NHL Rumor Wire – May 3rd, 2011

Buffalo Sabres are without a captain entering this off-season. Sabres waived captain Craig Rivet before trade deadline, Rivet was then claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets. So who is next? maybe Thomas Vanek…

From Paul Hamilton (WGR 550)

"That brings us to next season. What will Ruff do with the captaincy? Will it be captain of the month again? Will he not name a captain? Is the captain not here yet or is there a guy on this roster?For those of you that listen to me you know for over a year, I’ve been pushing Vanek as captain. He was much more vocal in the room when he got the “A”. This is a man that cares deeply for this team and how it performs. There is a chance it could go very, very wrong. Vanek could crack under all the responsibility and you might never get him back. On the other hand, the winger needs to be needed. Every time Ruff gives him more responsibility on the ice, he plays much better."

Defenseman Steve Montador has been with the Buffalo Sabres for 2 years now, and wants to finish his career in Buffalo.

From Bill Hoppe (Olean Times Herald)

"The 31-year-old Montador, an unrestricted free agent this summer, wants to continue what he’s helped build for two years.“My thought here is that I’m a Sabre,” Montador said last week at HSBC Arena as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers. “I’d love to be able to get something done and stick around for a long time and finish my career here. There’s lots of changes we all know about that are going on."

Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon is searching for a new head coach, after dismissing Peter DeBoer of coaching duties. Tallon has ties with the Chicago Blackhawks, but that doesn’t mean there is a potential candidate there.

From Harvey Fialkov(Sun Sentinel)

"In Blackhawks VP/GM Stan Bowman’s season wrapup he raved about former Panthers forward Michael Frolik, who came of age in their seven-game playoff loss to Vancouver and said the Panthers have not yet asked for permission to interview asst. coach Mike Haviland for the vacated head-coaching job.Panthers asst. GM Mike Santos told me recently that just because Panthers GM Dale Tallon has ties to many assistant coaches and former head coaches around the NHL doesn’t mean they are potential candidates."

Montreal Canadiens Mathieu Darche is a pending free agent, but he wants to stay in Montreal.

From Randy Phillips on Faceoff.com

"MONTREAL — Mathieu Darche smiled when asked about his uncertain future with the Montreal Canadiens.“It’s been 10 years that I’ve ended a season with a question mark over my head,” the 34-year-old forward said. “Obviously, I want to be back, but at this point it’s not entirely in my control."

New York Rangers general manager Glen Sather should be busy this summer. Rangers are linked in the possibility of trying to sign, Dallas Stars pending free agent Brad Richards.

From Spector

"It’s widely assumed general manager Glen Sather will be busy in this summer’s unrestricted free agent market, targeting Dallas Stars’ center Brad Richards, who is expected to be the biggest name available.In addition, Sather must also re-sign key restricted free agents like Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle, Mark Sauer and Matt Gilroy, as well as decide which of his UFAs (Bryan McCabe, Vaclav Prospal, Alex Frolov, Steve Eminger and Ruslan Fedotenko) to retain or replace."

The Atlanta Thrashers are up for sale, former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine is expected to partner up and buy the team. But, he better have $110 million dollars to buy the Thrashers.

From Mike Ozanian (Forbes.com)

"The group that owns the Atlanta Thrashers is looking for $110 million for the NHL club from investors that would include former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine."

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Maxime Talbot is a pending free agent, but he would like to stay in Pittsburgh. However, in an interview, Talbot says he might consider joining the Montreal Canadiens. Well, i cant read French or understand people who talk French, sorry… But maybe you can listen to it and let me know.

From CKAC Sports (Translated by Google)

"(CKAC Sports) – If it is just as Maxime Talbot, Quebec striker will remain with the Pittsburgh Penguins next season.Listen to the interview Maxime Talbot says that sports fans that he might consider coming player with the Canadiens."

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