TSN: Pierre LeBrun on Tim Thomas: The Bruins may look to trade him when his no-trade clause expires, but Thomas may also be considering not playing next year, taking a year off. He’s had a stressful year. Darren Dreger on Roberto Luongo: GM Mike Gillis will meet with Luongo this week to see if his views have changed for his future. There has been interest for Luongo but there is an equal chance they don’t do anything and he remains a Canuck. Pierre LeBrun on Tomas Vokoun: The Leafs could still look at Luongo. but UFA Vokoun or trading for Anders Lindback may be more likely. Vokoun turned down a KHL offer, and LeBrun thinks that Vokoun sees a fit in Toronto. Bob McKenzie on Flyers: Vokoun may be an option for Flyers as well. The Flyers may not think Sergei Bobrovsky has enough experience needed to be Ilya Bryzgalov’s backup. Bob McKenzie on Canadiens coaching search: The Canadiens search is likely down to Michel Therrien and Marc Crawford. Darren Dreger on Calagry: You don’t hire a coach like Hartley if you’re going to trade away veteran players like Jarome Iginla. Darren Dreger on Capitals coaching search: The Capitals could hire their new coach from within the organization, with Dean Evason and Jim Johnson as strong candidates. Pierre LeBrun on Jordan Staal: The Penguins have had calls regarding Staal’s availability, but they may be still hoping to re-sign him and Sidney Crosby to contract extensions. If they can’t get both deals done, then Staal could go on the market. Bob McKenzie on Justin Schultz: It’s going to be hard for the Ducks to make a deal involving Schultz. He’s trying to make it happen and there are many teams that are interested in him if he becomes a UFA. McKenzie thinks the Canucks, Maple Leafs and Oilers are extremely interested. It’s going to be hard for the Ducks to get anything for him, and will likely hit free agency.
Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: With Nicklas Lidstrom retiring, it may “throw a wrinkle” into the Wild’s plan to pursue Ryan Suter if he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The Red Wings are now expected to pursue Suter as well. The Wings can’t talk to him, but he has to know there is a spot for him there if he’s interested. The Predators have a tendency to trade UFAs that won’t re-sign with them, and they have past of doing so with the Flyers. The Flyers are also interested in Suter. Guillaume Latendresse tweeted: “Doc send me home saying that im at 100% and better than before my concussion, he predict my best season haha really exciting.” Latendresse will be a RFA and requires a $2.5 million qualifying offer, which doesn’t look like will happen. They may try to re-sign him at different number.
Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Jets defenseman Tobias Enstrom has a cap hit of $3.75 million next season in the last year of his deal, and will be looking for a nice raise on his next deal. Wiebe isn’t suggesting that the Jets are or will be putting him on the trade block, but they’ll likely have to listen to offers when teams come calling. Enstrom could bring back a top 6 forward that they are looking for. The Jets have Dustin Byfuglien under contract at a $5.2 million cap hit until 2015-16 and Zach Bogosian will be a RFA at the end of next season. Paul Postma was an AHL all-star and is ready for NHL duty.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators Daniel Alfredsson indicated at the World Championships that he may have played his last game in a Senators uniform. He has one year left on his deal at $1 million.
James Mirtle via twitter: The GMs were told that the salary cap is expected to be $70.3 million over the summer. Where it will be in the new CBA is obviously not known.
Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Pierre Maguire said on WFAN at the the Penguins, Blackhawks and Red Wings are the most likely destinations for Zach Parise if he leaves the Devils. He would be shocked if Parise goes to the Rangers.
Mark Masters via twitter: Oilers GM Steve Tambellini on their 1st overall pick: “At the end of the day, you know, we’re probably going to make the pick.”
Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Nicklas Lidstrom told Hockey Expressen that he made the decision to retire last week. Eric Francis via twitter: Flames Mark Giordano was eyed last year as a possible “replacement” for Lidstrom before he signed the 5 year, $2o million extension.
Eric Francis via twitter: The chances of the Flames trading Miikka Kiprusoff the offseason are slim.
Jim Matheson via twitter: If Ryan Suter doesn’t re-sign with the Predators, it may be the Red Wings vs the Flyers for him.
Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Canadiens head coaching job is down to Michel Therrien or Marc Crawford. Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Patrick Roy along with other candidates will have another interview soon with the Canadiens soon. Philippe Cantin is also reporting that Roy is still in the mix.
Darren Dreger via twitter: Iginla trade rumors could heat up. Could Jay Bouwmeester be on the block?
Craig Custance via twitter: Red Wings GM Ken Holland said that trade talks have already begun at the GM meetings.
Bill Watters via twitter: If a Roberto Luongo trade happens, it would be trade of cap liabilities. Luongo’s cap hit over 8 years “will cripple the franchise 4 years.”
Bob McKenzie via twitter: To McKenzie’s understanding, the Ducks have until 5 PM on June 24th to sign Justin Schultz. If they can’t get it done, he’ll be a UFA that won’t be able to sign until July 1st. Ben Kuzma via twitter: The Canucks could be among the serious suitors for Schultz if he hits the open market.
Kevin Allen via twitter: Coyotes GM Don Maloney is confident he’ll re-sign Shane Doan “because we are both reasonable people.” Maloney added: ”We are not looking to pay Shane the league minimum and he’s not looking to get a Richards contract from us.”
Chris Johnston via twitter: “Mikhail Grigorenko says the #Ducks asked him to take his shoes off during a combine interview. They wanted to look at his feet.”
TSN: Brent Sutter on the Oilers coaching vacancy:
“I know him really well. But I have not had one conversation with the Oilers. We never discussed this (coaching) once over there (Helsinki at the worlds). No contact with the Oilers since I’ve been home either. They may be interested, they may not. Kevin and Steve know where I’m at.”
Dustin Leed via twitter: Flyers may look to address their defense this offseason, as age and injury problems are increasing.
Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: The Blackhawks weren’t thrilled with Patrick Kane’s partying episodes in Madison, which some suggesting he get some help.
“He’s obviously got some issues,” the source said. “How many more times can these things happen? It’s a much bigger thing than some photographs in a 48-hour window.”
Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs could look at signing veteran goalie Tomas Vokoun or possibly trading for Roberto Luongo.
“It’s certainly nothing we can discuss publicly,” said Burke, emerging from the league’s general managers’ meeting. “We’re trying to evaluate what we have and what we can get and go from there.”
Burke on recently signed 25 year old Leo Komarov:
“He’s a pain in the ass,” said Burke, who signed the winger this week. “He’s really hard to play against. He’s big and he skates and makes life miserable for people. My kind of guy.”
James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Toronto Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins could get interest from the Oilers and Capitals.