Chris Johnston via twitter: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke said he’s willing to trade up or down a couple picks. Dan Rosen via twitter: Burke added the thinks they may have to address their needs through trade, and all looks quiet on that front right now. Nick Cotsonika via twitter: Burke said he might consider drafting for need instead of the best player for the first time. Dan Rosen via twitter: Burke added he hasn’t had discussions with the Oilers about the #1 pick. He also isn’t looking for someone who can play right away.
Jim Matheson via twitter: There is no way the Flames would send Jay Bouwmeester to the Oilers. If Bouwmeester is moved, it will be to a contender. The Flames will have to take back a contract.
Aaron Portzline via twitter: The Blue Jackets would like 3 to 5 assets in return for Rick Nash. The return varies with each team, depending on their assets.
David Pollak via twitter: Rick Nash won’t be heading to the Sharks as long as Logan Couture is included in the asking price, and for now that appears to be the case.
Chris Kuc via twitter: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman: “If there are deals to be made we’re not hesitant to do that.” Bowman on Marian Hossa and Steve Montador: “They’re both on the mend and starting their summer training programs.”
George Richards via twitter: Panthers GM Dale Tallon said they have made a contract offer to UFA defenseman Jason Garrison.
Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said on Monday that defenseman Mark Fayne has received a contract offer, but not all RFAs will.
Mike Heika via twitter: Heika is hearing that the Stars and Sheldon Souray were discussing a 1 year, $3 million deal. Deal wasn’t offered, therefore not officially declined.
Andy Strickland via twitter: The Blues have extended qualifying offers to T.J. Oshie and David Perron.
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Teams looking for a goalie upgrade are getting smaller by the day, likely only the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets, unless Ondrej Pavelec leaves the Jets for the KHL. The Blue Jackets likely aren’t interested in Luongo. Gillis likely wouldn’t want to trade Luongo to rival Chicago, if they are even looking for a goalie upgrade. The Panthers have Jose Theodore and prospect Jacob Markstrom and may not want to pay all that cash for him. The Leafs are interested, but not interested sending quality players or prospects. Just like they are not interested in shipping Luke Schenn or Jake Gardiner to the Oilers for the top pick in the draft. The Leafs don’t have many options left, and there aren’t many options for the Canucks either. The Leafs could give up a prospect for Luongo, and the prospect could get better if they take a contract like Mike Komisarek.
David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: After the Wild re-signed Josh Harding, Canucks GM Mike Gillis is now holding the best veteran goalie in Roberto Luongo. Luongo is 33 and has 10 years left at a $5.33 million cap hit. Someone will likely send the Canucks a contract and a decent prospect. The Panthers may be happy with their tandem of Theodore and Markstrom. Pavelec is a RFA in Winnipeg and it may not work out there. The Capitals could be intrigued even though they have Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby. If the Leafs strike out on Luongo, they could take a run at Martin Brodeur, but it’s unlikely Burke would poach Brodeur from his mentor Lou Lamoriello.
Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks GM Mike Gillis confirms he’s talking to teams about Roberto Luongo.
“There are lots of teams interested,” Gillis said. “There’s a limited number of proven No. 1 goaltenders in the world. Roberto is, without a doubt, a proven No. 1 all-star goalie.”
Gillis insists there is no urgency to move Luongo and is fine if he has to run with Luongo and Cory Schneider next season. Neither goalie would be too thrilled about that notion though. They would likely be paying $10 million to 2 #1 one goalies.
“We’re still in the position to explore all of our options … and I’m doing that without a timeline,” Gillis said. “I have no timetable at all. In some ways, I feel the draft in situations like this is an artificial timeline.”
The Canucks would like to get Schneider under contract before they deal Luongo, but Schneider may not want to rush in to a deal until he knows what is happening with Luongo. There is a window from July 1st to 5th where teams can send Schneider an offer sheet.
“I know there’s a market, for sure,” Gillis said. “His cap hit is $5.3 million. Marty Brodeur just got to the final [at age 40]. Goaltenders are a different animal when it comes to contract evaluation. If they’re smart enough and technically sound enough, they can play for a long, long time.
“Roberto has impressed me from the moment I met him. Regardless of how well he plays, there’s this notion that no matter how good it is, it isn’t good enough. And it’s baffling to me because I think the guy is just an outstanding player who’s an outstanding person.”
Bob McKenzie via twitter: McKenzie is hearing that Ducks Bobby Ryan is “available” again. This doesn’t mean that he will be traded, but it does mean the Ducks phone has been ringing and they’ll be listening. If the Ducks were to move Ryan, McKenzie thinks it would be for 2 or 3 building block pieces that would increase depth but not payroll. Tom Reed via twitter: This doesn’t come at a good time for the Blue Jackets, as Ryan is younger and cheaper than Rick Nash. Luke DeCock via twitter: The Hurricanes will kick tires on Ryan like they did over the winter. May be a better fit than Nash.
Dustin Leed via twitter: The Flyers have met with a few players and informed them that they may be interested in trading up to select them.
Birky via twitter: Darren Dreger said on TSN1050 that the Maple Leafs are not interested in Niklas Backstrom, and not in Roberto Luongo without money going the other way.
Damien Cox via twitter: Another reason that Mikhail Grigorenko is plummeting on draft boards is that “I think he’s 20, not 18,” according to a Western Conference GM. Brian Huddle via twitter: A lot of people in the industry think that Grigorenko is 20, Huddle has heard it a couple times.
Will DePaoli via twitter: Penguins GM Ray Shero on his defenseman: “Teams are looking for D-man, so I’m getting quite a few calls.”
TSN Rumor roundup
Todd Cordell via twitter: LeBrun said the Flyers are “very aggressive” in their attempts to get Rick Nash out of Columbus. Dreger says the Hurricanes want to add 1 or 2 forwards and will make “a hard pull” for Jordan Staal.
Spector’s Hockey via twitter: Dreger suggested the Senators could be in on Rick Nash, they have plenty of young assets to offer. Dreger suggests a Nash deal could happen as early as this weekend. James van Riemsdyk, Derek Roy, Jay Bouwmeester, Luke Schenn, Bobby Ryan and Roberto Luongo are possible players that could get traded this weekend. Dreger dismisses that Evander Kane doesn’t want to re-sign with the Jets rumors.