from TSN,

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reported Thursday that the Canadiens are expected to let centre Phillip Danault to hit the open market on July 28, though the door has not been closed on him re-signing in Montreal after that date.

Danault, 28, spent this season playing out the last of a three-year, $9.25 million deal signed with the Canadiens in 2018. He had five goals and 24 points in 53 regular season games and added one goal and four points in 22 playoff games as the Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup Final.

In the meantime, the business at hand for the Montreal Canadiens during a very short off-season is Phillip Danault, their key pending unrestricted free agent, just coming off a terrific defensive performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"They made him an offer last off-season and it was rejected. My sense is that the Habs aren't planning a new offer at this time. They're going to let Danault go to free agency on July 28 but keep the door open for him to come back to them after he's heard from other teams, but it's a fluid situation....

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger said Thursday the Oilers have held positive contract talks with Smith, but the 39-year-old will have suitors if he remains unsigned in two weeks.

"Speaking of goaltenders, the Edmonton Oilers continue to negotiate with veteran goaltender Mike Smith, I'm told that the talks are positive," Dreger said. "I think we can all understand how busy Ken Holland has been, starting with the Duncan Keith trade from the Chicago Blackhawks.

"I'm told that they're negotiating to get things done. It's a slow-moving process and I'm also told that if Mike Smith becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 28, despite the fact that his best years likely being behind him, there are clubs with interest, so the Oilers have some work to do."

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