Ted Kulfan via twitter: Kulfan points out for those who think Zach Parise is a lock for the Red Wings … The Rangers are an ideal fit, and he wouldn’t have to move. Alex Semin played well with Pavel Datsyuk and could be option B, but Kulfan isn’t sold on Semin under Babcock.
Mike Sielski of the Wall Street Journal: Through a spokesman, Rangers GM Glen Sather declined to comment on whether they will chase Zach Parise if he hits the open market on July 1st. There have been no formal talks between Parise’s side and Devils GM Lou Lamoriello. Parise has said he solely wants to focus on hockey. The Rangers would be $16 million under the cap based on a $64.3 million cap number.
The Fourth Period: If the Capitals chose not to re-sign Alexanders Semin, and they can’t replace his skill through free agency, they could look at the trade market. If they re-signed Dennis Wideman, they could make RFA Mike Green available. It’s believed they won’t re-sign UFAs Mike Knuble and Jeff Halpern.
Stephen Whyno of the Washington Times: As of several days ago, Dennis Wideman hadn’t meet with agent to discuss “what is going to happen or what’s going on.” Wideman is coming off a 4 year, $15.75 million deal. He’ll likely be looking for $4 million plus, and it could be hard for the Capitals to go up to $5 million if that is what he wants.
“Obviously, I like it here. I’ve had a lot of fun here in the last year,” Wideman said. “Obviously, I like where we’re going, the core group of guys is really, really good. So why not? I’d love to be back.”
John Vogl of the Bufffalo News: The Sabres signed defenseman Alexander Sulzer to a 1 year contract extension worth $725,000. They now have 8 defenseman under contract for next year. With a thin free agent crop at center, Sabres GM Darcy Regier may turn to trade market.
“The right center ice is a priority,” Regier said in First Niagara Center. “The real unknown here is what the trade market will hold. Nothing has started. It doesn’t get started until after the playoffs. Teams begin to talk, and then it really builds as you go into the draft.”
“It’s tough to know what will be available, but if we can find the right centerman it would help.”
The Sabres current top 3 centers are Derek Roy, Cody Hodgson and Tyler Ennis.
Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: The Hurricanes re-signed defenseman Jamie McBain to a 2 year deal worth $1.7 million next year and $1.9 the following year. They also re-signed Bobby Sanguinetti to a 1 year, 2-way contract. $700,000 in the NHL and $105,000 in the AHL. Bryan Allen and Jaroslav Spacek are both UFAs and may not be brought back. The Hurricanes also signed forward Nicolas Blanchard to a 2 year, 2-way deal.
Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: The Bruins have a current cap hit at about $58 million for next year. That number could drop if Marc Savard is put on the LTIR. The summer cap number could jump to $68-69 million but drop below the $64.3 million with the new CBA. They need to re-sign Tuukka Rask, and won’t have much room for Benoit Pouliot, Chirs Kelly, Gregory Campbell, Daniel Paille, Brian Rolston, Greg Zanon, Joe Corvo and Mike Mottau. Trading Tim Thomas would create some more cap space. Greg Zanon’s agent said he thinks the Bruins would like to bring him back. They currently have 5 Dmen under contract, and prospect Dougie Hamilton could make the team. Tomas Vokoun could be a cheap free agent pickup, the Maple Leafs could be interested.
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Portzline thinks the Blue Jackets will get a good return for Rick Nash, but not the best player in the deal. They should hope to get 2 NHL players, a prospect and a draft or some variation of that. The Blue Jackets may not get a #1 goalie in a Nash deal. The Sharks could include Antti Niemi, but teams like the Rangers, Maple Leafs and Bruins don’t have a #1 goalie, or one they’d move. He doesn’t think Blue Jackets will take the Kings pick this, and will instead use it next year.
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Cox reports the NJ Devils will lose about $20 million this year and are on the edge of bankruptcy. The NHL has already loaned them millions of dollars. Owner Jeff Vanderbeek (has 47% share in the team) has been looking for about 18 for another owner that would be interested in the 47% that is for sale. It could get tricky for the Devils trying to re-sign Zach Parise to a big deal. The Red Wings and Wild will be among the teams interested in Parise. The Maple Leafs likely won’t, as they may be looking at the much bigger Rick Nash.
Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals Mike Green is one of 4 RFAs for the Capitals (John Carlson, Jay Beagle and Mathieu Perreault) and his value is the most difficult to figure out. He’s coming off a 4 year, $21 million deal. His qualifying offer would be $5 million, and if they offered him that, and he accepted, he’d be a UFA after next year.
“That’s something that we’ll talk about, I’m sure, after things settle down here,” Green said, “I’m excited to come back if that’s the game plan. That’s what I want, but we’ll see.”
“Absolutely, I love it here,” he said. “This is a great organization, a great city and I believe that we’re going to win a Cup here and I want to be a part of it.”