Sport-scan daily brief

OFF THE GLASS

As mentioned earlier this week, the Flyers are listening to offers for defenceman Braydon Cobourn. There is talk the Anaheim Ducks asked for Cobourn and the No. 1 pick in exchange for forward Bobby Ryan. The Oilers have emerged as a top trade target because they want help on the back end right away could use Cobourn. Don't forget Edmonton GM Craig MacTavish and Flyers GM Paul Holmgren are both trying to shake up their teams ... Minnesota Wild left wing Pierre-Marc Bouchard informed the club he will test the free agent market. He had a cap hit of $4.08 million last season.

THIS N' THAT

Speaking of the Wild, expect the club to move left wing Cal Clutterbuck. He has been offered up to every team because his role has diminished in Minny and the club needs to shed cash. He is an RFA who made $1.4 million last season ... The Florida Panthers haven't given up hope on signing UFA centre Stephen Weiss. GM Dale Tallon hopes to hold more talks with his camp but confirmed Saturday he has interest in bought out Tampa centre Vinny Lecavalier along with Montreal GM Marc Bergevin. As many as 15 teams have touched based with Lecavalier, who made his way to Manhattan to meet with potential teams. Dallas GM Jim Nill has been aggressive in his pursuit of Lecavalier because he would help the club.

AROUND THE BOARDS

Canucks GM Mike Gillis confirmed he has had calls about goalie Cory Schneider. "You have to listen," said Gillis. Many believe the team that called was Edmonton, but whether Gillis would actually make that moves remains a big question mark. This comes at a time when Vancouver is trying to either deal goalie Roberto Luongo or possibly buy him in the next couple of days. Gilllis is also trying to move defenceman Keith Ballard but hasn't had any luck. "We've had lots of calls and discussions we'll see where it goes," said Gillis ... The Habs may move the rights of UFA left winger Michael Ryder before Friday. They've told forward Colby Armstrong he won't be back.

RUMOURS DU JOUR

Once the dust has settled in Edmonton expect them to deal Ales Hemsky and buyout Shawn Horcoff. The club has given Horcoff permission to make his own deal and there isn't a lot of interest ... The name of Bruins centre Tyler Seguin surfaced on the trade market with talk the Bolts were interested. He hasn't been shopped to every team because not many had heard about it. Seguin's a young player, but Boston will have cap issues to deal with after getting centre Patrice Bergeron and goalie Tuukka Rask signed.

Have a nice Sunday and enjoy the draft.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.30.2013

683050 Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray continues to try to move up from No. 17 at NHL entry draft in New Jersey

By Bruce Garrioch,Ottawa Sun

First posted: Saturday, June 29, 2013 10:34 PM EDT | Updated: Saturday, June 29, 2013 10:41 PM EDT

NEW YORK - Bryan Murray is trying desperately to play Let's Make a Deal on Broadway.

It might take a Miracle on 34th Street for that to happen.

With the NHL entry draft set for 3 p.m. Sunday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., the Senators GM made a proposal to two teams to see if he could make a move into the top 10 from the No. 17 position.

"Both teams said they would consider it," said Murray Saturday afternoon at the club's Manhattan hotel. "Neither one of them has called me back."

The Senators are certain they'll get a good prospect who can play if they don't move up from their current spot, but Bryan Murray, assistant GM Tim Murray and player personnel director Pierre Dorion would love to move higher.

Yes, the Colorado Avalanche contacted the Senators to see if there was an interest in the No. 1 pick. The asking price was so high there weren't any real discussions, but the possibility always exists something could happen on the floor.

"To move up high in the draft is a hard thing to do," said Tim Murray. "Your scouts prepare all year, they've made their lists, they're ready to pick and it's going to be a big price.

"It could happen (Sunday). Bryan could come and say, 'They want this player off our team and the No. 17 pick,' then we'll make the call at the table and decide if it's the right choice. At this point, the prices have been extremely high."

The Senators are continuing to discuss all possible scenarios because the opportunity to move up could present itself in the middle of the first round. That's how it played out when Ottawa selected Erik Karlsson at No. 15 in 2008.

Knowing the Anaheim Ducks were ready to take Karlsson with the No. 17 selection in the draft held at Scotiabank Place, Bryan Murray was urged by Dorion to move up before the player the club wanted was gone.

Nashville Predators GM David Poile accepted an offer to move back to the No. 18 spot in exchange for that pick and a third rounder in 2009. It ended up being one of the best moves ever made by the team, but it wasn't reality until the last minute.

"Bryan came to me and asked me how much I really liked Karlsson and I said there was no doubt I'd move up to take him," said Dorion.

"It's tough because all scouts fall in love with their list and their picks and whatever. I give so much credit to Bryan. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have Karlsson now because he moved up to make that deal."

Dorion said he's confident if the Senators stay at No. 17, they will come away with a strong prospect.

"We're just going to get a good player like we've done in the past few years," said Dorion. "We just hope to get someone that's going to come in and play eventually.

"Could there be a surprise and someone comes in to challenge for a spot in the lineup? You never say no, but most likely we're looking at someone who will play next year or two years from now."

That's partially why Bryan Murray has been trying to use this draft to find a Top 6 forward that can help immediately.

The Senators have held talks with the Anaheim Ducks about winger Bobby Ryan, but the asking price is such that it would be detrimental to the team to make the deal. The Ducks are looking for a high-end defenceman in return for Ryan.

If Murray isn't able to get a scoring winger here, he could resume discussions when he gets back to Ottawa Monday or wait until players shop themselves around on the unrestricted free agent market starting Friday at noon.

"We're still going to explore what's available to us to upgrade our team," said Murray. "We hope, at some point in time through the summer, that we can maybe make a acquisition that would help."

All the draft talk can finally turn to action Sunday.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.30.2013

683051 Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson will get consideration to be Team USA netminder at Olympics

By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun

First posted: Saturday, June 29, 2013 12:36 PM EDT | Updated: Saturday, June 29, 2013 12:55 PM EDT

NEW YORK - Craig Anderson could get a shot at gold at the Olympics in Sochi next February.

The NHL won’t confirm its participation in the Winter Games until Tuesday, but Team USA named its Olympic staff during a press conference Saturday on Broadway and GM David Poile confirmed to the Sun that Anderson is in the mix.

Poile said the Senators' top goalie will be in a group of six players - it includes Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles), Cory Schneider (Vancouver), Ryan Miller (Buffalo) and Jimmy Howard (Detroit) - that will get consideration.

Though there has been much consternation over the way Canadian goalies are playing, the Americans feel that netminding will be one of their strengths. Anderson was one of the NHL’s top goalies last season.

“We’ve got a really good group,” said Poile. “We’ve got about six guys that we’ve talked about that are very deserving. You have to have goaltending to be successful. Our goaltending was good back in Vancouver.

“We’ve got some goalies that played really well last year. We certainly take into consideration the body of work, but the goalies certainly have to be playing well in the first three months (of the season).”

Poile said there are going to be a lot of factors that go into the selection of the goalie, but you have to think it would help Anderson if he picked up where he left off last season.

“I know who the best goaltenders are. There could be circumstances like poor play, outstanding play, injuries and stuff that could affect it,” said Poile.

“We’re going to pick three goaltenders and there’s going to be a chemistry situation. Back in 2010, we had a really good situation with (Tim) Thomas, Miller and Quick as the third goalie. We all have to talk about all those different situations.

"The bottom line is we want the best goaltenders.”

Expect Anderson to get invited to Team USA’s orientation camp in August in Washington.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.30.2013

683052 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers looking to draft big-shooting defenseman

Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: Sunday, June 30, 2013, 3:01 AM

NEWARK, N.J. - The Flyers would love to select bruising defenseman Darnell Nurse in the first round of Sunday's NHL draft in Newark, but unless they trade up, he probably won't be there when they make the 11th overall pick.

Rasmus Ristolainen might be a nice consolation prize.

The Finnish defenseman has a lot going for him. He's a righthanded shooter, has imposing size (6-foot-4, 207 pounds), and is regarded as a strong player at both ends of the ice.

Oh, and he plays a physical, edgy style, an uncommon trait for most European players.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said Ristolainen, 18, might be NHL-ready.

"He looks like a man right now compared to some of the kids you see," Holmgren said.

Ristolainen, No. 4 on Central Scouting's list of draft-eligible European skaters, logged more than 25 minutes a game last season while playing for Finland's top league.

Other than Seth Jones, Holmgren said, Ristolainen is "probably the most ready [defenseman] to jump right in" and play in the NHL. "Offensively, he looks like a good, solid prospect with a big shot."

Scouts are divided as to whether Ristolainen will be there when the Flyers pick at No. 11.

The Flyers have six picks in the seven-round draft; they dealt their fourth-rounder to Los Angeles for Simon Gagne.

Overall, the Flyers will select 11th, 41st, 72d, 132d, 162d, and 192d. They are exploring moving up in the draft, and may dangle defenseman Braydon Coburn and winger Matt Read in a deal.

Holmgren said there would be some draft surprises.

"You have a lot of scenarios that you run through and mock drafts that you run through. . . . But I guarantee there's going to be at least one player that's taken before we pick that we didn't think would go there," Holmgren said. "And all of a sudden, it throws things into a little bit of a change of dynamic at the time."

Among the Flyers' biggest needs: landing a big, physical defenseman, and getting faster on the front line.

If the Flyers draft a defenseman in the first round - Nurse, Ristolaimen, Ryan Pulock, and Nikita Zadorov are on their radar - they will be more patient with their development, Holmgren said.

Hunter Shinkaruk, a center/left winger, is among the speedy forwards who may be available at No. 11.

Colorado has the first overall pick and is expected to select center Nathan MacKinnon, who had 75 points in 44 games for Halifax of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He seemingly passed Jones with his MVP performance in the Memorial Cup, during which he had 13 points and a hat trick in the title game.

More than 20 prospects have ties to current or former NHL players, including highly touted center Max Domi, whose father, Tie, was a feisty player who was selected 27th overall by Toronto in 1988 and played across 16 seasons in the league.

NHL Draft Forecast

Projections for the first half of Sunday's first round:

Pick Team Player Pos.

1 Colorado Nathan MacKinnon C

The determined MacKinnon has all the tools, but will the Avs regret passing on Seth Jones?

2 Florida Seth Jones D

The top-rated overall player, according to Central Scouting, Jones will develop into a franchise player.

3 Tampa Bay Jonathan Drouin LW

Regarded as the draft's best playmaker, he will be setting up Steven Stamkos for many years to come.

4 Nashville Aleksander Barkov C

Viewed as a can't-miss prospect, he is the top-rated European player in the draft.

5 Carolina Sean Monahan C

Respected for his two-way play, Monahan had 31 goals and 78 points in 58 OHL games last season.

6 Calgary Valeri Nichushkin RW

The rugged, 6-foot-4, 202-pound Russian has a nose for the net and, as a 17-year-old, played in the KHL.

7 Edmonton Darnell Nurse D

The Flyers would like to move up and grab this player, who has been compared to a young Shea Weber.

8 Buffalo Elias Lindholm C

He starred in Sweden's top pro league last season, and he would bolster the Sabres' sad-sack offense.

9 New Jersey Hunter Shinkaruk C/LW

He would replace some of the offense the Devils lost when Zach Parise left for free agency last summer.

10 Dallas Ryan Pulock D

Another defenseman who is high on the Flyers' radar, Pulock has a 100-m.p.h. tracer of a slapshot.

11 FLYERS Rasmus Ristolainen D

The righthanded-shooting Finn plays with a nasty edge and is a two-way performer who could be NHL-ready right away.

12 Phoenix Max Domi C/LW

The little guy plays with quickness and power and will be a scorer, not a tough guy like his father, Tie.

13 Winnipeg Nikita Zadorov D

He moves surprisingly well for his size (6-5, 228) and will be an intimidating player on defense.

14 Columbus Sam Morin D

Another in a long list of quality defensemen in the draft, the 6-6 Morin is raw but talented.

15 N.Y. Islanders Zach Fucale G

The top goalie in the draft, Fucale will be strongly considered by several teams, including the Devils and Flyers.

Contact Sam Carchidi at scarchidi@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter @BroadStBull.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.30.2013

683053 Philadelphia Flyers

Inside the Flyers: Long-term deal with Giroux should make Flyers wary

Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Sports Writer

Posted: Sunday, June 30, 2013, 1:09 AM

NEWARK, N.J. - The Flyers are getting closer to signing star center Claude Giroux to a long-term contract. That would seem to be a good thing, but . . .

Going back to Chris Gratton and continuing through Ilya Bryzgalov, the Flyers have had their troubles with long-term deals.

Sometimes, it has been an injury that has caused a long-term deal to go haywire. Sometimes it has been alleged off-ice distractions, and sometimes it has just been a bad signing.

Consider the following:

Chris Gratton: Five years, $16.5 million, including a $9 million signing bonus.

He signed in 1997, when he was one of the NHL's highest-paid players. The big center was a bust. He had a disappointing 11/2-year stint with the Flyers before being traded back to Tampa Bay in 1998.

John LeClair: Five years, $45 million, signed in 2001.

A onetime superstar, LeClair saw his production dip dramatically after he signed, and he was bought out before the deal expired, helping the Flyers meet the new salary-cap requirements.

Danny Briere: Eight years, $52 million, signed in 2007.

Briere, one of the classiest players in franchise history, spent six seasons in Philadelphia after signing. He scored 31 goals in his first season with the Flyers, helping them reach the conference finals after having the league's worst record the previous season. Briere was brilliant in the playoffs, especially in 2010, when he scored 30 points and led an improbable charge to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Hindered by injuries, Briere was ineffective the last two seasons and the Flyers are buying out the last two years of his deal, wiping out an annual $6.5 million cap hit.

Mike Richards: 12-year extension, $69 million, signed in 2007.

The gritty Richards had several highly productive seasons with the Flyers before they traded him to Los Angeles in 2011. They have maintained they dealt their captain simply because of the return (Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn) they received. It's also possible the trade was made because the Flyers did not like Richards' off-ice lifestyle.

Richards was traded nine years before his contract with the Flyers would have expired after the 2019-20 season.

Jeff Carter: 11-year extension, $58 million, signed in 2010.

A stunned Carter was traded seven months after signing his big-bucks contract. He averaged 38 goals per season in his last three years with the Flyers.

As with Richards, the Flyers' party line for dealing Carter was this: It was all about the return - Jake Voracek and draft picks that turned into Sean Coutuier and Nick Cousins. You can believe that, or you can refer to the Richards theory.

Carter and Richards, of course, both won Stanley Cup rings with the Jonathan Quick-led Kings in 2012.

Chris Pronger: Seven-year extension, $34.9 million, signed in 2009.

With the snarling, crease-clearing Pronger in the lineup, the Flyers had an identity - and they went to the Stanley Cup Finals in his first season with the club. But the team seemed to lose its edge after Pronger went down with a career-ending concussion in 2011.

Because of the injury, Pronger was able to play only two-plus seasons with the Flyers, who acquired him from Anaheim for a pair of No. 1 picks, Joffrey Lupul, and Luca Sbisa at the 2009 draft.

Ilya Bryzgalov: Nine years, $51 million, signed in 2011.

Financially, the signing was a Bryzaster. Bryzgalov was paid like a star, but his mediocre play (2.61 goals-against average, .905 save percentage) caused the Flyers to cut ties two years into the deal. The Flyers announced Tuesday that they were buying out the remaining seven years of his contract.

When the checks stop coming, Bryzgalov will have been paid a little more than $39 million for his two years in Philadelphia.

Giroux's agent is talking with general manager Paul Holmgren about a long-term deal. The new collective bargaining agreement limits the length of contracts to a maximum of eight years (seven if it's a player who is new to the team).

The Flyers hope Giroux will fall into the same category as Kimmo Timonen, a player who signed a long-term deal (six years, $37.8 million, signed in 2007) and was actually productive.

In Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.30.2013

683054 Philadelphia Flyers

Source: Flyers eye Lecavalier

POSTED: Saturday, June 29, 2013, 8:26 PM

Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer

The Flyers are in the hunt for 6-foot-4, 208-pound veteran center Vinny Lecavalier, an NHL source confirmed.

In fact, Flyers officials met with the unrestricted free agent on Saturday. Several teams are trying to lure him. Free agents can sign on Friday.

Lecavalier is still productive after all these years. He is a terrific playmaker and would provide the Flyers with some needed size and physicality at center.

A four-time all-star, Lecavalier, 33, had 10 goals and 32 points in 39 games with Tampa Bay this season. Lecavalier's contract was bought out by the Lightning a few days ago. He had over $32 million left on a deal that ran through 2019-20.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.30.2013

683055 Philadelphia Flyers

Our mock NHL draft: Flyers select Ristolainen

POSTED: Saturday, June 29, 2013, 10:31 AM

Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer

So who will the Flyers select in the first round of Sunday's NHL draft in Newark?

Here are our projections for the first half of theopening round, including the Flyers’ pick at No. 11:

Pick Team Player Pos.

1. Colorado Nathan MacKinnon C

Comment: The determined MacKinnon has all the tools, but will the Avs regret passing on Seth Jones?

2. Florida Seth Jones D

Comment: The top-rated overall player according to Central Scouting, Jones will step right into the Panthers’ lineup and develop into a franchise player.

3. Tampa Bay Jonathan Drouin LW

Comment: Regarded as the draft’s best playmaker, he will be setting up Steven Stamkos for many years to come.

4. Nashville Aleksander Barkov C

Comment: Viewed as a can’t-miss prospect, he is the top-rated European player in the draft.

5. Carolina Sean Monahan C

Comment: Respected for his two-way play, Monahan had 31 goals and 78 points in 58 OHL games last season.

6. Calgary Valeri Nichushkin RW

Comment: The rugged, 6-4, 202-pound Russian has a nose for the net and, as a 17-year-old, played in the KHL.

7. Edmonton Darnell Nurse D

Comment: The Flyers would like to move up in the draft and grab Donovan McNabb’s nephew, a player who has been compared to a young Shea Weber.

8. Buffalo Elias Lindholm C

Comment: He starred in Sweden’s top pro league last season and he would bolster the Sabres’ sad-sack offense.

9. New Jersey Hunter Shinkaruk C/LW

Comment: He would replace some of the offense the Devils lost when Zach Parise left Newark for free agency last summer.

10. Dallas Ryan Pulock D

Comment: Another defenseman who is high on the Flyers’ radar, Pulock has a 100 m.p.h. tracer of a slapshot.

11. FLYERS Rasmus Ristolainen D

Comment: The RH-shooting Finn plays with a nasty edge and is a solid two-way performer who could be NHL-ready.

12. Phoenix Max Domi C/LW

Comment: The little guy plays with quickness and power and will be a scorer, not a tough guy like his dad, Tie.

13. Winnipeg Nikita Zadorov D

Comment: He moves surprisingly well for his size (6-5, 228) and will be an intimidating player on D.

14. Columbus Sam Morin D

Comment: Another in a long list of quality D-men in the draft, the 6-6 Morin is raw but talented.

15. NY Islanders Zach Fucale G

Comment: The top goalie in the draft, Fucale will be strongly considered by several teams, including the Devils and Flyers.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.30.2013

683056 Philadelphia Flyers

Lessons to be learned from Bryzgalov mistake

Posted: Saturday, June 29, 2013 5:49 pm

Wayne Fish Staff writer

Posted on June 29, 2013

NEWARK – So, class, what lessons did we learn by observing the Great Bryzgalov Experiment these past two years?

/n + **Buyer beware.** If a team like the Flyers is weak on goaltending, don’t go shopping in the high-priced stores. There are plenty of bargains out there.

/n + **Do some background checks.** Surely Ilya Bryzgalov showed some signs of wacky behavior in Anaheim and Phoenix before arriving in Philadelphia. Ask around first.

/n + **Think North American.** The Flyers have had virtually no long-term success with European netminders, from Tommy Soderstrom to Roman Cechmanek to Antero Niittymaki. Not sure why, but let’s stick with the Bernie Parent and Ron Hextall types, eh?

/n + **Save your money for other positions.** Spending millions on goalies doesn’t always translate into success. Think the last two Blackhawk goalies – Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford -- will wind up in the Hall of Fame? Boston’s Tim Thomas? Cups have been won by just-above-average guys like J.S. Giguere, Cam Ward and Marc-Andre Fleury. No need to offer up nine-year, $51-million contracts when hardly anyone else around the NHL is even interested.

That pretty much sums up what went wrong with the decision to go with the Mad Russian. Question is, will the Flyers resist the temptation to go after another expensive trinket like a Roberto Luongo (depending on his availability) at a cap hit of $5.3 million or maybe go with Steve Mason as a starter and grab a veteran such as Jose Theodore as a backup?