Will Nault: Though Chris Johnson said on Sportsnet 960 doesn’t have any details, but it looks like Derek Ryan is a fit for the Calgary Flames. Can expect Ryan sign with the Flames on July 1st.

On the Buffalo Sabres …

Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Looking at some potential free agent options for the Sabres.

Goaltenders: Carter Hutton, Jonathan Bernier, and Petr Mrazek.

Forwards: James Neal, David Perron, Michael Grabner, Anthony Duclair, Tom Kuhnackl, Jay Beagle, Nick Shore, Tyler Bozak, and Leo Komarov.

Defense: Ian Cole, and Brooks Orpik.

Jeremy Rutherford: Prospect Robert Thomas isn’t part of any trade talks involving the Sabres.

Chris Nichols of FRS Hockey: Darren Dreger was on TSN 690 talking about Buffalo Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly. Dreger puts the odds at 50-50 that O’Reilly gets traded.

“The deal that it sounds like Buffalo is looking for is a first-round pick, a real good prospect – a top prospect, in fact – and then a second-round pick. My understanding is that’s the deal that Buffalo is looking for AND that’s before July 1. So the team that acquires him has to pay the $7.5 million bonus. If Buffalo pays the 7.5, then I think that the expectation of return after July 1 goes up even higher because of that financial penalty.”