Some news and notes:
- With less than 48 hours until the NHL free agency period begins, the first big question is how many of the marquee free agents will even get to the open market.
- Defenseman Johnny Oduya expected to finalize new deal with New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.
- Coyotes owner is blasting the $148 million bid by for his bankrupt NHL team as illegitimate.
- Hossa gets his ‘take it or leave it’ offer from the Red Wings; Lilja’s health will determine which defenseman gets traded.
- Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero announced that the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed right-winger Bill Guerin to a one year contract.
- Dany Heatley could be traded before July 1, but it’s going to take a significant offer from the New York Rangers or the Edmonton Oilers — the two clubs seemingly most interested in the goal-scoring winger — to get it done.
- Calgary Flames GM Darryl Sutter is wasting little time in his pursuit of one of the top defensemen in the NHL. He is having a face to face meeting with Bouwmeester and his representatives.
- The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed Jussi Jokinen to a $3.4 million contract over the next two seasons the club announced.
- Ed Belfour, who turned 44 last April, is working out near his suburban Dallas home as he seeks a return to the NHL.
- Jay McKee, Peter Schaeffer and Brett McLean have been placed on unconditional waivers, for the purposes of buying out their contracts.
- General manager Darcy Regier made the announcement on Monday, hours before a 5 p.m. deadline for teams to make offers to their restricted free agents.
- Ducks plan patience with free agent market.
- The Chicago Blackhawks have re-signed second-line centreman David Bolland, inking the restricted free agent to a five-year deal.
- The San Jose Sharks are beginning a roster makeover by declining to make qualifying offers to forwards Marcel Goc, Tomas Plihal and Lukas Kaspar.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a qualifying offer to goaltender Justin Pogge.
- Londoner Nazem Kadri reflects on being the Toronto Maple Leafs first-round draft pick.
- Regina to host Lightning, Senators pre-season game almost 30 years since they last hosted a game between the Jets and Blues.
- A Tuesday news conference will announce the addition of a Quad City team in the International Hockey League for the 2009-2010 season.
- Health Canada warns that National Hockey League-themed baby pacifiers sold at arenas and other retailers a choking hazard.
- Jean Béliveau – a 10-time Stanley Cup champion and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame – has been named an honourary captain of Canada’s 2010 men’s Olympic hockey team.
- For the first time in franchise history, the Islanders did not have a single 20-goal scorer last season. Rookie Kyle Okposo led them with 18 goals.
