Elliotte Friedman: Rumors of possible games in New York City and a Heritage Classic in Canada.
Dennis Bernstein: An announcement regarding a LA Kings – Anaheim Ducks game at Dodger Stadium could be a month away.
David Pagnotta: Source saying Vancouver is “likely” city for Heritage Classic. Would be on a different day than Los Angeles and New York games.
The Fourth Period: Source saying final touches being put on Kings game at Dodger Stadium, ”basically a done deal.” The NHL is also in discussions with management at Yankee Stadium about a Rangers game. They are discussing other venues outside of New York. The LA and NY game could be played on the same day, Hockey Day in America. The Heritage Classic game could be played after the Olympic break. There is also talk that there could be a fifth outdoor game. It’s not confirmed, but there is a talk that the Blackhawks could host a game. Unclear if it’s a separate game, or a fallback if a game in New York can’t get finalized, or possibly for the 2015 Winter Classic. Though, the Wild may be getting the next Winter Classic. There won’t be any games played in Europe next season.
Craig Custance: Gary Bettman on the sale of the Coyotes: ”There seems to be more interest at this particular point in time than we’ve seen throughout the process.”
AP in Arizona Republic: Bettman on the Coyotes
“We’re not planning on moving Phoenix as we stand here today,” he said.
On possible relocation of the Coyotes.
“We haven’t been exploring the alternatives,” Bettman said. “We are exploring everything we can do to work this out, and there seems to be considerable interest. If you go through the history of this, there have been lots of reasons — not excuses, but lots of reasons — this has taken a lot of time. There seems to be now, in the calm of the moment, a lot more interest than we’ve ever seen.”
Two bids to purchase the team were submitted last week. Canadian businessmen George Gosbee and Anthony LeBlanc in one group, and another headed by Buffalo businessman Derin Pastor. Greg Jamison is still working on a deal, and Matthew Hulsizer is said to be interested again.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Four GMs that could be on the hotseat: Greg Sherman (COL), George McPhee (WAS), Jay Feaster (CAL) and Dale Tallon (FLA).Marian Gaborikturned down a $79 million from the Wild in 2009, thinking that he could get $100 million. He ended up signing a 5 year, $35 million deal the with Rangers. The Blue Jackets were the only team interested in his $7.5 million contract for next season.
Sources say the Blue Jackets offered one of their three first round picks to the Stars for Jaromir Jagr. The Red Wings were also interested in Jagr at the deadline.
A decision on the Phoenix Coyotes is imminent. ”In Canada, the fans have been very forgiving,” said a league executive. “There are 20 owners in the United States who are sick of writing cheques for $1 million to prop this thing up.” Garrioch thinks that moving them to Quebec City and keeping the Blue Jackets in the West makes the most sense until they have expansion.
The Sharks thought about trading defenseman Dan Boyle but they went on a 5 game winning streak. The Flyers, Rangers and Red Wings were interested. They could look to move him in the summer.
Ryane Clowe gave up on his sign-and-trade thoughts when he found out that nobody would give him an 8 year deal in the $5.5 to $6 million range.
The Devils and Sabres had interest in Jets Alex Burmistrov.
It wouldn’t surprise some people if the Wild bought out Dany Heatley and his $7.5 million salary in the summer.
Expect the Flyers to be looking for a new coach at the end of their season.
Adrian Dater: Avalanche winger Milan Hejduk remains out with a shoulder injury and he could retire after the season. “Hejduk, 37, has hinted this season will be it for him. He could change his mind, and here’s hoping he might. But I doubt it. Age is the great equalizer, and Hejduk has suffered his share of injuries in recent years. Along with the shoulder, he has had serious knee injuries and a troublesome back.”
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis called both James Reimer and Ben Scrivens five minutes after the trade deadline to let them know that neither was offered in a trade. The Canucks did ask for Scrivens in their offer, but the Leafs wouldn’t do unless they included a “significant portion” of Roberto Luongo’s salary. The Flames had agreed to take a 2nd round pick from the Maple Leafs for Miikka Kiprusoff. The Leafs didn’t get one call on Mike Komisarek.
Dave Isaac of the Courier Post: Isaac notes that Flyers fans shouldn’t expect to see Shea Weber in a Flyers uniform anytime soon. After all of Weber’s signing bonuses, the Predators will pay him $27 million before next season and $41 million before the 2014-15 season starts, 37% of his contract. Weber also has a no-trade clause.
“That’s a financial unlikelihood for Nashville looking to move him, especially to Philadelphia,” said Stu Grimson, a former NHL tough guy who now is a radio commentator for the Preds.
The Flyers will have to look elsewhere. Coyotes Keith Yandle? Could they outbid the Islanders for Mark Streit if he doesn’t sign before free agency starts? Do they look at Senators Sergei Gonchar or Ron Hainsey?
The Fourth Period: It’s believed that Mike Ribeiro and the Washington Capitals are open to a four-year contract extension. He rejected a three year deal earlier. He’s thought to be looking for a deal in the $4.5 million to $5 million range.
Sarah McLellan: Coyotes goalie Mike Smith hopes they can get a contract done, but wouldn’t say if both sides were working on one.
Capgeek: Sources say the Penguins will get 30% of Jussi Jokinen’s contract, $227,000 this year and $900,000 next year.
Capgeek: Sources say the Wild will get 15% of Jason Pominville’s contract, $200,000 this year and $795,000 in cap next year.
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: After trading for Ben Bishop, Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said he’s not giving up Anders Lindback.
“By no means am I giving up on Anders Lindback, not a chance,” Lightning GM Steve Yzerman told ESPN.com Thursday. “He’s a good young goalie. And I made a commitment by trading for Anders Lindback, and I believe Anders Lindback has the ability to become a good starter in this league.
“I want to provide him with the support he needs, and part of that support is having a good partner. I want the best possible tandem I can put together moving forward.”
The Lightning kicked tires on Jonathan Bernier but the price was too high.
The Fourth Period: The Kings tried trading for a 2nd line winger at the deadline but came up empty. They made calls on Drew Stafford, Jason Pominville and Curtis Glencross. The Kings wouldn’t give up the top prospects and high draft picks for Glencross. Source said that they would trade Tyler Toffoli, but not for a rental.
Mark Ludviczak of the Globe and Mail: The Sabres are in a rebuild, Thomas Vanek and Ryan Miller are uncertain about their futures.
“I haven’t talked to them about anything so it’s hard to say yes or no because no one has let me know what direction this is heading,” Vanek said. “So we’ll finish the year out and I’m sure, at least I would expect them to let me know what the future is.”
Ryan Miller,
“I don’t know, I have to talk to Darcy about it,” Miller said. “We’ll just see where everything falls and talk to Darcy about what his plan is or what’s going on because these are conversations we haven’t had time to have.
“I don’t know if we’ll have a chance to talk about it ‘til after the season.”