NHL Morning Papers (Canada Day Edition): Dany Heatley says no to Edmonton, Canadiens almost traded Carey Price and Andrei Markov and Wings not optimistic about keeping Marian Hossa

NHL Free Agency

• Is Marian Hossa on his way out of Detroit?
• The Sedins’ agent has said his clients are preparing to cut ties with the Canucks.  If the Sedins do cut ties, it won’t be for a lack of effort from the Canucks management to get the signed.  Speaking of the Sedins, apparently they are atop Brian Burke’s wish list.
• In Boston, the Bruins have told a number of the team’s UFAs that there could be jobs in Boston depending on how the next few days transpire.  At least the Bruins are happy they don’t have to be aggressive in free agency this time around, explains Fluto Shinzawa.
• The Blackhawks, both players and management, have to work hard to get Martin Havlat’s name on a contract.
• Former Avalanche winger Ian Lapperierre is going to have his chance to sign wherever he wants–beginning today. 
• Here is a list of players the Blue Jackets are said to be interested in during free agency.
• In Dallas, the Stars signed Jere Lehtinen to a one-year deal.
• While they used to be big spenders, now the Stars have to search for bargains.
• Kings GM Dean Lombardi won’t be shy come tomorrow afternoon, writes Rich Hammond.  Who will the Kings sign?
• Wild center Mikko Koivu would love to play with his brother in Minnesota, but knows it isn’t a done deal quite yet.
• Has the Wild offered Marian Gaborik a new contract?
• On the Island, NYI may look to sign an insurance netminder in free agency this week.
• Mike Knuble and the Flyers are working hard to get a deal done, but it’s not as if Knuble doesn’t have other options.
• The Stanley Cup Champion Penguins are not expected to be very active in free agency.  Sticking with Pittsburgh, Rob Scuderi has been thinking about free agency, but is hasn’t consumed him.
• Mike Grier will be let go by the Sharks, writes David Pollak.
• Who needs free agency when your team is stacked with young talent like St. Louis?
• Don’t expect the Lightning to copy their strategy from last season’s free agency.
• Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star asks if the money be flowing this year for free agency?
• Damien Cox tells Leafs fans what he thinks the team needs to address this off-season.

Trade Rumors

• Did the Habs almost trade Carey Price and Andrei Markov for Vincent Lecavalier?
• Is Josh Harding too good not to trade for Minnesota?

Jay Bouwmeester Signing

• Jay Bouwmeester’s personality will fit in perfectly in Calgary, says a family friend of the Bouwmeesters.
• “I was encouraged by the commitment Calgary showed by acquiring me prior to July 1,” said Bouwmeester in a press release.

Scott Gomez Trade

• Scott Gomez has proven to be a reliable player over the years, writes Sean Gordon.
• “I had a list of teams where I didn’t want to go, but obviously Montreal wasn’t on that list,” said Scott Gomez.
• Trading Scott Gomez has given the Rangers a lot more flexibility than they had yesterday morning.
• The Rangers are hoping that Chris Higgins can get his scoring touch back on Broadway.

Dany Heatley Trade

• Dany Heatley has (at least before sleeping on it) rejected a trade to Edmonton.
• It appears that Heatley wants to go to NY instead of Edmonton. (Writer’s note: This is a complete joke.  If you demand a trade from a team, then you accept wherever they deal you.  Dany Heatley is deserving of all this negative press.)
• Bruce Garrioch writes that Heatley has put the screws to Ottawa again.

Everything Else 

• Jerry Moyes and Jim Balsillie think Jerry Reinsdorf’s offer to purchase the Coyotes doesn’t satisfy the team’s creditors.
• Bill Daly thinks the Coyotes can be a success in the desert.
• Brian Burke continues to follow through on his promise to make the Leafs a bigger team.
• Thrashers defenseman Ron Hainsey was invited to the US Olympic camp this summer.
• The Panthers have let the fans in on their joke, writes Dave Hyde.
• The Devils didn’t qualify Andy Greene, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to re-sign him.
• Washington has to take care of its own players before entering into free agency.