Courtesy of: www.spectorshockey.net
The NHL's UFA period begins Thursday but so far there hasn't been much news. Here's the latest snippets on the Canadiens, Flames, Thrashers, Bruins, Canucks, Senators and Predators.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Pat Hickey reports the Canadiens latest signings gives them a total salary cap hit of $50.6 million, giving management some "wiggle room" to re-sign goalie Carey Price, another goalie, two third and fourth line "pluggers" plus perhaps an extra defenseman. Pending UFA center Dominic Moore remains in the mix.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: Don't expect any major trades or free agent signings, Habs fans.
CALGARY HERALD: Vicki Hall reminds Flames fans that just because Ales Kotalik is on waivers doesn't necessarily mean he'll be bought out as that's something GM Darryl Sutter has never done, suggesting Kotalik could end up demoted to the minors or playing in Europe.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: That's true, but there's also a first time for everything.
ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION: Chris Vivlamore reports Pavel Kubina doesn't intend on accepting a "hometown discount", while Maxim Afinogenov, Colby Armstrong and Evgeny Artyukhin are headed for the UFA market. Negotiations however continue with Johan Hedberg and the two sides aren't far apart.
BOSTON HERALD: Stephen Harris reports the Philadelphia Flyers appear the best fit for Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas but that possibility remains on hold as the Flyers talk with former San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: As per reports last night the Flyers now appear to have turned their attention to Marty Turco. Sounds like a trade of Thomas to the Flyers is a remote one.
VANCOUVER PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma suggests defenseman Kevin Bieksa could be expendable if the Canucks were to land a defenseman like Zbynyk Michalek via free agency. GM Mike Gillis is also believed to have interest in Dan Hamhuis and might also be interested in bringing back Willie Mitchell provided he's made a full recovery from a season-ending concussion.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: There's growing speculation Hamhuis wants to sign with the Canucks but of course that'll depend upon his salary demands and if the dollars would fit comfortably on the Canucks payroll.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators director of player personnel Pierre Dorion said the club cannot fit Marc Savard's $4 million per season salary under their salary cap.
THE TENNESSEAN: reports the Nashville Predators have not qualified the rights of defenseman Denis Grebeshkov and forward Dustin Boyd, which will make them unrestricted free agent this summer.
The NHL's UFA period begins Thursday but so far there hasn't been much news. Here's the latest snippets on the Canadiens, Flames, Thrashers, Bruins, Canucks, Senators and Predators.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Pat Hickey reports the Canadiens latest signings gives them a total salary cap hit of $50.6 million, giving management some "wiggle room" to re-sign goalie Carey Price, another goalie, two third and fourth line "pluggers" plus perhaps an extra defenseman. Pending UFA center Dominic Moore remains in the mix.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: Don't expect any major trades or free agent signings, Habs fans.
CALGARY HERALD: Vicki Hall reminds Flames fans that just because Ales Kotalik is on waivers doesn't necessarily mean he'll be bought out as that's something GM Darryl Sutter has never done, suggesting Kotalik could end up demoted to the minors or playing in Europe.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: That's true, but there's also a first time for everything.
ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION: Chris Vivlamore reports Pavel Kubina doesn't intend on accepting a "hometown discount", while Maxim Afinogenov, Colby Armstrong and Evgeny Artyukhin are headed for the UFA market. Negotiations however continue with Johan Hedberg and the two sides aren't far apart.
BOSTON HERALD: Stephen Harris reports the Philadelphia Flyers appear the best fit for Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas but that possibility remains on hold as the Flyers talk with former San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: As per reports last night the Flyers now appear to have turned their attention to Marty Turco. Sounds like a trade of Thomas to the Flyers is a remote one.
VANCOUVER PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma suggests defenseman Kevin Bieksa could be expendable if the Canucks were to land a defenseman like Zbynyk Michalek via free agency. GM Mike Gillis is also believed to have interest in Dan Hamhuis and might also be interested in bringing back Willie Mitchell provided he's made a full recovery from a season-ending concussion.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: There's growing speculation Hamhuis wants to sign with the Canucks but of course that'll depend upon his salary demands and if the dollars would fit comfortably on the Canucks payroll.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators director of player personnel Pierre Dorion said the club cannot fit Marc Savard's $4 million per season salary under their salary cap.
THE TENNESSEAN: reports the Nashville Predators have not qualified the rights of defenseman Denis Grebeshkov and forward Dustin Boyd, which will make them unrestricted free agent this summer.
