from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

- There’s buzz out of Edmonton that if Milan Lucic reaches unrestricted free agency, ex-Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli will make a bid for his former left wing. It would be a curious pursuit. Chiarelli liked Lucic when they were in Boston. But Chiarelli understands that Lucic’s job description and career mileage (647 regular-season games, plus 101 in the playoffs) put him at risk for an earlier decline than other forwards. Chiarelli would have to outbid former colleague Jim Benning and the Canucks, a natural fit for the East Vancouver native. Edmonton’s priority is defense, not left wing. If the Oilers are serious about Lucic, it might mean Chiarelli deploys Taylor Hall as trade bait. The Oilers already have Hall, Patrick Maroon, and Benoit Pouliot riding on the left side.

- The Penguins are facing a decision on Justin Schultz, who will be restricted on July 1. Schultz is coming off a $3.9 million salary. Unless the Penguins can free up space by trading Marc-Andre Fleury, it will be hard for them to qualify Schultz at his $3.9 million number, considering his limited ice time in the playoffs. Schultz had been a regular healthy scratch. But he returned to the lineup after Trevor Daley broke his ankle against Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference finals. Because of their cap crunch, the Penguins may be forced not to tender Schultz, which would set him free. The Penguins acquired Schultz from Edmonton for a 2016 third-rounder.

- Two years ago, a longtime scout told me that Jack Eichel reminded him of Gordie Howe. I had two thoughts: First, Eichel must be really good. Second, my scout friend is cuckoo. Condolences to the Howe family.

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