Hughes even believes that the Lightning wants LeCavalier to end his career with them in the future. He claimed not to have spoken with the team yet about a contract, but from what he’s heard, the team really wants to keep him.

The Lightning’s GM Jay Feaster has already made it clear that he intends on speaking to LeCavalier and Hugues about a new contract before Vincent an unrestricted free agent in 2009. He will have a chance to sign an expansion to Vincent’s contract as of July 1st and I believe, like many others, that Feaster is going to try to put an end to this case and put rumors to rest once and for all.

It’s very normal for the Lightning to want him to stay in Tampa Bay, seeing how the let Brad Richards and Vaclav Prospal leave like that. LeCavalier is the heart and soul of the Lightning and letting him go would take away a big part of the team’s success. It is true that Steven Stamkos’ era is on the verge of starting, but you only have one LeCavalier, and what if Stamkos is a disappointment? I wouldn’t take the risk of having him leave…at least not without getting anything in return!

Ok. Barry Melrose is really getting on my last nerve! Do you want to come back in th NHL or do you want to keep your job at ESPN? Ok, we got it, you love your job, but you’d love to come back and coach again for a NHL team. I believe it’s time for that guy to take a decision once and for all! The Toronto Star reported that Melrose is set to come back behind The Tampa Bay Lightning’s bench. The reason for Melrose’s hiring would be to enhance the sell of hockey in Tampa Bay. We will have to wait for the team’s sale approval to find out the truth about that story.

Many newspapers columnists have been writing and claiming that the hiring of Melrose, which apparently involves a two years/two millions contract, should be announced in the following days or week. Melrose commented the rumor to the Toronto Star by making the following clear: nothing has changed for him in the past ten years, he’s been approached by NHL teams every year since he joined ESPN, he does want to coach again in the NHL, but he loves his job at ESPN.

So if he’s not coaching the Lightning next season, who is? And where is Tortorella going to end up? Jobless? I could very well picture a guy like Tortorella, tough as he is, coaching a team like the Senators…

One thing is certain in all of this, Tortorella is said to not being appreciated by the players and the Lightning’s new owner, and another is said to be true, new owner Oren Koules is looking for someone to replace John Tortorella. But not just anyone. Someone that could be able to sell hockey very well in a place like Florida. If, and that’s a big if, the rumor happens to be true and kept secret, it should be announced to the public once and for all as soon as the sale of the Lightning is approved, which is set to happen on June 18th.

More and more is Price beginning to look like the 20-year-old kid he is. The pressure in the Stanley Cup playoffs is immense and Philadelphia is a tough building to play in.

Here’s what I wrote back on April 3: “I think, and hope, the Canadiens end up regretting trading (Cristobal) Huet instead of keeping him as insurance for the playoffs.”

Dreams, my friends, can come true. With the Flyers now up two-to-one over Montreal, I can’t help but think of Happy Gilmore headbutting Bob Barker and telling him: “The price is wrong, bitch.” Best. Cameo. Appearance. Ever.

Still on the Flyers/Habs series, is Darian Hatcher not the biggest doofus in the NHL? His hit from behind on Francis Bouillon was bush-league and typical of the Philadelphia Flyers. But it takes a special type of moron to do it in the third period with his team up three-nothing. Hatcher single-handedly got the Canadiens back into the game and while I hate both teams equally, a part of me was hoping the Habs would tie it up, and even win it in overtime, so Hatcher could feel like even more of an idiot. What a douche bag. I hate Hatcher.

Here’s a video called “Hitler Loves the Flyers” courtesy of Slap Shot, the New York Times hockey blog. It was made after the Habs won game one of their series with Philadelphia so while the shots at Martin Biron are clearly unwarranted today, the numerous disses thrown at Danielle Briere are simply amazing. The video is golden. Enjoy!

Seriously, how does Detroit do it? Johan Franzen, aka “The Mule,” is tied for the NHL playoff goal-scoring lead with seven goals in only eight games.

So, uh, who the hell is this guy? Franzen scored 27 goals in the regular season to go along with only 11 assists. Eight of those goals were game-winners and 14 came on the power play. The guy’s a sniper. To close out the regular season, Franzen scored 15 goals in Detroit’s final 16 games. He’s picked up right where he left off in the playoffs.

I must admit that I knew Franzen was poised for a breakout season. I picked him in the last round of my keeper league fantasy hockey pool. Sure, I dropped him after he opened the season with only one goal in 17 games, but, well, that’s besides the point. I still knew.

Franzen is the next player on the long list of successful late Detroit Red Wings draft picks. He was chosen in the third round, 97th overall back in 2004.

The others? Pavel Datsyuk, drafted in the sixth round, 171st overall in 1998. Nicklas Lidstrom, drafted in the third round, 53rd overall way back in 1989. Dude’s had a pretty good career, hasn’t he? Valtteri Filppula, who scored 19 goals this season, was chosen in the third round, 95th overall in 2002. Look for him to have a Franzen-type breakout season next year. Tomas Holmstrom, drafted in the 10th round, 257th overall back in 1994, has forged a nice little career for himself. And, of course, Henrik Zetterberg, drafted in the 7th round, 210th overall in 1999, is only one of the NHLs best players.

Unbelievable, eh? Detroit’s scouting and drafting department is the best in the NHL, no contest. If the Toronto Maple Leafs are serious about winning a Stanley Cup they should buy the Detroit scouting staff and get Ken Holland over here asap.

Sean Avery has officially transcended hockey. Here’s a piece about him in The New Yorker.

Speaking of douche-baggery, here’s an article I’ve been wanting to share for a long time, courtesy of The New York Times, on the timeless art of the face wash.

Is it time to officially give the Dallas Stars some respect? First they shoot down the defending champion Anaheim Ducks in five games and then they go into San Jose and win games one and two on the road. Yeah, I think some respect is due.

Dan Myers over at Penalty Shots thinks the Leafs should be considering, get ready for this one, Bobby Clarke for the general manager position. Clarke’s career record as a GM is a sparkling 714-443-199. It’s tough to argue with that record, but it’s not tough to argue that Clarke is a serious douche who left one hell of a mess behind in Philadelphia. While we do have what Clarke never did in Philly – a goalie – I just don’t see it happening.

The Toronto Marlies are moving on to the second round of the AHL playoffs thanks to an ugly goal by Bates Battaglia with only a minute to go in game seven last night. While I’m still losing sleep over the fact that Justin Pogge is not in net for the Marlies, Scott Clemmensen was great yesterday, making 33 saves to ensure the victory. He’s keeping the hopes of a parade alive in the city of Toronto. Sad, I know, but it’s all we’ve got.

Speaking of Toronto, when did we become the “City of Champions”? I thought Edmonton held that title? Did I miss the memo or something, because I sure as hell haven’t missed any championships.

I ask because Damien Cox wrote a blog post entitled “A Tradition of, Um, Something” in which he took the city’s sports teams to task for, well, sucking. He took shots at the Leafs (of course), the Toronto Rock, some OHL teams no one gives a damn about, the Raptors, Marlies, Blue Jays, and Toronto FC. Basically, anything and everything MLSE related. It’s just Cox being Cox, you know, in his tradition of, um, bad sports writing.

Perhaps that’s why Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has initiate contract talks with Carter’s agent, Rick Curran, as Chuck Gormley of the Courier Post Online reports. However, a deal isn’t close to being completed.

Carter was almost traded along with a first round draft pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs before the trade deadline in exchange for defenseman Tomas Kaberle. The deal was called off when Kaberle refused to waive his no-trade clause.

Erik Erlendsson of The Tampa Tribune suggests that with the addition of “couple of top-six forwards” (whether acquired via free agency or the entry draft), “at least one more veteran defenseman,” and “a solid backup goaltender” the Tampa bay Lightning would be a much better team.

The Lightning have $33 million already committed to 14 players for next season, leaving them perhaps as much as $23 million to spend under the salary cap. Of course, the club may have a different budget to work with depending on what ownership may impose.

Atlanta Thrashers forward Slava Kozlov tells Craig Custance of The Atlanta Journal Constitution that his team could really use a top defenseman.

“This team needs a foundation, defensively – like a [Zdeno] Chara or [Nicklas] Lidstrom. Good teams, they have one or two very good defensemen who can play 30-35 [minutes per game]. Like [Chris] Pronger on Anaheim – one of those guys. They’re hard to find, but that’s what we need. With our goalie, he can win a game by himself, but we have to help them. We can’t let the other team shoot 40-45 times.”

According to Damien Cox of the Toronto Star, the future of pending UFA forward Mats Sundin with the Toronto Maple Leafs is up in the air.

The team may decide to offer him an $8 million deal over two years, or not even bother to bring him back.

Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun suggests that any team thinking of spending the $3 or $4 million Calgary Flames pending UFA forward Kristian Huselius may ask for this summer, would be better off spending their money elsewhere.

Take pending unrestricted free agent forward Mats Sundin, for example.

Sundin tells Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun that there is no truth to recent reports he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to the Detroit Red Wings. Or anywhere else for that matter.

“I can’t control the (scuttlebutt). Maybe all these rumours are my own fault because I only signed a one-year deal (last summer),” Sundin said when informed of the report out of Boston. “Maybe there wouldn’t be as much talk about this stuff had I signed for longer.”

“I haven’t given up on this team. We haven’t come from behind much this season so maybe this win will give us some confidence. We are going to play a lot of teams around us in the standings.”

It’s believed that Fletcher won’t ask Sundin to accommodate a trade unless he’s made an offer he can’t refuse by one of his colleagues. It’s unclear whether Sundin would comply even then.

And then there’s, defenseman Tomas Kaberle, who also remains steadfast in his desire of staying with the Maple Leafs. Rumors out of New York indicated he would waive his no-trade clause to go play for the Rangers. Not true says the smooth skating blueliner.

Meanwhile, Toronto Star’s Paul Hunter reports that forward Darcy Tucker has no interest in waiving his no-trade clause and allow the team to move him.

Tucker, who has played much better recently, would be an attractive pick up for teams looking for a third-line energy player.

Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland tells Paul Hunter of The Toronto Star that the need for teams to retain their draft picks and prospects has become more important in the salary cap era.

“What I’m seeing, three years into this CBA, is that teams need cheaper players on the back end of their rosters. If you don’t have those players coming through the draft, where do you get them?” said Holland. “Where do you fill in if you’ve given up those drafts or prospects?”

Holland reiterates to John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that teams will have to fill the bottom part of their rosters will less expensive talent.

“Teams are going to have to make harder decisions about trading first-round picks and real good prospects,” Detroit GM Ken Holland said. “I’m not saying it won’t happen, but it’s harder and harder to do with the way the CBA (collective bargaining agreement) is fleshing itself out.”

“We have 15 players getting $1.2 million or less; some will retire, but some we’ll end up playing more. How do you fill in the back end of the roster if you’re continually trading away picks and prospects?”

So, does this mean that we won’t see as many trades this year as in past years?

Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke suggests that that is not necessarily true.

“I think you’ll see a slew of deals,” said Burke this week. “We’ve already had one with Ottawa and Carolina. That was like the ice on a lake in the spring. Once the first big piece goes out, then the other pieces start to move.”

However, Burke understands that dealing at the deadline is a total gamble.

“There’s a gambler’s mentality to it; you’ve got to be willing to gamble when you’re close and you have that window,” Burke said.

Still, when you’re the GM of a team at the top of the standings with players that may be getting up in age, you have to take that chance and part with some of the future to win in the present.

“If you’re realistic, there are never more than three to five (teams) that are close (to winning it all),” Burke said this week. “When you’re in that window, you have to try, because you might not be there for another 10 years.”

With the GM meetings starting up Monday in Naples, Fla., Minnesota Wild GM Doug Risebrough says that some teams do try to stir things up. But while deals aren’t always completed, at least seeds are planted for future trades.

“A lot of guys try to touch base before they go down, at least with the teams they think there’s a fit, and clearly when you go down there you get a chance to do it again,” he said. “But last year down there, nothing happened.”

“It’s hard to tell. You can only go by how you deal; some guys are in a hurry and some aren’t.”

According to Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell, one big move could spark a chain reaction.

“All it takes,” he said, “is one team to step forward.”

Chuck Gormley of the Courier Post Online suggests that the Flyers might look at a number of blueliners, including Brian Campbell of the Buffalo Sabres, Tomas Kaberle of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dan Boyle and Filip Kuba of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Brad Stuart of the Los Angeles Kings.

“Ideally, you need puck-moving guys and that’s an area of concern at times,” Holmgren said. “At times it’s not. I like our team and if this is our team Feb. 27 I’d feel fine with that.”

Detroit Red Wings pending unrestricted free agent forward Daniel Cleary tells Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star that he would take less money to re-sign with the club.

“On the free-agent market you never know what you’re worth, but I’m certainly willing to take less to stay here,” Cleary said.

Speculation is that Cleary could earn as much as $4 million per year in the off-season. However, the Red Wings are unlikely to go that high.

Toronto Sun’s Mike Zeisberger and Ansar Khan of mLive.com both report that Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom has contacted Swedish forward Fabian Brunnstrom in an attempt to convince him to sign with Detroit.

“I just tried to explain what it’s like to play here and the experience I have from playing on the Wings for a lot of years,” Lidstrom said. “He’s still up in the air, he said he still hasn’t decided what he’s going to do.”

Brunnstrom is said to be “concerned about how much ice time” he would receive on such a talented team like the Red Wings.

Along with the Red Wings, the Vancouver Canucks and the Maple Leafs are believed to be on Brunnstrom’s shortlist of potential destinations.

However, the belief is that the Maple Leafs would never trade Sundin to their arch-rival, the Senators. A more likelier destination remains the Detroit Red Wings, due to their strong Swedish contingent.

Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom tells Ansar Khan of mLive.com that if he was asked by management to try and recruit his fellow Swede, he would.

“If it happens and [Red Wings GM Ken Holland] wants me to do something, I can help out,” Lidstrom said.

Even if the two aren’t the closest of friends as Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press points out.

“We’re not that close, we don’t hang out in the summertime,” Lidstrom said. “I don’t talk to him on a regular basis.”

Meanwhile, Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg, another Swede, tells Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News that he wouldn’t make the best recruiter.

“Only Mats knows what he wants to do and you have to respect that,” Zetterberg said.

“I don’t think I have the power to do that,” Zetterberg said.

Sundin has stated on numerous occasions his desire to remain in Toronto, and with the no-trade clause in his contract he controls his destiny.

Lidstrom is well aware that Sundin doesn’t want to leave the Maple Leafs, as Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun and Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star report.

“From what I hear, he wants to stay there. So I guess that ends that discussion.”

If Sundin does waive his no-trade clause, Khan speculates the Maple Leafs will try to land “a young player and/or prospects and draft picks” for their captain, a price that the Red wings may unwilling to meet. Unless, of course, Sundin signs a contract extension to play past this season.

Speculation is that the Flyers are interested in a number of defensemen including Dan Boyle and Filip Kuba of the Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as Rob Blake and Brad Stuart of the Los Angeles Kings.

According to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun, if the Flyers sign Forsberg and decide to pick up a defenseman, they might use forward Scottie Upshall as trade bait to acquire the blueliner.

As for Forsberg, NorthJersey.com reports that along with the Flyers, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers are also said to be among the teams interested in acquiring his services.

The New Jersey Devils are in dire need of a top-two line center, so they may also get involved in the Forsberg sweepstakes.

Ansar Khan of mLive.com notes that the Detroit Red Wings will also pursue Forsberg, but points out that the Flyers appear to be the front-runners with the Colorado Avalanche as a strong possibility as well.

Meanwhile, Damien Cox of the Toronto Star suggests that while the Ottawa Senators could use a player of Forsberg’s skill and talent, his health concerns may prevent the club from signing him.

The Senators need a top-line player that can compete and stay healthy through four rounds of the playoffs, something that Forsberg hasn’t been able to do in a long time.

“It’s early yet. The level of intensity among the general managers is low,” he said.

One potential candidate to be shopped by the Maple Leafs is pending unrestricted free agent forward Mats Sundin. Well, that’s if he agrees to waive his-no trade clause.

Fletcher met with Sundin Wednesday to discuss the matter, but would not divulge any details about their conversation.

“That’s something private,” said Fletcher.

While it’s unclear if Fletcher was trying to convince Sundin to allow the club to trade him, it appears as though the meeting has not changed Sundin’s position of wanting to continue playing in Toronto.

“There’s nothing really to talk about. My position hasn’t changed. I want to say here and that’s about it.”

“I want to stay here. I keep saying that every time. But, go ahead, you can keep asking the same question,” Sundin told reporters.

Sundin said he had a good talk with his GM, but, like Fletcher, would not offer any more details.

“We had a good talk, just in general about how the season has been going and about the team,” Sundin said yesterday.

“I’m not going to talk about anything that was said in the conversation. We had a good meeting and that was it.”

Hossa says that money isn’t an issue for him, rather it’s his desire to play for a Stanley Cup contender that’s stopping him from re-signing. While he says he wants to remain in Atlanta, Hossa wants to take his time in deciding if the Thrashers can become a playoff winner.

“It’s not about money,” Hossa said yesterday.

“I just want to make sure I do the right decision. When I sign for long term, I don’t want to sign and then we’re not winning.”

Rich Chere of The Star Ledger reports that if Thrashers GM Don Waddell doesn’t get Hossa’s name on a contract within the next two weeks, he will deal the All-Star player before the February 26 trade deadline.

McGran suggests that the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks are among a number of teams that would have keen interest in acquiring Hossa’s services.

The Slovakian-born player tells McGran that he is well aware of the rumors.

“Definitely I’m aware of it,” Hossa said. “But I leave everything with my agent. I’m just trying to have fun [while participating in the All-Star weekend in Atlanta].”

Ultimately, Hossa remains hopeful a deal will get done with the Thrashers.

“I’m sure Don and my agent (Ritch Winter) will keep talking. Hopefully, after the all-star break, something will happen,” he said.

“Right now I’m just focused with Buffalo and being there and hopefully winning,” Campbell said. “For me it’s mainly focusing on my job and keeping everything else away from me. It can happen to anybody.”

Campbell, who has recently cut off contract talks with the Sabres, tells Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun that he is happy negotiations have stopped and he can focus on playing the game.

“I’m quite happy that it’s quiet now. I just want to focus on playing the season,” said Campbell.

But is there any chance that talks resume? Campbell tells Kevin McGran of The Toronto Star that the ball is in the club’s court.

“It’s up to them,” Campbell said. “It’s quiet now. We’re going to wait till the end of the year and figure it out. It’s fine with me that way. Obviously, everybody wants to have something done.”

Garrioch suggests that if they can get Campbell’s name on a contract, the Sabres will move him before the February 26th trade deadline. The club does not want to risk losing Campbell for nothing the same way they did Chris Drury and Daniel Briere last summer.

Among other teams, the Chicago Blackhawks are said to be very interested in acquiring Campbell’s services for a late-season and playoff drive.

“If I wanted to move I would have signed somewhere else,” said Kaberle. “I like playing in Toronto. I like the pressure. I just want to be part of the team.”

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports that the Detroit Red Wings have signed unrestricted free agent forward Fabian Brunnstrom of the Swedish Elite League.

However, Rich Chere of The Star Ledger suggests that Brunnstrom will sign a contract with an NHL team (the Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs are said to be the contenders) after his Swedish Elite League season is over in a couple of months.

Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe reports that Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli would like to add some depth to his injury depleted roster before the February 26 trade deadline.

“Realistically, I don’t see us getting a top six forward,” he said Friday. “There are just too many people looking for a top six forward, and they’re not out there – not in the numbers to meet the demand. So that puts our focus more on guys who maybe are specialists – someone, say, for the power-play or penalty-killing units.”

Bucky Gleason of The Buffalo News suggests that the Ottawa Senators will move underachieving forward Antoine Vermette before the trade deadline.

Speaking of the Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson tells Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch that he has not discussed trading pending UFA forward Sergei Fedorov to the Senators in exchange for defenseman Joe Corvo. Howson says the he has not talked to Senators GM Bryan Murray “in more than a month.”

Portzline also reports that the Philadelphia Flyers are not happy with their goaltending duo of Antero Niittymaki and Martin Biron, and will look to acquire a “big-time” goalie before the trade deadline.

Lastly from Portzline, he reports that the Calgary Flames are closing in on a contract extension with pending restricted free agent defenseman Dion Phaneuf.

Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer tells Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun that he has not tried to convince UFA forward and former teammate Teemu Selanne to rejoin the Ducks.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Red Wings’ trade deadline shopping list includes a big, physical forward; a defensive defenseman; and a “decent” backup.

Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault tells Brad Ziemer of the National Post that he isn’t sure pending unrestricted free agent forward Trevor Linden fits in the team’s plans anymore.

“Where does Trevor fit? If we want to be an in-your-face type team on a fourth line, Trevor doesn’t fit there. We’re in that little dilemma now.”

It’s unknown at this time whether the Canucks would place on waivers or try to trade him if the club decided it was time to part ways with the veteran forward.

Toronto Star’s Damien Cox suggests that the Toronto Maple Leafs should “move assets and build for a better future” despite their improved play.

Cox points out that the Maple Leafs have between $41-43 million tied up in payroll next season and would be well advised to move some big contracts to gain some salary cap flexibility.

Indications are that the Maple Leafs want to sign Tavares for next season as a way of selling tickets to Toronto Marlies games.

But there may be a more devious plan in the works.

Reports indicate that the Maple Leafs have investigated the possibility of signing the Oshawa Generals forward to a three-year AHL contract as a way of using his “pro contract as leverage with whatever team drafts him.”

The idea is that the Maple Leafs are willing to pay Tavares well in excess of the $1 million NHL rookies earn per season in their first three years in the league, to play in the AHL and then “arrange to trade his rights to whatever NHL team drafted him” in 2009.

“If there’s any team that can afford it (a big AHL contract) it’s the Maple Leafs,” said one league source.

In another scenario, the Maple Leafs would try to convince Tavares to ignore the team that drafted him “and become an unrestricted free agent after his Marlies contract expires in 2011″ so he could sign with them.

However, there’s one problem with all of this, according to Pierre LeBrun writes on Sportsnet.ca: the 17-year-old Tavares is not eligible to play for the Toronto Marlies.

“The fact is, he would not be eligible to play in the American Hockey League next year,” AHL president Dave Andrews told The Canadian Press on Thursday. “Our bylaws require that a player be 18 as of Sept. 15 of the season in question for the player to be eligible. He doesn’t fit those criteria.”

Still, the AHL could grant an exemption to Tavares.

“The Maple Leafs, who own a team in our league, could ask to have the bylaw amended but it would require a three-quarter vote of our membership to amend any bylaw,” said Andrews. “Over the last 20 years I’ve been either on the board or serving as president as the league, I can’t remember very many instances where the board voted in favour of somebody gaining an advantage competitively.”

If the unlikely were to happen and the AHL decided to amend their bylaws, the NHL’s position is that they would not stand against Tavares signing a one-year deal with the Marlies.

“Purely from an NHL perspective, if the Marlies sign Tavares to a one-year deal before he became eligible for NHL play, it would be no issue for us,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Canadian Press.

Having Tavares ink a multi-year deal past his 2009-10 NHL eligibility would be out of the question, though.

“A multi-year AHL deal, done through an affiliate, would be a circumvention of the CBA,” said Daly.

When asked to comment on the situation, a representative from Tavares’ camp told Shoalts that they have not spoken with the Maple Leafs about joining the Marlies.

“We have not had a conversation with the Leafs, the Marlies or any member club in the NHL in this regard,” said Bryan Deasley. “I have not talked to anybody about this. This is completely shocking to my group and to John. Where this comes from, we don’t know.”

But according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, “contact was indeed made with the Tavares camp.” When pushed to clarify, Deasley admitted he had talked to the Maple Leafs regarding Tavares “but it never got to the stage of an offer or a negotiation.”

Still, TSN reports that there have been “no discussions that would lead Tavares to challenge AHL or NHL by-laws that prevent players under 18 years of age from playing in either league.”

Playing for the Generals, Tavares scored 72 goals in 67 games last season, and has 15 in 12 games so far this season.

“The ball’s basically in their court,” Peca’s agent, Don Meehan, said yesterday. “They (Leafs) are thinking things over and they’ll get back to me.”

With 13 forwards under contract and Antti Miettinen and Jussi Jokinen yet to be signed, Mike Heika of The Dallas Morning News suggests that the Dallas Stars may be moving “at least” one forward before the season starts.

While Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke has not commented on the Edmonton Oilers tendering forward Dustin Penner an offer sheet on Thursday, Eric Stephens of the Los Angeles Times suggests that Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke will match the offer. Burke has said in the past that he would match any offer made to any of his restricted free agents.

Dan Wood of the Orange County Register reports that UFA forward Teemu Selanne has not yet made up his mind on whether to retire or return to the NHL next season.

While the Detroit Red Wings could use a player of Dustin Penner’s skills, according to George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press the club’s GM Ken Holland isn’t “desperate” enough to have tendered the Anaheim Ducks forward an offer sheet.

Besides, Holland will be hard pressed getting forwards Henrik Zetterberg, Kris Draper, Dan Cleary, Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula under contract over the next two years.

Apparently, the Maple Leafs want Peca back. But first, they would like to clear some cap space first. The Maple Leafs currently have a cap hit of more than $48 million.

“They have some cap issues they’re trying to resolve,” Peca said yesterday.

A Stajan trade would clear $875,000 for the upcoming season, a sum that will likely cover Peca’s asking price. The veteran forward admits that he is not looking to cash in on his next contract.

“(Money) is really not an issue with me,” Peca said yesterday before participating in the NHL Players’ Association charity golf tournament at The Club at Bond Head, north of the city.

“It’s really about getting back in. Kind of like it was last year. I just want to get in a good situation and then try and prove myself again. I thought I was on track last year until I got hurt but I certainly have to look to do that again.”

As for Stajan, he says that while he hears the rumors of his potential departure from Toronto, he is not too worried.

“You live in Toronto all summer, you’re going to hear rumours,” shrugs the 23-year-old. “I’m living my dream. I’m playing in the NHL. Playing in Toronto is obviously the best situation and where I want to be. But you can’t have all that in the back of your head and be worried about it. If I start looking too much into the rumours, it will affect me mentally. You start worrying too much. I’m just keeping a fresh attitude and I’m working hard this summer in order to contribute to the Toronto Maple Leafs next season.”

Maple Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr. is said to have already held discussions with Peca’s agent, Don Meehan, and more talks are planned for next week.

However, the two sides remain apart on a deal. Ferguson has expressed some concerns with where Peca will fit on the roster. The Maple Leafs are also tight against the salary cap ceiling, so there is some concern there as well.

Meanwhile, Peca is exploring other options as well. It’s believed that the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers have all shown interest in the checking-center.

“We expect to resume talks soon, absolutely,” J.P. Barry, Sundin’s agent, said. “Taking into account the due diligence being done on both sides, we would like to continue working to get something done.”

The Maple Leafs are trying to sign Sundin to a more cap-friendly salary, and have between June 1-15 to do so. The Leafs have until the 15th to pick up the option on Sundin’s contract.

“That means that, in order to eliminate the option, they probably have until June 15, although ideally we’d like to have something sooner.”

If the Leafs can’t re-sign their captain by that date, they have two choices. They either decline the option and he becomes an unrestricted free agent, or they pick up the option and the Leafs will remain on the hook for Sundin’s current $6.33 million cap hit.

It’s believed that the two sides are discussing a “two-year deal worth between $11 million and $12.5 million US.”

Ferguson has no intentions of trading the club’s first-round pick or any of its top prospects like Jiri Tlusty and Nikolai Kulemin.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that the Anaheim Ducks are very much interested in acquiring Montreal Canadiens defenseman Sheldon Souray, and would overpay to do so.

McKenzie also reports that the Florida Panthers have a number of “offers on the table” for forward Todd Bertuzzi. Should they decide “one is acceptable,” the Panthers could move Bertuzzi before the February 27 trade deadline.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that the New York Rangers have held trade talks with the Phoenix Coyotes about defenseman Nick Boynton and the Los Angeles Kings about impending unrestricted free agent defenseman Aaron Miller.