Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: The Avalanche (No. 1) and Panthers (No. 2) have already said they could move their picks for the right price. The Predators at No. 4 are keeping their options open.
“We’ll entertain offers. We’ve already had people inquire with us about it and vice-versa,” assistant general manager Paul Fenton said. “We’ll talk about whatever position that can improve us for the whole big picture of things.”
Still, Fenton was cautious: “In order to move up to that position, you’re going to have to make an offer that you can’t refuse.”
Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal: It’s unlikely that the Oilers at No. 7 would be able to move up to the Panthers No. 2. What makes it a difficult is the drop off in talent from the top two players, Seth Jones and either Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin. Usually there is a bigger drop off between the top two picks.
Jonathan Willis of Oilers Nation: If the Oilers are looking to move back and add a player or a few more picks, the Blue Jackets might be a trade partner if they want to move up to grab someone. The Oilers draft at No. 7 with the Blue Jackets holding the No.14, No. 19, No. 27 to 30 and No. 44. Potential players the Oilers could look at are: R.J. Umberger, Ryan Johansen, Boone Jenner, James Wisniewski, Fedor Tyutin and Nikita Nikitin.
Red Wings Front: (h/t Pro Hockey Talk) It doesn’t sound like Ian White will be back with the Red Wings next season.
“It didn’t go the way Whitey wanted it,” Babcock said. “Whitey’s a real good person, a real good man. We wish him luck.”
“It’s real disappointing to have it end this way,” White continued. “When I came here, and after last year, I thought I might be able to have a long future here, but we’ll see how everything goes in the next month.”
Corey Pronman: Pronman lists all the 2011 NHL draft picks who will go back into the draft as they did not sign: BOS: Volden, BUF: Lepkowski, CAR: Hofmann, Mahalek, CHI: Mattsson, COL: Nermark and Donnelly, DET: Quine, EDM: Perhonen, FLA: Bengtsson & Pakarinen, LAK: Gibson, Schumacher, MTL: Archambault & Pribyl, NSH: Andrews and Karlsson, NYI: Kichton & Theoret, NYR: Ceresnak & McColgan, OTT: Fransoo, PHI: Sullentrop, PHX: Ruuttu & Fritsch, SJ: Sefton, STL: Eronen, VAN: Honzik & Westerholm, WSH: Soberg, and WPG: Yuen.
Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators Colin Wilson had his second shoulder stabilization surgery at the beginning of May. He had surgery on his left shoulder mid-April, followed by the right side in the first week of May. He hopes to be ready for training camp.
TSN: Both Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin had shoulder surgeries on Friday to repair torn left labrums.
TSN: The Stars have been granted permission from the Maple Leafs to interview Marlies coach Dallas Eakins. Eakins has received head coaching interest from the Canucks and Rangers, and associate coaching interest from the Oilers.
Antti Raanta: “I’ve made my decision!” (I don’t think any NHL team/insider has made it be known that they are Raanta’s choice. The Wild, Jets and Oilers had expressed interest.)
Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: The Canucks will have a busy month: deadline for their AHL team, the draft, free agents and buyouts. The buyout period starts 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final and Canucks candidates are Keith Ballard, Roberto Luongo and David Booth. Booth likely wouldn’t be medically cleared, so a buyout wouldn’t be possible. If the Canucks have any leverage left with the Luongo situation, it may be gone by July.
Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: Dupont wonders if Patrick Roy will push Joe Sakic to trade the first overall pick, possibly targeting Kings Jonathan Bernier. Highly unlikely that the Bruins will be able to retain Nathan Horton with the salary cap going down. Looking like the Rangers will amnesty Brad Richards. It could be an interesting summer in San Jose with Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle all entering the last year of their deals. Not likely to happen, but Thornton may look good in Toronto with Joe Colborne as his understudy for the next 2 or 3 years. Thornton may be able to help Phil Kessel hit the 50 goal mark. If Ryane Clowe wants to remain with the Rangers, he might have to take a pay cut from the $3.625 million he made this season.
Cody Nickolet: Elliotte Friedman said that the Avalanche would consider trading down but it would have to be an unbelievable offer to move out of the top 3.
Ansar Khan: Pavel Datsyuk said he wants to sign a contract extension with the Red Wings. He’s looking forward to playing with the Wings beyond next season.
Katie Strang: The Rangers haven’t started contract talks with Henrik Lundqvist. It’s not that surprising since it’s early and can’t officially sign before July.
Ansar Khan of MLive: The Red Wings will have Blackhawks Bryan Bickell and Viktor Stalberg on their free agent radar. Bickell’s stock may be rising, but Stalberg’s may be falling a bit.
Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Brennan thinks that the cost of acquiring a player like Bobby Ryan could cost the Senators Jared Cowen and maybe Mika Zibanejad. Ryan has two years left at $5.1 million. Brennan thinks that making a trade that doesn’t involving giving up their best assets may be the best route to go, or signing a lower-risk free agent. Bruins Nathan Horton will likely want $5 million, a little much for a someone who may be one concussion from retirement. Blackhawks Bryan Bickell would make a lot of sense for the Senators. Bickell shouldn’t cost any more than $2.5 million a season, maybe three-years and $8 million. Worst-case scenario for the Sens is that he signs with the Leafs.
Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs should look back on the Blackhawks salary cap situation and learn from it. The Blackhawks kept and overvalued Dave Bolland and traded/undersold Andrew Ladd. The Leafs need to figure out how much they want to spend on their centers. Mikhail Grabovksi is paid like a top center at $5.5 million and Tyler Bozak could demand that much. RFA Nazem Kadri will be looking for a big raise as well. The Leafs may not be able to afford both Grabovski and Bozak, so one may have to go. Compliance buyouts may lead to Brad Richards or Vincent Lecavalier becoming free agents and better bargains.
David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Sharks UFA Raffi Torres wants to remain with the team and the feeling may be mutual.
Jon Rowson: The Sharks have all but signed Tomas Hertl. Hertl has a contract with Slavia for next season, who want to keep their star.
Arthur Staple: The Islanders have made offers to draft picks Jesse Graham, Loic Leduc, Adam Pelech and Ville Pokka. The Islanders didn’t make offers to Brenden Kichton or Mitchell Theoret, so both will re-enter the draft.
New York Rangers: The Rangers signed their 2011 5th round pick, defenseman Samuel Noreau.
Sarah McLellan: Without new ownership, the Coyotes budget won’t increase, which doesn’t faze GM Don Maloney.