Slap shots: Oduya, Cole, Sullivan, Schaefer, Blake, Gustavsson

Here are some of this mornings big NHL stories:

• The New Jersey Devils have re-signed defenseman Johnny Oduya.
• Erik Cole will not sign a new contract with the Carolina Hurricanes before the deadline and will test the free-agent market.
• Nashville forward Steve Sullivan would likely have to take less money if he opts to re-sign with the Predators rather than pursue a contract on the open market.
• The Boston Bruins have placed forward Peter Schaefer on unconditional waivers, which means he’ll likely be bought out of his contract.
• Defenseman Rob Blake has agreed to a one-year contract to remain with the San Jose Sharks.
• Swedish goalie Jonas Gustavsson says he will wait until after July 1 to make his decision.

ESPN notes: Hossa, Sedin twins, Havlat, Kessel, others

As always, some interesting notes from ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun:

• The Detroit Red Wings have received some calls about trading for the rights to Marian Hossa.
• Canucks GM Mike Gillis and met Friday night with the agent for the Sedin twins, but didn’t make any progress
• The Chicago Blackhawks are still trying to re-sign goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and winger Martin Havlat, though there’s word spreading that Havlat may prefer Montreal
• The Boston Bruins couldn’t find a match with the Toronto Maple Leafs, so now they’re going to at least try to get RFA Phil Kessel locked into a contract.

ESPN rumors: Bouwmeester, Kessel, St. Louis, Luongo, others

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun has some interesting rumors and details of action around the NHL. Here are a few highlights:

• Four teams have seriously inquired about acquiring the rights for pending UFA Jay Bouwmeester
• The Boston Bruins offered Phil Kessel to Toronto for Tomas Kaberle and the Maple Leafs’ first round draft pick (No. 7 overall). The Leafs have made it clear that they don’t want to trade that pick, unless it means moving up.
• The New York Rangers may be trying to acquire Martin St. Louis
• The Vancouver Canucks are trying to work out an extension with goalie Roberto Luongo, who has one year left on his deal 
• Flyers goalie Martin Biron will likely test the UFA market
• The Chicago Blackhawks are trying to re-sign, but haven’t made much progress with, goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and winger Martin Havlat

Slap shots: Stars, Wild, Canadians, Sharks

A few interesting stories from today and late last night:

• The Dallas Morning News looks at the tasks ahead for new GM Joe Nieuwendyk
• The Star-Tribune looks at how Phil Kessel could be a fit for the Minnesota Wild
• Similarly, the Pioneer Press says the Wild would like to make a deal prior to the draft
• The Gazette says that Canadians captain Saku Koivu’s future with the team is in limbo
• The Sharks have various matters at hand that need addressing.

GM sets deadline to trade Dany Heatley as July 1, not this Friday

Dany Heatley has given the Ottawa Senators a list of nine teams to which he’d waive his no-trade clause, however, GM Bryan Murray is taking offers from all teams, according to ESPN’s Pierre LaBrun. Murray says he definitely wants to move the winger by July 1 to avoid paying Heatley a $4 million roster bonus. However, Murray downplays talk that the team is trying to move Heatley prior to this Friday’s entry draft.

LaBrun lists these teams as interested in Heatley: Los Angeles, Minnesota, Edmonton and the New York Rangers; he expects more teams to get in on the talks.

Sun Media reports that the teams on Heatley’s list include: Los Angeles, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins. Wonder who the other two teams are?

Where do you think Heatley will end up? When do you see a trade going down?

No shortage of teams interested in Dany Heatley

The Ottawa Sun just posted an article, noting that there will be no shortage of teams interested in Dany Heatley. The article lists the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadians, Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins as teams that may test the trade waters. The article also notes that Heatley has a full no-trade clause in his contract, and that may play into where he ends up.

Boston Globe columnist looks at options for Phil Kessel

The Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont looks into the salary value and options for Phil Kessel. Interesting quote in the article from an anonymous agent: “I think he’ll be gone. Chiarelli will dump him with a West Coast team where he can score his 40 goals every year, and he’ll be out of sight, out of mind.”

Dupont notes a recent rumor that had Kessel being traded to Colorado in a package that would include the No. 2 overall pick in this summer’s draft. However, Dupont says such a deal won’t happen.

Would Martin Havlat be an ideal linemate for Sidney Crosby?

The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garroich has some interesting notes in a column posted earlier this week. He says:
- Chicago’s Martin Havlat would be an ideal linemate for Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby
- Minnesota is trying to resign Marian Gaborik, but he could end up signing elsewhere, like with the Los Angeles Kings
- Phil Kessel and the Bruins are far apart on contract negotiations; he could be traded
- The Kings, Canadians and Leafs all could make a pitch for Ducks UFA defenseman Francois Beauchemin

Read Garroich’s column here.