Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Wild GM Chuck Fletcher will have to do an amazing sales pitch to convince Zach Parise and/or Ryan Suter. There are several teams that could attempt to bring in both. The Red Wings and Penguins are expected to make runs at them. “So Fletcher will have to sell the Wild’s plan, that the team is building a quality corps led by captain Mikko Koivu, that it is developing such an impressive crop of youngsters with guys such as Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle, Jonas Brodin and Matt Dumba…” If the Wild can’t land Parise, they may look at some short term deals for offensive forwards. If the Wild don’t land Suter, they may look at Jason Garrison, Matt Carle (Flyers are trying to re-sign him) and Dennis Wideman or try trading for Keith Yandle or Paul Martin.
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche didn’t qualify forward Peter Mueller. Mueller made $2 million last year. He only got in 32 games last year, and none the year before due to concussions. He suffered a torso injury towards the end of last season. The Avs signed Ryan Wilson to a 3 year deal worth $6.75 million.
Chris Johnson via twitter: Donald Fehr said formal CBA negotiations will start “very quickly” after the NHLPA meetings that end on Wednesday.
Dustin Leed via twitter: Bob McKenzie said the leading teams get Justin Schultz are the Maple Leafs, Canucks, Oilers, Flyers and Rangers. Ken Wiebe via twitter: All teams can offer a max entry level deal for Schultz, it’s up to him where he sees the best fit. Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators are hoping to sign Schultz. “I believe we have a shot,” Murray told The Team 1200. “I believe it’s down to 3-5 teams, and I believe we’re one of those teams.”
Dave Molinari via twitter: A source with “unimpeachable knowledge of the situation” said that the Penguins have not spoken with the Coyotes about Keith Yandle, despite the reports.
Damien Cox via twitter: Confirms that the Maple Leafs are still not involved in Rick Nash talks.
Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: The Penguins had trade discussions with multiple teams about defenseman Paul Martin. Martin has a $5 million cap hit, and is owed $14 million over the next 3 years. Sources say the Penguins had trade talks with the Predators and Lightning. The Pens are not prepared to move him just yet.
Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: With a thin free agent market for defenseman, the Lightning may have to attempt to get some help along the blueline through trade.
“We’ll make inquiries on (Sunday) to see if we can add anybody,” Yzerman said. “And if not, I still think there are some opportunities through teams that, depending on whether they add defensemen, may be looking to do it through trade. If we can’t do it through free agency we’ll look through trade.”
“Maybe one or two of our guys that played in Norfolk this year, and if we can fill one spot (through free agency/trade), maybe one or two of those guys can compete for another spot,” Yzerman said.
Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: With Ondrej Pavelec re-signed, the Jets will now turn to Evander Kane and others. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff wouldn’t say how negotiations were going with Chris Mason or Jonas Gustavsson. Cheveldayoff wouldn’t say if there was interest in Justin Schultz.
Ansar Khan of MLive: The Red Wings hope to sign Justin Schultz,
“We’ve contacted his agents to express the Detroit Red Wings are interested in signing him to a contract,” general manager Ken Holland told M-Live.com. “We think there’s a tremendous opportunity in Detroit.”
David Pagnotta via twitter: The Maple Leafs would still like to add another top 6 forward, a 2-way 3rd liner and a shutdown defenseman. Terry Koshan via twitter: Leafs Dave Nonis said they will be active in free agency. Brian Burke said over the weekend that they will probably just looking at depth players.
Steven Smith via twitter: Hockey Central stated that a Rick Nash to Senators deal is held up as they are not on his list, otherwise they would have a deal.
Helene St. James via twitter: Damien Brunner cannot sign until Sunday, and has told the Red Wings that he intends to sign with them.
David Pagnotta via twitter: Avalanche’s Paul Stastny’s name is out there, but it’s still unclear if they want to move him.