Helene Elliott: There is still no word if Teemu Selanne will return next season. He is reportedly skating back in Finland.
Dmitry Chesnokov: Ilya Bryzgalov did not receive a contract offer from Alex Mogilny and Admiral Vladivostok. Mogilny made the comment in context of the Olympics, etc. and that Bryzgalov is a good player and would want him. (translation issue)
Tom Gulitti: No deal between the Devils and Adam Henrique yet. He said last week that a deal was “close.”
Gary Lawless: The Jets re-sign Blake Wheeler to a 6-year deal worth $33.6 million, a $5.6 million salary cap hit.
Carolina Hurricanes: The Hurricanes signed Nathan Gerbe to a one-year, two-way deal. Michael Smith: Gerbe will get $550,000 in the NHL, $150,000 in the AHL, $250,000 guaranteed. Chip Alexander: Gerbe wants to prove people wrong this season, ”especially a team in the Northeast I want to prove it to.”
Curtis Zupke: The Ducks sign Kyle Palmieri to a 3 year deal, $4.41 million, a $1.47 million cap hit.
Darren Dreger: Cody Franson trade speculation will heat up. The Maple Leafs would like to keep him, but the money may be too high. Would a prospect and draft pick be fair return? Howard Berger: Mentioned last month that Franson’s name has come up in trade talk.
David Pagnotta: Pagnotta doesn’t see Jets defenseman Zach Bogosian being in Winnipeg long-term. Other teams are interested, but a trade is not imminent. Pagnotta doesn’t see him staying in Winnipeg beyond his next contract. This is all just Pagnotta’s personal opinion. He wouldn’t be surprised if there was a trade at some point. There is no rush to move him, and the Jets will listen.
Igor Eronko: Capitals prospect Evgeni Kuznetsov on Ilya Kovalchuk to Sovsport.ru: ’I think i’ll return to Russia from NHL when i’m 30′
Mark Lazerus: Blackhawks Jonathan Toews: ”It’s a huge relief not to see half of your team traded away or sign with other teams in the offseason.”
Stephen Whyno: Leafs GM Dave Nonis on if he’d consider contract extensions for Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf this summer: ”It’s not on the front burner right now.”
James Mirtle: The Maple Leafs have signed GM Dave Nonis to a five-year extension. The extension starts this season, running through 2018. Nonis said that he had three years left on original deal with the Leafs.
Kevin Snow of Sabres.com: Thomas Vanek expects to be with the Sabres at training camp.
“As of right now, yeah. I haven’t heard anything differently. I’m preparing myself like I’m going back to Buffalo, so that’s what I’m doing.
“I’m not flattered by (trade speculation) by any means. I’ve enjoyed my time in Buffalo and I’m looking forward to going back. In this business you can’t look into that stuff, read the internet or look at the papers too much. If something happens, I’m sure my agent or the GM in Buffalo will call me and tell me where I’m going.”
TSN: Roberto Luongo’s new agent, Pat Brisson:
“Roberto has a contract and is preparing to be at training camp.”
Brisson and CCA partner J.P. Barry still plan on talking with Canucks GM Mike Gillis an assistant Laurence Gilman next week.
Roy MacGregor of the Globe and Mail: Luongo’s former agent Gilles Lupien
“I played on a team [Montreal] with nine Hockey Hall of Famers,” he says. “I’ve never seen a star treated like that. I think personally he’s been treated like a piece of paper, a fourth-line player.”
Lupien to Luongo when the Canucks were trying to trade him.
“Every team knows your contract,” Lupien told Luongo. “It’s not your contract that’s the problem – it’s what they’re asking for.”
Charles Bagli of the NY Times: New York City Council voted 47 to 1 to extend MSG’s operating permit for only 10 years. Meaning the Rangers will need to find a new home.
Allan Maki of the Globe and Mail: It’s looking like the Saddledome cleanup and restoration from the flood is on track to be ready for September 1st.