Bob McKenzie: McKenzie thinks that the Oilers will deal their No. 7 overall pick, as well as some players.
Bob McKenzie: The Flyers are in the market for a defenseman and could be willing to move one of Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier in the right deal.
Bob McKenzie: McKenzie expects the Flyers to use a compliance buyout on Ilya Bryzgalov.
Brian Wilde: The Canadiens could see what the trade market would give for defenseman Andrei Markov and likely get a good return. His contract isn’t looking as expensive now though.
Kevin Paul Dupont: Dupont thinks that Tuukka Rask will get a 4 or 5 year contract at about $6.5 million.
Adrian Dater via sulia: Dater thinks the Avalanche could make Jarome Iginla a free agent offer if/when he hits the open market. The Avs could buy out David Jones. Iginla’s offer wouldn’t be crazy, and word is Joe Sakic is intrigued with idea of adding Iginla.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Mario Lemieux and the Penguins ownership aren’t that impressed with how the season ended and Dan Bylsma may be on the hotseat. A league executive thinks that the Penguins may move Chris Kunitz or James Neal with the cap going down, giving them more room to keep Evgeni Malkin. Pascal Dupuis and Matt Cooke are both UFAs. UFA Douglas Murray will walk. The Pens want to keep Kris Letang. The Pens could look to trade Marc-Andre Fleury to the Wild, Avalanche or Panthers, or they could buy him out. They could make a pitch for Ryan Miller.
Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers fire head coach Ralph Krueger.
Ryan Rishaug: Sounding like Dallas Eakins will be the next Oilers head coach. David Pagnotta: Eakins has been locked in as Oilers coach and will officially be introduced in the next few days.
Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star: Feschuk thinks it’s time for the Maple Leafs to trade Phil Kessel.
There’d be no better time to trade Kessel, considering his excellent run of play as the league’s sixth-leading regular-season scorer has put his value at an all-time high. Don’t for a moment believe that Nonis, fresh off delivering a no-Leaf-is-untouchable post-season message, isn’t thinking hard about the possibility.
The Leafs need to give up value to get their “long-sought No. 1 center.” Kessel, along with Dion Phaneuf will be UFAs after next season. Dion’s stock is weighed down by his $6.5 million salary. Nonis’ shopping list isn’t short, which should include an upgrade in net. They should consider UFA Mike Smith and possibly revisit Roberto Luongo. The Leafs will look at UFA David Clarkson, but he’ll be looking for big money. The Leafs blueline needs more high-end talent at low prices. Moving up in the draft would make sense, along with trolling for compliance buyouts that may come cheap.
Spector’s Hockey: Richardson thinks that IF the Penguins were to move any of Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Marc-Andre Fleury, Fleury is the likely one to move. Malkin is too valuable to the them and Letang is their best puck-moving defenseman. IF the Penguins were to trade or buy out Fleury, they would need to find a young, affordable backup for Tomas Vokoun. Dmitry Chesnokov: Chesnokov suggests Michal Neuvirth.
Bob Stauffer: Stauffer see the Stars trying to trade Alex Goligoski or Trevor Daley for a centerman if they can get Sergei Gonchar signed.
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Cox thinks the Leafs need a center like Sean Monahan and should look at moving up in the draft. The Predators are dangling the No. 4 pick, the Oilers at No. 7 could also move their pick. Trading youth-for-youth would make sense, and they could use Jake Gardiner. It would be a type of move that wouldn’t help them next year, but more of building move.