from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

- A league executive on trade talk at this draft: “I don’t know if there’s more but there’s a lot. There was a lot last year and some of it (this time) because of next year’s expansion draft will change (things) a little bit.”

- While the Red Wings are trying to move goaltender Jimmy Howard, one of the top priorities is to try to get the contract of the retired Pavel Datsyuk off the books. That’s proving to be a big challenge because cap space is a valuable commodity even for those teams close to the $54 million floor. Two candidates to take on the $7.5-million cap hit are the Carolina Hurricanes and the Coyotes, but the they’ll only do so if GM Ken Holland sweetens the pot with a roster player or a high-end prospect plus a pick. If the Wings are realistic in their pursuit of Steven Stamkos then something has to happen.

- There has been no shortage of interest in Anaheim defenceman Cam Fowler since Sami Vatanen signed his extension because a lot of teams are in the market for blueliners. The belief is the Ducks are listening on the 24-year-old Fowler, who has two years left with a cap hit of $4 million per-season. GM Bob Murray wants a lot in return.

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added 8:43am, Eric Stephens of the OC Register has more on Fowler...