Rumors, News, Free Agent Updates, Draft News, Goalie talk and More

1.Sens will go mobile if they lose Volchenkov

2.Bruins attempting to trade Tim Thomas

3. Modano : If he plays, it may not be in Dallas

4. Latest on No. 1 pick, Spezza , Thomas

5. Tidbits to ponder as you prepare for NHL draft week:

Sens will go mobile if they lose Volchenkov

Anton Volchenkov has likely played his last game with the Senators.

Senators GM Bryan Murray confirmed Monday discussions have stalled with Volchenkov ’s agent Jay Grossman and the shot-blocking defenceman will likely become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The Senators, unable to get Volchenkov to budge from his demand of $4.5-$5 million per-season, will likely try to deal his negotiating rights while in Los Angeles for the NHL draft,

“I’ve talked to his agent several times. I believe he’s going to go to the market. That’s the impression I got,” said Murray.

If Volchenkov leaves, Murray said he will try to get a more mobile defenceman as a replacement. It’s believed the club has mild interest in Edmonton blueliner Sheldon Souray .

“Right now, my priority is a defenceman,” said Murray.

The Senators are confident they may be able to keep winger Matt Cullen and defenceman Andy Sutton . Murray says both are keen to return to Ottawa.

http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/2010/06/21/14467676.html

Bruins attempting to trade Tim Thomas

While there have been several different trade rumors involving the Bruins that have bubbled up over the last couple of days, sources indicated to CSNNE.com that Boston's top trade priority heading into the draft is unloading veteran goalie Tim Thomas and his $5 million salary cap hit.

Thomas lost his starting job to rookie Tuukka Rask last season and is seeking to become a No. 1 goaltender elsewhere. It’s apparent he's willing to waive his no-trade clause in order to do so.

Sources also indicated both the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning are in the mix in discussions with the Bruins for Thomas , and the Philadelphia Flyers are also a potential suitor if they can shed some salary cap baggage leading up to the July 1 free agent deadline.

"They've got to move the salary," one source with knowledge of the situation told CSNNE.com. "They don’t have a whole lot of choice. The challenge is finding a place willing to take him and the salary that goes along with him."

There was some question about whether teams would be scared away by the hip surgery Thomas underwent after the season was over, and there was uncertainty about whether Thomas would be willing to waive the no-trade clause he owns in two of the three remaining years on his deal.

But several sources indicated Thomas' surgery was minor in nature and general manager Peter Chiarelli said last week Thomas would be ready at the start of training camp. A second source indicated the likelihood is that Thomas will waive the no-trade if the right kind of deal comes along after putting up a perfectly serviceable 2.56 goals-against average and .915 save percentage along with five shutouts last season.

"He's a goalie and he wants to play. He's a competitive guy and the most important thing for him at this point in his career is to go to a player where he can play,” said a second source. "He's not going to be happy if he’s sitting."

With Evgeni Nabokov and the Sharks possibly ready to part ways after the goalie couldn't quite get a talented team over the hump and into the Stanley Cup finals, Sharks GM Doug Wilson could view Thomas as the missing piece to the puzzle.

http://www.csnne.com/06/21/10/CSNNEcom-exclusive-Bruins-attempting-to-/v1_landing_bruins.html?blockID=258103&feedID=3944

Modano : If he plays, it may not be in Dallas

Mike Modano said he's going to wait until at least July to see what type of interest there is on the free agent market before deciding about his future. But he sounds like a player who doesn't expect to return to the Stars.

"The more and more I look at the situation here, I come to believe I’m not in the scheme of things here," Modano said before going on the air with Ben & Skin on ESPN 103.3 FM at Go Fish Ocean Club as part of Lunch with a Legend on Monday. "If I had to play, I may have to look at going elsewhere."

Free agency in the NHL begins on July 1. At that point, Modano will see what kind of interest other teams have in him. But he hasn't decided if he wants to play anywhere but Dallas.

"It depends what kind of interest and what teams," Modano said. "I’d probably take two or three weeks in that month and see who comes calling and if there’s connection with those teams that call. I'd want to play for a competitive team, someone that might have a legitmate shot at it."

Modano also said how he's used on the ice would factor into his decision.

"It depends on who I’d play with and who I feel I can make some plays and make decisions with on the ice," Modano said. "I just need help as far as quickness and pace of the game now. You can’t make it work the way you used to with any given linemate. You need help how."

Modano said he's continued his offseason workouts as if he's playing, which was his plan even before the season ended.

"You always feel you can still play," Modano said. "I’m working out like I’m going to play. If I do get an opportunity to do something, I'd be ready. If not, I’ll come to the end of July and say, ‘That’s it.’"

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/stars/post/_/id/1958/modano-thinks-if-he-plays-it-may-not-be-in-dallas

Latest on No. 1 pick, Spezza , Thomas

Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall ?

Still undecided. That was the answer from the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.

"We will make the final decision on the morning of the 25th [Friday]," Oilers GM Steve Tambellini told ESPN.com.

The Oilers, of course, hold the first overall pick in Friday's first round of the draft. The Boston Bruins, who hold the second overall pick, will also need to make a decision come Friday. Is it worth getting the player they want and enticing the Oilers accordingly with a trade, or can the Bruins live with the fact they're getting a franchise player either way?

"I can live with either player, I like them both a lot,'' Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told ESPN.com.

The cat-and-mouse game between the Oilers and Bruins will continue up to the 11th hour until both teams make their final decisions. Deal or no deal? Chiarelli and Tambellini spoke yet again over the weekend and it won't be the last time before Friday night.

"I would think I will have another discussion with him," Chiarelli told ESPN.com. "I think he's in the same boat as me as far as liking them both a lot. It's been well do*****ented that they need a center and we need a wing, but I don't think that is that important. They're both tremendously talented players. If we get Seguin , we could put him on the wing. A player creative like he is, he can easily play both positions."

Seguin or Hall ? Oilers or Bruins? We'll know Friday.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/blog/_/name/lebrun_pierre/id/5312091/latest-no-1-pick-spezza-thomas

Tidbits to ponder as you prepare for NHL draft week:

1.Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said this morning that there is "significantly more" trade talk than he is accustomed to at this time of year. He predicts there will be other deals before this weekend's draft festivities.

2. Dustin Byfuglien is in play as the Blackhawks sort out how to fix their salary cap problem. The Blackhawks seem willing to move Byfuglien , Kris Versteeg and Brent Sopel. Obviously they will have to take prospects or draft picks in this deal.

   3. The Atlanta Thrashers talked to the Montreal Canadiens about acquiring Jaroslav Halak before he was moved to the St. Louis Blues. I know the Canadiens wanted prospect Patrice Cormier as part of the deal. Several teams have called about Cormier. Take the Thrashers' interest in Halak as a subtle indication that the Thrashers aren't close to re-signing Pavel Kubina .

   4. The Toronto Maple Leafs have several offers for Tomas Kaberle , but they aren't close to making a deal.

5. Look for the Florida Panthers and Thrashers to be among the most aggressive trading partners with the Blackhawks as they try to move veterans. Florida GM Dale Tallon knows the Blackhawks well because he built the Blackhawks' roster. Atlanta GM Rick Dudley knows the Blackhawks well because he worked for Tallon. The 'Hawks undoubtedly would be interested in Florida's No. 3 pick or Atlanta's No. 9.

   6. Does Carey Price want to be the No. 1 goalie in Montreal? Just asking. Wondering whether they might trade them both and start over with one of the unrestricted free-agent goalies. This is merely thinking in print, and not a reflection of anything I've heard. But clearly it hasn't been easy for Price to play in Montreal, and it won't be easier now that he will be compared to Halak.

http://www.usatoday.com/community/profile.htm?plckPersonaPage=PersonaBlog&plckUserId=7f199720956b03f0&UID=7f199720956b03f0