Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Martin Brodeur is “80 percent sure” that he’ll play next season and hasn’t ruled out remaining with the Devils.
“I’m not closing (the door) here at all,” Brodeur told The Star-Ledger. “It will be a decision I’ll make after offers are brought to me. It might be July 1st or it might be way after July 1st.
“It all depends on what is on the table, whether it’s in New Jersey or somewhere else. I’m open-minded about it. I’m looking for specific things some teams probably can’t give me. And that’s understandable at my age. But if I feel I can play and people want me, we’ll see.”
Brodeur’s requirements:
“I’m not going to sit more than I sit this year. That’s not something I want,” Brodeur said. “If I come back, it’s not a question of money. It’s because I still love it and I still enjoy the game.
“And I want to be in a position to have another shot (at winning), no matter what role I’m in. To me it would seem empty to leave without having a chance of winning something. Hopefully it will be this year and that will change a lot about my decision and what I’m going to do in my future.”
Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “When you look at the 4 UFAs that the Leafs will key on are Bolland, McClement, Kulemin & Raymond” … “Bolland still identifies for me the identity that this team will play with.” … “It’s up to Bolland does he chase the dollars that will pay him $5 million elsewhere? That’s up to him” … “The only given that stays of those 4 UFAs is McClement and that’s only if Carlyle stays because of the appreciation RC has for him”
Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “How do you replace a man like Carlyle? Is there anyone better out there than Carlyle? Are Trotz or Laviolette better than him?” … “Do the Leafs look at Steve Spott or Luke Richardson? Those are drastic moves”
Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators Seth Jones thinks he could be ready to return on Friday.
“It’s a process. You think you’re good, and the brain will tell you otherwise sometimes,” Jones said. “There are steps that are required to come back and I’m kind of in the midst of those right now.”
Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: The Leafs have lost eight in a row and changes could be coming. Coach Randy Carlyle could be the scapegoat. A management source indicated that drastic move(s) in the next 24-48 hours was unlikely though.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Flyers gave up a couple draft picks for defenseman Andrew MacDonald, and they plan on trying to re-sign the pending UFA.
Thought is that the Canadiens will sign Andrei Markov to a three-year contract extension before July 1st.
Though, then assistant GM Mike Santos (fired) denied there was a offer on the table for Dmitry Kulikov, sources say there was an offer and that Santos wasn’t kept in the loop.
The Jets could be taking a wait-and-see approach with regards to their coaching. Could they look at Randy Carlyle if the Leafs let him go.
Neither the Sharks or Dan Boyle are in a rush to get an extension done. They will wait until the off-season. The Lightning could be interested if he hits the open market.
Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller will likely be looking for a new job at the end of the season.
If the Wild let coach Mike Yeo go at the end of the season, names that could come as replacements are Marc Crawford and Peter Laviolette.
Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province: You have to think there will be a coaching change in Vancouver. David Booth could be bought out after the season. Booth, has been one of their better players of late. The Canucks will also have to decide what to do with Alex Edler, who has a no-trade clause. If they decide to keep Edler, they could look at buying out Jason Garrison. They would like to keep Ryan Kesler. If they do trade him, they will need to find another center.