Quick Hits from around the NHL:
- Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom is still in the process of deciding whether he will be back on the ice next season or retire, the Detroit News reports.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs may make a strong push to land Columbus Blue Jackets star Rick Nash, and they may be able to put in a stronger offer than at the past trade deadline. The Toronto Star’s Damien Cox writes, “The playoff run of the AHL Marlies suggests this is a team that may indeed have more young assets than they have been given credit for, assets they hope might help land Nash.”
- Dennis Wideman is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and we can expect that he’ll get a hefty contract this offseason. The Washington Times’ Stephen Whyno writes, “After making the All-Star Game and piling up 11 goals and 35 assists, he figures to earn at least $4 million a year and likely much more.”
- The New York Post’s Larry Brooks has an interesting tidbit in his column. If the Montreal Canadiens end up hiring Patrick Roy, new Habs General Manager Marc Bergevin would “likely” inquire about impending restricted free agent Alexander Radulov, who played for Roy in the QMJHL.
- The Boston Bruins were in a tough goalie situation when they lost Tuukka Rask at the end of the season. So for some insurance, the Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson reports that they are “apparently sniffing around” Finnish goalie Petri Vehanen, who has been playing in the KHL.