The belief is that Carter will seek a similar deal to the one signed by teammate Mike Richards, who signed a 12-year, $69 million contract extension earlier in the season. Carter and Richards have similar career statistics, and so would be comparables during negotiations.

Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch suggests that the Columbus Blue Jackets may re-sign pending UFA forward Michael Peca because he has a great “dressing room presence” and could help guide Rick Nash through the “early stages” of his captaincy.

Portzline also speculates that the Buffalo Sabres will botch contract negotiations with goaltender Ryan Miller much in the same way they did with forwards Chris Drury and Daniel Briere, and defenseman Brian Campbell.

Miller is set to become a UFA after the 2008-09 season, and word is that he already sees himself playing for the Detroit Red Wings in 2009-10. A native of East Lansing, Michigan, Miller is also good friends with Red Wings goaltending coach Jim Bedard.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun suggests that if the Toronto Maple Leafs can’t trade forward Darcy Tucker, they should buy him out.

A buy out would cost the Maple Leafs two-thirds of Tucker’s $6 million contract; the club would be on the hook for a $1 million cap hit per season, over six years.

Garrioch also wonders if teams like the Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks may put in an offer sheet to Montreal Canadiens pending restricted free agent goalie Jaroslav Halak this summer. Aside for Cristobal Huet of the Washington Capitals, the free agent market appears to be pretty bare, leaving teams looking for an upgrade in net to perhaps try and poach RFAs.

Lastly from Garrioch, he reports that if Boston Bruins struggling forward Glen Murray doesn’t start scoring and help the team earn a playoff spot, he will likely be dealt in the off-season.

Murray’s $4.15 million salary could then be used by the Bruins to try and land Pittsburgh Penguins pending UFA forward Marian Hossa.

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach John Tortorella tells Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times that 23-year-old defenseman Paul Ranger is an “untouchable” in terms of trades.

“To me, he’s an untouchable because of what he’s going to be.”

“He’s one of the most underrated players in the league,” Tortorella said. “He’s a huge piece of our team as far as transition, as far as his stick, getting us out of our end zone, penalty killing. Ranger is more physical than any of our D. He’s grown.”

“I’m an Islander at heart,” Dubielewicz said. “If I was given the opportunity to continue to be an Islander, I think I’d probably jump on it.”

“I think my value goes up over time. They can see I’m consistent and that my size isn’t a big factor. If I went to another team, I’d probably have to spend a lot of time knocking down those hurdles again.”

Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik tells Craig Custance of The Atlanta Journal Constitution he has not received word from the Atlanta Thrashers about his future with the club.

After being told to stay home for a recent three-game road trip, the veteran blueliner says he is unsure how he fits into the Thrashers’ long-term plans.

“I have no idea,” he said.

Zhitnik, who’s set to earn $3.5 million next season, says he hopes his situation will get resolved quickly after the season’s end.

“I hope everything will be finalized in May and June.”

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press suggest that Detroit Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios will return for at least one more season with the club.

And that would be just fine with the Red Wings.

“I’ve talked to Chris and told him, he’s been around here long enough to know I’m not into a youth movement,” general manager Ken Holland said Friday. “I’m into putting the best product on the ice. Let’s see a strong finish to the year, and there’s a good probability he’ll be back.”

Holland says that the 46-year-old veteran blueliner is a great mentor for the club’s young defenseman.

“The little plays he makes on the penalty kill to his partner, so his partner can ice the puck — those are things you can’t teach,” Holland said. “He’s been able to extend his career for almost a quarter of a century because of his determination, work ethic and passion for the game. I can talk to people about it, and Mike Babcock can talk to people about it, but you just gotta watch Chris. He’s a role model.”

Still with the Red Wings, Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun reports that the club are so keen on re-signing pending UFA defenseman Brad Stuart that they would like to ink him before he can reach free agency.

Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun suggests that Calgary Flames forward Matthew Lombardi could replace pending UFAs Daymond Langkow, Craig Conroy, and Stephane Yelle at the center position if none of them can be re-signed.

With Kubina’s strong play as of late, he could become “attractive on the trade market this summer.”

Nashville Predators GM David Poile tells John Glennon of The Tennessean that he is unlikely to sign any of the club’s pending free agents until season’s end.

The Predators have a group of free agent that includes defensemen Shea Weber (RFA), Ryan Suter (RFA) and Kevin Klein (RFA), forward Martin Erat (RFA), goalie Dan Ellis (UFA) and forward Darcy Hordichuk (UFA).

San Jose Sharks pending unrestricted free agent forward Jeremy Roenick tells USA Today’s Kevin Allen that he doesn’t plant to retire at season’s end. Roenick has revitalized his career in San Jose, and hopes to continue playing for a little while longer.

“I’m definitely thinking about (continuing to play),” Roenick said. “With the way my body feels, and the way it has gone and the quality of this organization, I definitely would like to play another year. But I’m not going to make this an in-season thing and cause any distractions.”

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that a number of teams called to inquire about the availability of Florida Panthers forward Olli Jokinen before the trade deadline.

First off, the Oilers could use a “sniper” to bolster their attack, some in the mold of San Jose Sharks forward Jonathan Cheechoo.

Secondly, the Oilers will look to add some toughness. While it’s unlikely that former Oilers tough guy Georges Laraque will return to Edmonton, there are other options. Those include UFAs Wade Belak of the Florida Panthers, Jody Shelley of the Sharks, Darcy Hordichuk of the Nashville Predators, and Todd Fedoruk of the Minnesota Wild.

Jean LeFebvre of The Calgary Herald suggests that Calgary Flames pending UFA forward Kristian Huselius may have a hard time getting the contract he wants this summer.

While his play in the months of October, December, January, and so far in March, has been superb, November and February saw the skilled forward play the worst hockey of the season.

Ottawa Senators pending UFA forward Cory Stillman tells James Gordon of The Ottawa Citizen that he’d love to re-sign with the club.

“I’d like to stay. It’s close to home, to my home town,” the Peterborough, Ont., native said. “You know, I was happy in Carolina, but (Ottawa) is one of the places I had said that if I ever had the chance to play, I would jump on it.

“So I’m here now and hopefully I can continue on for a couple years.”

Stillman says he hasn’t had any talks about a contract extension with Senators’ management, yet.

“My thing right now is to come play, win hockey games and continue to play into June,” the 34-year-old said.

According to Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post, Washington Capitals pending restricted free agent forward Brooks Laich could receive a significant raise this summer. A three-year, $3 million deal isn’t out of the question.

The New Jersey Devils were one of the teams trying to acquire Smith, but weren’t willing to meet the Flyers’ demands.

Expectations are the Smith will become a free agent and sign with the Devils in the summer.

Despite injuries to two of their blueliner, Chuck Gormley of the Courier Post Online reports that the Flyers will not call-up defenseman Denis Gauthier from their AHL affiliate team.

Gauthier would have to pass through waivers in order to be promoted to the big club, meaning teams could claim him at half the cost of his $2.1 million salary. Since the Flyers would be on the hook for the other half, it’s unlikely they will go through with it.

If Pittsburgh Penguins pending restricted free agent forward Evgeni Malkin demand a contract worth an average of between $9-10 million per season, John Buccigross of ESPN.com suggests the club should consider trading him.

The Washington Post’s Tarik El-Bashir reports that it remains unclear which of the Washington Capitals’ three deadline acquisitions, namely goalie Cristobal Huet, and forwards center Sergei Fedorov and Matt Cooke, will be back with the club next season.

All three are pending UFAs.

According to The Boston Globe’s Fluto Shinzawa, Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster’s next move will be to get Vincent Lecavalier’s name on a multi-year contract extension.

Lecavalier, who can become a UFA after next season, will undoubtedly look for as big a raise as he can get. And if that is too much for the Lightning to accept, Lecavalier could end up being “the most highly pursued UFA-to-be” before next year’s trade deadline.

Shinzawa also reports that the Ottawa Senators are negotiating a contract extension with pending RFA forwards Chris Kelly and Antoine Vermette, as well as Andrej Meszaros, all of which due for substantial raises.

Forward Chris Neil, who becomes a UFA after next season, could also be in line for a raise on his $1.1 million average salary.

A UFA this summer, defenseman Wade Redden will also need to be re-signed. However, he may be too expensive for the Senators.

One way that Senators GM Bryan Murray can clear some payroll by trading enigmatic goalie Ray Emery, if he can find a team to take him.

Lastly from Shinzawa, he reports that a number of teams have called the Boston Bruins to inquire about the availability of forward Milan Lucic.

Sundin refused to waive the no-trade clause and allow the deal to go through.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs were also close to acquiring Philadelphia Flyers forward Jeff Carter and the club’s first round pick in return for defenseman Tomas Kaberle on deadline day. The deal “was written up at the league office and awaiting approval,” but Kaberle invoked his no-trade clause.

The Edmonton Journal claims that the New Jersey Devils will sign Flyers defenseman Jason Smith in the off-season as an unrestricted free agent.

Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell told Craig Custance of The Atlanta Journal Constitution that he is not negotiating contract extensions with any of the club’s pending free agents.

“There are no talks going on right now,” Waddell said.

Waddell says that there is plenty of time to discuss new contracts with possible UFAs Mark Recchi, Johan Hedberg, Eric Boulton, Bobby Holik and Steve McCarthy, and the team’s lone pending RFA Kari Lehtonen.

“On our current team there’s only one restricted and that’s Lehtonen. We have a couple unrestricted guys but right now no talks have gone on with any of our players. I think the [current] situation, I don’t see a big need just yet. We have a couple weeks here to focus on winning hockey games.”

Pat Hickey of The Montreal Gazette suggests that the Canadiens will have an easier time attracting quality free agent in the summer due to their excellent play this season and good group of talented young players.

Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette suggests that the Pittsburgh Penguins should not trade forward Sidney Crosby for any reason. Duh!

According to Bucky Gleason of The Buffalo News, the Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon will try to move high-priced forward Martin Havlat and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin during the off-season.

Trading both players, who become unrestricted free agents next summer, would give the Blackhawks $12.75 million to spend in free agency.

If the Blackhawks don’t trade both players, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun believes that the club will certainly deal Havlat.

Jim Matheson of The Edmonton Journal reports that Los Angeles Kings pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Rob Blake would like to continue his NHL career for one or two more seasons. And preferably with the Kings.

However, for that to happen, Matheson suggests that the veteran blueliner will have to take a significant pay cut down to around $3 million per season.

Matheson also reiterates earlier reports that the Ottawa Senators can buy out goalie Ray Emery between June 15 and June 30 at one-third of the $6.75 million left on the last two years of his contract. That translates to a salary cap hit of $562,000 each of the next four years. Matheson suggests that that the Senators will indeed take advantage of this opportunity to dump Emery.

Look for the Edmonton Oilers to shop defenseman Joni Pitkanen in the off-season, according to Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch.

Portzline also reports that Oilers pending UFA forward Geoff Sanderson will retire at season’s end.

Garrioch believes that the New York Islanders will not trade goalie Rick DiPietro despite the friction he and head coach Ted Nolan.

Garrioch also reports that Colorado Avalanche pending UFA goaltender Jose Theodore could be pursued by the Kings and the Tampa Bay Lightning should he decided to go on the market.

More from Garrioch, he reports on a number of non-trades leading up to last month’s trade deadline.

First off, word is that the Philadelphia Flyers were willing to part with forward Jeff Carter and their first round draft pick for Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle. The deal fell through when Kaberle invoked the no-trade clause in his contract.

Secondly, the Atlanta Thrashers were unsuccessful in their attempts to move defenseman Alexei Zhitnik.

Lastly, Minnesota Wild GM Doug Risebrough wasn’t willing to meet the asking price for Florida Panthers forward Olli Jokinen.

According to Section 13 of the Standard Players Contract, players that are under 26 years of age can be bought out at only one-third of their deals. Since Emery turn 26 in September, the Senators would have to pay the struggling goaltender $2.25 million of the $6.75 million left on his remaining deal. The club would only take a $562,500 per season salary cap hit for the next four years.

There is a catch, however. If the Senators want to buy out Emery during the buyout period from June 15-30, they will have to place him on waivers and risk losing him for nothing.

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun suggests that the Toronto Maple Leafs will buy out back-up goalie Andrew Raycroft in the summer and replace him with rookie Justin Pogge.

The Maple Leafs will have to pay Raycroft $666,666 in each of the next two seasons.

Detroit Red Wings pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Brad Stuart tells Ansar Khan of mLive.com he’s not necessarily looking to sign his next contract with a Western Conference team.

“I’ve read that I’m a West Coast guy. I don’t see myself that way,” Stuart said. “I don’t have to play on the West Coast.”

Khan suggests that the Red Wings will wait until season’s end to begin negotiations with Stuart, if they choose to pursue him at all.

Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch reports that Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson would like to sign pending unrestricted free agent goaltender Pascal Leclaire to a contract extension before his current deal expires.

However, negotiations with Leclaire’s agent will not commence until the end of the regular season.

According to Luke DeCock of The News & Observer, the Carolina Hurricanes have been negotiating an NHL contract with the agent for junior forward Brandon Sutter for the past week.

Sutter’s season in the Western Hockey League will come to and end this weekend, and the Hurricanes are hoping to call up their first round pick in last summer’s entry draft to the big club.

However, it’s unclear if the CBA allows the Hurricanes to bring up Sutter straight to their big club or if the youngster will have to first suit up for their AHL affiliate.

“That’s a decision, obviously, that [general manager] Jim [Rutherford] and the coaches would make,” Hurricanes assistant general manager Ron Francis said.

Atlanta Thrashers co-owner Bruce Levenson tells Craig Custance of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Marian Hossa’s decision not to re-sign with the club wasn’t necessarily because he didn’t like “what he saw about the future of the organization.”

“I don’t think that’s an accurate statement. It was more complicated than that. To say Marian didn’t want to be here is a gross simplification of what happened.”

However, by naming Peca an alternate captain, management may be sending him a message.

“Hopefully, it says they want me to be around for a little while,” said Peca, 33.

“This is a place we would love to stay and there has been an indication that it might be a reciprocal feeling on their part, but we’ll see what happens.”

Bob Hunter of The Columbus Dispatch suggests that the Blue Jackets may pursue a trade for struggling San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau to fill their first-line center position.

The Blue Jackets could receive a first round draft pick, from a deadline deal that saw defenseman Adam Foote moved to the Colorado Avalanche, that they can package along with “a good player or two” to acquire Marleau.

Marleau has a no-trade clause that takes effect July 1st, so he’d have to be moved before then without his approval.

Speaking of the Sharks, USA Today’s Kevin Allen suggests that should Sharks defenseman Brian Campbell become an UFA he could get a six-year deal worth at least $50 million this summer.

Campbell will undoubtedly be the most sought after blueliner on the market due to the lack of top-tier defensemen due to become available.

Allen also believes that pending UFA defensemen Wade Redden of the Ottawa Senators and Michael Rozsival of the New York Rangers could also get significant contracts.

As for Pittsburgh Penguins soon-to-be UFA forward Marian Hossa, he could definitely land a deal averaging more than the $7 million per season the Atlanta Thrashers were offering him before they traded him.

Lastly from Allen, he suggests that the Thrashers will have a big off-season after losing Hossa, while the Edmonton Oilers continue their efforts to land a “Star” player. Look for the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders to possibility do the same.

However, both players refused to waive the no-trade clauses in their contracts.

Kaberle says that while it’s flattering other teams showed interest in him, he had no intentions of leaving Toronto.

“It’s nice when there is interest,” Kaberle said of the Flyers. “But I’ve said it every day in the past month — I wanted to stay here. I love it here.”

Steve Gorten of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Florida Panthers pending UFA defenseman Jassen Cullimore hopes to stick around with the club past this season.

Still with the Panthers, GM Jacques Martin tells Gorten that there’s nothing new to report in regards to suspended forward Chad Kilger. The former Toronto Maple Leaf is still to report to the team that acquired him on deadline day last month.

Martin said he has talked with Kilger “a couple of times” last week, though he remains unsure whether the veteran pivot will play again this season.

“I don’t know if I can say that, but there’s no new development on it.”

Tim Sassone of the Chicago Daily Herald reports that Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon shopped forward Martin Havlat and Nikolai Khabibulin at the deadline, but didn’t find the right deal. Sassone suggests that Tallon may try to deal the duo in the summer.

If it were up to Sassone, though, he would hang on to Havlat and try to clear out Khabibulin to make room for goalie Corey Crawford.

Adrian Dater of The Denver Post suggests that Avalanche goalie Jose Theodore “will keep Colorado at the top of his wish list if/when he does become unrestricted” this summer.

There was some thought last summer that the Avalanche may buy out Theodore, but that did not happen. The former Hart Trophy winner may take that into consideration and give the Avalanche a better chance to re-sign him.

Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings, Paul Stastny of the Colorado Avalanche, Phil Kessel of the Boston Bruins, Alexander Radulov of the Nashville Predators, Drew Stafford of the Buffalo Sabres, Jiri Hudler of the Detroit Red Wings, David Booth of the Florida Panthers, Brandon Dubinsky of the New York Rangers, and Travis Zajac of the New Jersey Devils.

While not all are expected to receive long-term deals such as the one signed by Philadelphia Flyers forward Mike Richards last December (12 years totaling $69 million), it’s possible that some of the top tier players may.

Looks like we were on to something: the NHL’s CBA prohibits teams from buying out injured players at two-thirds of their salaries, as Luke DeCock of The News & Observer suggested the Carolina Hurricanes may do with defenseman David Tanabe this summer.

DeCock reports today that for the Hurricanes to be allowed to buy out his contract for 2/3, Tanabe would have be declared fit to play by July 1.

Otherwise, the Hurricanes would be on the hook for Tanabe’s entire $900,000 salary. The good news is that it wouldn’t count against the salary cap.

Look for the St. Louis Blues to bolster their inconsistent offense during the off-season.

St. Louis Post Dispatch President John Davidson tells Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch that while he’s well aware of his club’s shortcomings, the organization still needs to pinpoint where their troubles stem from.

“For whatever reason, we haven’t scored and we have to figure out why,” Davidson said Sunday, one day after the Blues’ 4-2 loss to Vancouver.

“… there’s a lot of variables that we’ll have to sift through.”

The Rangers are set to play the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Czech Republic next October, and Sather would like to have the Czech forward in the line-up.

But while Jagr claims he would like to return to the Big Apple, the 36-year-old is yet to decide if and where he will play next season.

Phoenix Coyotes pending unrestricted free agent forward Mike York tells Jim Gintonio of The Arizona Republic that he’s not too concerned about his contractual status. York says he’s more focused on helping his club earn a playoff berth.

“I think much more, we’re playing for the playoffs,” he said. “You want to be your best at this time of year, no matter what. Next year’s a long way off.”

While Pittsburgh Penguins pending unrestricted free agent Georges Laraque has fallen out of grace with the Penguins’ coaching staff recently, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports the club would like to bring him back due to his physical play and fighting abilities.

Luke DeCock of The News & Observer reports that Carolina Hurricanes defenseman David Tanabe is done for the season due to concussion problems.

DeCock suggests that the Hurricanes may consider buying out Tanabe’s remaining year of his contract (valued at $900,000) during the off-season at two-thirds of the amount (which would come out to $600,000). Is that even possible, though? Can a team buy out an injured player?

With a weak unrestricted free agent market for centers (i.e. Martin Straka, Brendan Morrison, Daymond Langkow and Vaclav Prospal), the Blue Jackets will have deal to fill their biggest need.

The Blue Jackets could have two number one draft picks this summer. They will have their own pick, and if they make the playoffs they will get the Colorado Avalanche’s pick as part of the deal for Adam Foote.

Portzline suggests San Jose Sharks struggling center Patrick Marleau as a possible acquisition.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that the Sharks offered forward Steve Bernier to the New York Rangers in exchange for pending unrestricted free agent forward Sean Avery before last month’s trade deadline.

Rangers GM Glen Sather passed on the deal, however.

Before sending Bernier to the Buffalo Sabres for pending UFA defenseman Brian Campbell, word is that the Pittsburgh Penguins were also interested in acquiring the 22-year-old.

Brooks also reports that Sather sees Avery’s value as $2.75 million per season, and may not want to spend more than that to re-sign him.

Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster claims the club’s new ownership group will try to sign All-Star forward Vincent Lecavalier to a multi-year contract, reports Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times.

And that appears to be just fine with Hejda, who tells Derek Van Diest he’d very much like to remain with the Blue Jackets.

“I would like to stay here. I don’t like moving. My family is here, my daughter’s in school. I don’t like to move around.”

It’s expected that the Czech blueliner will receive a pretty good raise on the $1 million he earned this season.

Should San Jose Sharks pending UFA defenseman Brian Campbell become available on the open market, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun suggests the Ottawa Senators will try to sign him. Especially if the club decides not to re-new defenseman’s Wade Redden contract, who is also set to become an UFA July 1st.

Word is that the Senators tried to acquire Campbell from the Buffalo Sabres before the trade deadline, but the Sabres had no desire of dealing him to an Eastern Conference rival.

Scott Morrison of the Toronto Sun reports that New York Rangers pending UFA forward Sean Avery is looking for an average salary of $3.5 million on his next contract.

“There are a number of ways we can get better and one is by adding more bite to our game,” Fletcher said yesterday as the Leafs took off for Boston. “I don’t think it will be that hard. Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, there are a lot of players out there.”

Should New York Rangers pending UFA forward Sean Avery hit the open market, might the Maple Leafs take a run at him?

Stan Fischler of MSG Network suggests that Avery will not leave the Big Apple because he loves playing in New York.

San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton tells Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun that he has already begun trying to convince newly acquire defenseman Brian Campbell to re-sign with the club.

If he does not sign a contract extension with the Sharks, Campbell is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1st.

Campbell claims David Pollak of the Mercury News that he does not want to think about a contract until the end of the season.

Michael Zuidema of mLive.com reports that forward Darren McCarty will return to the Detroit Red Wings Monday when his two-week conditioning stint with the Grand Rapids Griffins ends.

“It’s a different style,” he said. “I find it more fun to play. I know last year when I went to Calgary, I liked it more. The games were a little more intense.”

So, could it be with the Red Wings?

“I think I’m hoping things go well and that maybe I find a spot here,” he said. “I can see myself enjoying it here and wanting to stay.”

Red Wings GM Ken Holland is believed to have pursued Stuart during the past off-season, but the blueliner decided to sign with the Los Angeles Kings.

Still with the Red Wings, Holland tells George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press that the club is close to signing with pending UFA forward Dan Cleary to a contract extension.

“We’re talking term,” Holland said. “We’ve been talking anywhere from four to six [years].”

Erik Erlendsson of The Tampa Tribune reports that Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster is interested in re-signing pending UFA forward Chris Gratton.

With the acquisition of pending UFA goaltender Cristobal Huet from the Montreal Canadiens on trade deadline day, George Solomon of the Washington Post implies that the Washington Capitals may be sending a message to their long-time starter, Olaf Kolzig.

Kolzig, a soon-to-be UFA himself, could be nearing the end of his tenure with the organization he has played for the past 18 years.

“There are things in life and in the game of hockey that are out of your control. It’s how you deal with it that separates you from other people.”

According to Michael Russo of the Minnesota Star Tribune, the Minnesota Wild was ready to deal forward Benoit Pouliot at the trade deadline. However, clubs were more interested in players like James Sheppard, Mikko Koivu and Colton Gillies.

San Jose Sharks pending unrestricted free agent forward Jeremy Roenick tells David Pollak of the Mercury News that he hopes to play hokey past this season.

“I’ll talk to [Sharks GM] Doug Wilson at the end of the season and see if he’ll give the old man another wheel around,” Roenick told reporters. “I definitely feel I can do it - I’m at 190 pounds and I haven’t been there in 10 years.”

“I think it is pretty obvious there is going to be a lot of changes and lot of turmoil through the summer, but to talk like that is pretty premature,” Raycroft said. “Whoever is going to be the GM here, if my dad was GM, maybe I would play 82 games next year. Maybe I should just throw my name into the hat for the job and play myself 82 times.”

If the The Maple Leafs can’t deal Raycroft, the club may can buy him out at two-thirds of his $2 million salary cap hit, spread out over the next two seasons.

Raycroft will earn $2.2 million next season next season, the last on his three year deal.

Boston Bruins pending unrestricted free agent forward Glen Metropolit The Boston Globe’s Fluto Shinzawa that his agent has talked with the club’s management about a possible contract extension.

Though “nothing serious has been discussed,” Metropolit isn’t too concerned. Apparently, he’s heard other teams are interested should he hit the open market July 1st.

Ansar Khan of mLive reports that the Detroit Red Wings are close to agreeing on a contract extension with pending UFA forward Dan Cleary.

The only stumbling block appears to be salary, as the term appears to be agreed upon: five years. Expectations are that Cleary will make between $2.5 million and $3 million.

Red Wings GM Ken Holland says he is in constant contact with Cleary’s agent, as he is eager to get a new pact signed before July 1st.

Khan also reports that Holland is discussing a new deal with the agent for pending UFA defenseman Andreas Lilja. The Red Wings would like to re-sign Lilja to a two-year deal.