Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said yesterday that contract talks have started with newly acquired Jordan Staal.
“We had our initial conversation last night,” Rutherford said. “Basically it was, ‘We made the trade, we know everybody is happy, now we need to start talking long-term.’ That being agreed on, now the work begins.”
Jordan is in the last year of a deal that will pay him $4.5 million. He turned down a 10 year, $60 million deal from the Penguins.
David Staple of the Edmonton Journal: Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now tweeted: “Personally I think the Oilers sit 4th in pursuit of Schultz. Vancouver leads the way imo (home-field advantage). Leafs and Rangers 2nd and 3rd respectively because players recruit players. Gardiner in T.O., and Stepan and McDonagh with NYR.” Bob McKenzie and Pierre LeBrun think the Oilers are the likely destination.
Craig Custance via twitter: U.S. GMs are hearing that Justin Schultz prefers to play in Canada, but it’s not stopping them from going after him.
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers hope to re-sign backup goalie Martin Biron, and the feeling is mutual.
“We have had several positive discussions with the Rangers that are hopefully headed in the right direction, because Marty’s first choice is to remain in New York,” Biron’s agent, Peter Fish, told The Post yesterday. “The Rangers have made it clear that they want to keep him, but there is still some work to be done.”
If Biron doesn’t re-sign, other UFA options are Scott Clemmesen, Al Montoya, Brent Johnson and Chris Mason.
John Boruk via twitter: Biron’s agent said his first choice is to re-sign with the Rangers, but if he doesn’t, Boruk thinks he could be swayed to a Flyers return.
Vicki Hall of the Calgary Herald: The Flames didn’t qualify forward Blake Comeau on Monday, but they they would like to re-sign him. Comeau made $2.5 million last year. They also didn’t qualify Logan MacMillan and Ryley Grantham. They sent offers to Mikael Backlund, Paul Byron, Blair Jones, Akim Aliu and Leland Irving.
Bob McKenzie via twitter: McKenzie doesn’t expect the Bruins to trade Tim Thomas until late summer/early season if at all. Possible landing spots may have to wait for the new CBA to see what the floor might be.
Adrian Dater via twitter: Dater thinks that P.A. Parenteau would be a good fit for the Avalanche. It’s also not out of the question for the Avs to make an offer on Mikael Samuelsson.
Craig Custance of ESPN: If the Penguins end up trading Paul Martin, that would be a sure sign they are going after Ryan Suter. The Red Wings will look at Justin Schultz and are in the market for a backup goalie. Jonas Gustavsson and Scott Clemmensen are options. Travis Moen would be of interest to them if he hits the free agent market. Canucks Sami Salo, Aaron Rome and Marc-Andre Gragnani will all likely become UFAs, Rome and Gragnani are for sure. They have 6 defenseman under contract, but will look at Jason Garrison and Schultz. In a perfect world they would be able to land Jake Gardiner or Erik Gudbranson in a Roberto Luongo deal. The Sharks would like to add Rick Nash but not at the cost of Logan Courture. A package round Joe Pavelski is more realistic. Michal Handzus and Jason Demers could be possible trade candidates as well.
ESPN: The NHL Network is reporting that LA Kings plan on starting contract extension talks with Jonathan Quick.
Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Zach Parise said yesterday that his agents have been talking with Lou Lamoriello the last few days. He did acknowledge that it’s possible that a deal is not reached by July 1st.
“If that does happen, my agents have done a really good job of doing the best they can to prepare me for it. But first and foremost, we want to try to get things worked out with New Jersey,” the 27-year-old left winger told The Star-Ledger.
Parise did say that if a deal is not done by July 1st, it doesn’t mean he’d rule out returning to the Devils. Chere wouldn’t be surprised if he received multi-year offers around $9-10 million a season from other teams if he hits the market.
Josh Rimer via twitter: After talking with Parise today, Rimer wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed in New Jersey. Both sides are trying to make it work.
Sarah McLellan via twitter: Coyotes GM Maloney said on NHL Live yesterday that he’s not optimistic that they can get a deal done with Shane Doan before July 1st, but is optimistic he’ll remain a Coyote. Darren Dreger via twitter: Doan wants to stay in Phoenix, but the ownership instability may force him to test free agency. There would be a big list of teams interested if he does. Doan has earned the right to see what else is out there. If a solid ownership had been in place, a deal would have been done long ago.
Allan Walsh via twitter: P.A. Parenteau will become a UFA on July 1st.
Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: The Panthers made qualifying offers to Dmitry Kulikov and Keaton Ellerby on Monday. Wojtek Wolski didn’t receive an offer.
Elliotte Friedman of CBC: Justin Schultz is free to talk to all teams, but he’s not able to sign until July 1st. Friedman heard that the Ducks allowed a window for the Maple Leafs to try and sign Schultz at the draft, with the Ducks getting some compensation if they did. No side would discuss it. Schultz wants to test free agency, and is believed to be meeting with his agents to today to formulate a short list of teams. Some teams are wondering if the Ducks will file tampering charges if they sign him. Trading for a Robert Luongo will be a tough one for the Panthers. They believe Jacob Markstrom will be a difference-maker. It’s easier to build around the lower salary of Markstrom. Luongo to Toronto makes sense for all sides. Reports are that Luke Schenn was offered for Luongo, but the Canucks may have wanted the 5th overall pick. Will Cory Schneider get an offer sheet? 2 players that might get some offer sheet action are Sam Gagner and Shea Weber. If someone gives Gagner something between $3,364,391 and $5,046,585, it would cost a 1st and 3rd round pick. Friedman thinks that Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan will end up getting traded after Zach Parise signs. One GM said there are 8-10 good players available for trade. The Senators will be looking for a new partner for Erik Karlsson as it’s unlikely that Filip Kuba will return.
Blake Price via twitter: (via @NHLGossip) Pierre LeBrun said that Panthers ownership ok’d adding Luongo’s salary, as long as the trade makes sense. Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Clarifying his comments, Panthers GM Dale Tallon has full support from ownership but he’d still need to circle back to ownership for the green light if they can work out a deal.
Chip Alexander via twitter: Alexander thinks the Hurricanes have interest in Justin Schultz, Jason Garrison and may make an offer on Ryan Suter.
BD Gallof via twitter: Regarding the Islanders offering the Blue Jackets all their picks for the 2nd overall: the only people who can actually confirm what was said between GMs Garth Snow and Scott Howson are not confirming. Some believe that if it had truly been offered, Howson would have accepted.