Truth & Rumors > NHL

07:29 AM ET 06.19 | No, it wasn't a feline incident that left Brad Marchand with a scratch in the middle of his forehead -- it was a different sort of scrap with Blackhawks agitator Andrew Shaw after the two tangled in Game 3. Marchand and Shaw dropped the gloves, and though the tussle was brief, they both received five-minute major penalties. "Yeah, I've got a nice scratch on my forehead right there, a little claw mark. Like a kitty cat," Marchand said [Tuesday]. ... Marchand wasn't even offended that Shaw tried to get in a few blows after the pair tumbled to the ice along with a linesman trying to break things up. "Not really. That stuff happens," he said. "I've done that before. The eye gouge I didn't like."

Boston Herald

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07:28 AM ET 06.19 | This week sets up as a pivotal one in the for star blue-liner Kris Letang. Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero and agent Kent Hughes, who reps [Letang], are slated to meet here in Boston on Wednesday, a source told ESPN.com. ... The blue-liner has one year left on his deal, but Shero's usual M.O. is not to wait it out. Just look at the Jordan Staal situation a year ago. Once Staal, who had one year left on his deal, rejected a contract extension from the Penguins, and Shero dealt him quickly thereafter. It could be that Shero could get the ball rolling on trade talks if Letang rejects whatever offer might be coming from the Penguins' GM. And know this, I don't think Letang signs for any less than $7 million a year.

ESPN.com

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07:27 AM ET 06.19 | Bobby Ryan may yet get his chance to play for the Flyers. Two NHL sources not associated with the Flyers tell CSNPhilly.com that the Anaheim Ducks are quietly shopping Ryan a week before the NHL draft in Newark, N.J., and that the Flyers are keenly interested. Among the scenarios that have been discussed is the Flyers moving defenseman Braydon Coburn and their 11th overall pick in the draft. "Still a lot to be worked out," said one source. Ryan has two years left on his contract with a $5.1 million cap hit. Obviously, the Flyers would be helping themselves with a scoring winger, but they would also be creating another hole on [defense]. ... Then again, the franchise has talked on and off about the 26-year-old left wing for several years.

CSN Philly

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07:27 AM ET 06.19 | My, what a difference a few weeks makes. If the Avalanche keeps the top pick in the June 30 NHL draft, it won't take the formerly presumptive candidate, defenseman Seth Jones. After a week of internal meetings, Avalanche brass came to a conclusion: Jones won't be their pick. Instead, it could be any one of three forwards: Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin or Alexander Barkov. "If we do pick first, we're leaning more toward one of those three forwards," Avalanche executive vice president of hockey operations Joe Sakic told The Denver Post. The passing over of Jones no doubt will come as a shock to many Avs fans and NHL watchers. Jones, 18, is still ranked as the top-rated prospect available in next Sunday's draft on the lists of some scouting services.

The Denver Post

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07:26 AM ET 06.19 | When the Wild acquired Jason Pominville this past April, it seemed a buyout this offseason would be in store for veteran Dany Heatley. But on the same day the Wild traded for Pominville, Heatley tore the labrum in his left shoulder. He underwent surgery five days later and was given a four- to six-month recovery time. That timetable is significant because an injured player cannot be bought out. ... Cal Clutterbuck is a potential restricted free agent and might be on the trading block, as are defenseman Tom Gilbert and center Zenon Konopka. Gilbert, who had 13 points and was minus-11 in 43 games last year, also is a compliance buyout candidate. Buying him out for two-thirds of his $3 million salary would clear $4 million off the books.

Star Tribune

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