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| TSN.ca conducted a NHL Mock draft and in the report suggest that Tampa Bay Lightning can't go wrong taking Sarnia Sting centre Steven Stamkos with the number one pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. |
Our View: TSN hockey analyst Pierre McGuire named Stamkos the top pick Thursday in the NHL on TSN Mock Draft.
"If I was Tampa Bay GM Jay Feaster, it would be no contest," said McGuire. "It's Steven Stamkos.
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| The Ducks have informed Scott Niedermayer that he has until July 1 to make his decision whether to return to Ahaheim for another season, according to TSN.ca. |
Our View: His agent (Kevin Epp) stated that a decision regarding Neidermayer's future will be made by Friday, but he may now use the added time to make up his mind.
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| Olli Jokinen wants out of Florida and the Panthers will reportedly attempt to grant his wish during the NHL draft, according to Slam Sports. |
Our View: Jokinen has a poor relationship with team GM Jacques Martin, and incoming coach Peter DeBoer isn't expected to be able to patch things between them. The Flames want Jokinen, who scored 34 goals and 37 assists in 2007-08, but the Panthers are going to want more than forward Alex Tanguay to complete a deal.
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| The Penguins are reportedly trying to complete a blockbuster deal with the Kings prior to the start of the NHL draft, according to Slam Sports. League sources say Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero offered stud center Evgeni Malkin to the Kings for the number two overall pick in the draft and a player, possibly center Mike Cammalleri.
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Our View: Malkin has one-year left on his entry-level contract, at a bargain of $984,000, but Shero wants to sign winger Marian Hossa before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, a deal that could cost Pittsburgh upward of $8 million a year.
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| Kari Lehtonen is confident he will re-sign with the Thrashers, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He said, "This is where I want to play. It feels like home."
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Our View: Lehtonen could become a restricted free agent on July 1, and will be looking for a pay increase from the $2.2 million he made in 2007-08, despite only going 17-22-5.
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| 27-year old defenseman Matt Carkner has signed a two-year deal with the Senators, according to the AP. Financial terms were not disclosed. |
Our View: Carkner spent last season with Binghamton of the AHL, where he notched 10 goals, 15 assists and 218 penalty minutes. He was a second-round pick of Montreal back in 1999, and appeared in one game with the Sharks in 2005-06.
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| The Blue Jackets are considering offering Nikolai Zherdev to the Sharks in exchange for Patrick Marleau, according to the Columbus Dispatch. |
Our View: Marleau is said to be the Blue Jackets' number one target at center to play alongside winger Rick Nash. Zherdov's fantasy value would improve in San Jose while playing alongside stud Joe Thornton, but the Sharks are believed to be more interested in the Jackets' number six pick in the draft.
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| Goalie Cristobal Huet is working on a new deal with the Capitals, according to the Washington Post. Talks have been productive and well-intentioned, and Huet is looking for a three-year deal. |
Our View: Huet won 11-of-13 starts to close out the regular season, and helped lead the Capitals to their first playoff appearance in five years. The team is likely moving on from veteran goalie Olaf Kolzig, so signing Huet should be a top priority.
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| Bryan McCabe could be on the trading block, despite having a no-trade clause in his contract, according to the Toronto Sun. The Leafs are trying to clean house, and McCabe's average salary of $5.75 million US translates to a hefty cap hit (almost $3-million per season for six years). |
Our View: He is believed to be willing to waive his no-trade clause if he can pick the destination, such as the Islanders. The McCabe's spend the off-season on Long Island.
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