from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal,

- When the NHL salary cap comes down to $64.3 million next season, two of the Boston Bruins’ casualties could be defenceman Andrew Ference and winger Nathan Horton, both unrestricted free agents. They might let both walk, although they might try to get Horton for about $3 million a season for a few years.

- Calgary Flames observers watching Mike Cammalleri have been shaking their heads much of the season. He’s a shadow of the player he was the first time around in Calgary. He’s an expensive shadow at $7 million this year and next. Could they buy him out as one of their get-of-our-jail cards? The only saving grace is that Rene Bourque, coming off a concussion, hasn’t lit it up in that trade exchange in Montreal, either.

more hockey points...

Even more from Matheson here, including...

So if the Washington Capitals wanted Martin Erat, who was crushed into boards by Florida Panthers’ Erik Gudbranson Saturday, injuring his left leg, and were willing to take his contract ($4.5 million for the next two years), did Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini not call the Capitals to see if they wanted Ales Hemsky?

The veteran winger only has one year left on his contract and will earn $5 million in 2013-14.

Hemsky is Erat’s equal as a player — neither is a scorer, both are passing wingers and both are from the Czech Republic.

Would the Capitals have given up Filip Forsberg for Hemsky?

But Matheson isn't done just yet...