Josh Rimer: IF Toronto was going to trade for Kris Letang, it would take at least Jake Gardiner and Nikolai Kulemin.
Bob Stauffer: The Blackhawks are said to be looking for a Jason Pominville like return for Dave Bolland.
Mark Lazerus: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman on if a big name could be traded: “It’s always possible. Nothing imminent at this point.”
John Shannon: The Panthers have many teams calling about the No. 2 pick. Steve Goldstein: Panthers GM Tale Tallon said they are ready for anything, to trade up or down.
Katie Strang: Though it could be nothing at all, Rangers GM Glen Sather and Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis stepped out of the BOG meetings yesterday and had a conversation.
Bob McKenzie: The Wild have a lot of balls in play. They are not able to buy Dany Heatley out as he’s injured. They will need to shed some money. Defenseman Tom Gilbert is in play but there have been no takers. He’s a possible buyout candidate.
The Fourth Period: Aside from Roberto Luongo, Canucks GM Mike Gillis is trying to trade defenseman Keith Ballard and David Booth. Ballard could be bought out if they can’t find a trade partner.
Darren Dreger of TSN: Players that are available for the right price: Dion Phaneuf, David Perron, Dave Bolland, Ales Hemsky, Shawn Horcoff and Roberto Luongo. Not to mention the possibility of Kris Letang. The Oilers and Maple Leafs are eager to make trades. The Leafs, Canadiens and Red Wings will be interested in Vincent Lecavalier and could offer up a 3-year deal in the $4.5 to $5 million range.
Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Once the Flyers officially sign Mark Streit to his 4-year, $21 million deal, they will have eight NHL defenseman on their roster. They have $27.675 million tied up in seven defenseman. The best case scenario could be that Andrej Meszaros is not healthy enough to play and could go on the LTIR. The Flyers would love to trade him but it would be hard given his injury history. They need to shed some salary along the blueline. Braydon Coburn will get interest and he has a modified no-trade clause. The Flames could have interest. Luke Schenn could be next line, but the sense is the Flyers don’t want to trade him. Seravalli thinks the Flyers should consider trading Nick Grossmann.
Will DePaoli: Kris Letang talks haven’t been shut down and the team will circle back one more time. Rob Rossi: The Penguins are willing to go “around” $7 million a season for 8 years.
Aaron Portzline: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen and Sergei Bobrovsky’s agent talked on Wednesday and Thursday in New York. Indications are that the talks did not go well at all and there are no further plans to talk. Both are in New York so it could happen.
Harvey Fialkov: The Panthers will let Stephen Weiss, Jose Theodore and Tyson Strachan test the free agent market next week.
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: If the Bruins aren’t able to re-sign Nathan Horton, who is reportedly looking for a 5-6 year deal worth around $6 million a season, there are a couple options. Jarome Iginla and David Clarkson could be two options. A source said that Vincent Lecavalier could be an option to play on right side rather than his natural center position.
L.A. Lariviere: Vinny Lecavalier would prefer to stay in the Eastern Conference. Ready to listen to the Canadiens. Pierre LeBrun: Lecavalier can’t sign a deal until July 5th but his is allow to talk with teams.
Jim Matheson: No chance the Oilers will sign Lecavalier. He’ll sign with an Eastern Conference team.
Bob McKenzie: The Rangers and Henrik Lundqvist’s reps started contract extension talks last night in New York.
Pierre LeBrun: The Blackhawks and Bryan Bickell’s side have started contract talks the past couple days.
Bob McKenzie: The Wild are talking contract extension with the Cal Clutterbuck. They are also talking trades with him. Pierre-Marc Bouchard (UFA) won’t be brought back and Matt Cullen most likely won’t be back.
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Possible center free agent targets for the Stars: Vincent Lecavalier, Stephen Weiss, Tyler Bozak, Daniel Briere, Valtteri Filppula, Derek Roy and Mike Ribeiro.
Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: The Penguins have started contract talks with Craig Adams.
John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Steve Ott’s agent “hopes and expects” to begin contract extension talks with the Sabres next month.
Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times: Bryan Bickell could get a deal around $3 million, but he’s said something are more important than money and could take a bit of hometown discount.
“You’ve got to do what makes you happy,” he said. “I know there are a lot of good teams around this league, and a lot of teams you won’t have as much fun [with] as if I stayed here. This is a great city, I enjoy it here, I got drafted here, this is a second home to me. We’re going to work on something, and hopefully it works out for the best.”