Truth & Rumors > NHL

02:53 PM ET 05.24 | According to a report and multiple sources, the Phoenix Coyotes are close to giving general manager Don Maloney a new contract, as told to Fox Sports Arizona. This is good news for Coyotes fans because Maloney has brought the team into prominence in three seasons also dealing with the lowest payroll. Another reason why this is good news because Maloney's contract was set to expire on June 30th. According to Don Maloney, he stated that the Coyotes finished with the lowest payroll in the Western Conference which is $49 million and the second lowest in the NHL, with only the New York Islanders spending less and making the playoffs this season. With Maloney now in the fold, the NHL can now move onto other things with this franchise as the league is the team's current owner. Also sources say that head coach Dave Tippett is next to work out a deal. Tippett's contract also expires on June 30th.

Heat Waved

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02:51 PM ET 05.24 | Rumors flew on Friday that Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk had agreed to sign with the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for the 2013-14 season. This, despite Datsyuk being under contract with Detroit for one more season. The Russian forward's agent denied the report when asked about it. ???It's all B.S. rumors, you can't believe it,'' said Gary Gerstein, who represents Datsyuk. ???Pavel can't talk to anybody, he's under contract with the Red Wings for one more year. It's stupid rumors, not from me, not from Pavel. ???Nobody is talking to any Russian team. We have rules, we'll talk with (Red Wings GM) Kenny Holland after the playoffs. Everything's on hold right now because of the playoffs. We have time with Pavel. We're not in a hurry.'' Datsyuk is coming off another solid season with the Red Wings, with 15 goals and 34 assists. His 49 points were good for 10th-best in the National Hockey League.

Mlive

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02:41 PM ET 05.24 | The Western Conference Semifinal series between the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings has been heavy hockey. It has officially gotten heavy off the ice, as well. It all began with Sharks forward TJ Galiardi accusing Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick of engaging in "a little embellishment." The Sharks believed that Quick had tried to dive to draw a goalie interference penalty in Games 3 and 4. That set off Los Angeles defenseman Drew Doughty, who had words for Galiardi before the Kings' Game 5 victory. "It's not even playoff talk," Doughty said. "It's just funny to even hear that from a guy who is the biggest diver on their team. Like it's just ridiculous he can even say that, to be honest." He didn't let up from there. "But I don't want to get involved in that stuff," he continued. "I don't think you have to watch many [Sharks games]. You can just watch three of his shifts and you'll see how many times he dives. There's been times where even the refs are telling him, just get up, because he's diving so often." Quick stopped 24 shots, and the Kings took a 3-2 series lead over the sharks. Game 6 is on Saturday in San Jose.

LA Times

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02:15 PM ET 05.24 | Las Vegas will once again host the National Hockey League's award show in 2014, but due to the lockout, we will see an odd arrangement for the ceremonies this season. The 2013 NHL Awards will take place over two nights in the city hosting Games 1 and 2 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final. Part one of the show will take place the day before Game 2 of the Final and feature the presentation of the less heralded trophies (Masterton Trophy, Selke Trophy, Adams Award, King Clancy Trophy, Lady Byng Trophy, Mark Messier Leadership Award, NHL Foundation Player Award and the NHL GM of the Year Award). The NHL Network will produce the ceremony. Part two will take place an hour prior to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, and feature more of the prime, important awards given out (Calder Trophy, Hart Trophy, Norris Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award and Vezina Trophy). NBC and CBC will co-produce the show. The NHL Awards had been in Las Vegas since 2008. The lockout, however, forced the NHL to improvise, as it had little time between the end of the Stanley Cup Final, the NHL Draft and the start of free agency. As previously mentioned, the NHL Awards return to Vegas in 2014.

NHL

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01:57 PM ET 05.24 | Restricted free agent Sergei Bobrovsky stands to become a wealthy man. A day after Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen stated that the organization planned to retain Bobrovsky, even in the event of an offersheet, a report surfaced stating that SKA St. Petersburg of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League plans to offer the free agent a lucrative contract. Coming off a breakout season (albeit lockout shortened), Bobrovsky was named as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. In the minds of many, he is the shoe-in favorite to win the award. Combine this with the potential of an offer sheet, as well as a lucrative offer from the KHL and you have an ideal bargaining chip to push for a contract of your choosing.

Puck Daddy

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