OFF THE GLASS: The Lightning started off the day Thursday announcing it will make a compliance buyout on Vincent Lecavalier. Since he'll get $32.67 million not to play for the Bolts, Lecavalier can choose his destination. The most obvious landing spot is Montreal. The Habs have always coveted Lecavalier but ownership nixed a deal a few years ago. He'd be a perfect fit because Montreal needs a player with his size. Former GM Brian Lawton had a deal to send Lecavalier to Montreal for Carey Price, Max Pacioretty, P.K. Subban and a No. 1 pick, but the Bolts owners wouldn't allow it to happen ... If the Rangers do exercise a buyout on centre Brad Richards, then expect the Lightning to try to bring him back on a two-year deal.

AROUND THE BOARDS: The Blues made a big move by signing defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk to a four-year, $17-million deal but St. Louis doesn't plan to be a big spender. The ownership group is running on a shoestring budget and the early playoff exit certainly didn't help. It's believed the Blues have been sniffing around to see what they can get for winger David Perron and centre T.J. Oshie. Both have term left on their deals and will fetch a strong return. St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong still has to get restricted free agent winger Chris Stewart and defenceman Alex Pietrangelo under contract ... The Sabres are certainly listening to offers for left winger Thomas Vanek. The issue is he's one of the few assets the club has but is one year from being a UFA. It certainly appears GM Darcy Regier is ready to see what he can get in return for Vanek and Miller, who is in a similar situation.

And that's just part of a much longer article full of trade talk.