Are the Red Wings making progress with Marian Hossa's contract talks? What's the latest on Phil Kessel? Have the Devils re-signed Johnny Oduya? What's the latest on Jonas Gustavsson? Get the answers plus the latest on the Penguins and Blue Jackets. 

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reports the Edmonton Oilers had attempted to sign Hossa last summer but this year they lack the cap space to make a pitch for him.  

DETROIT NEWS/DETROIT FREE PRESS/MLIVE.COM: report the Wings have decided not to re-sign Ty Conklin and will bring up Jimmy Howard as backup for Chris Osgood.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: It would probably be for the best if the Wings cut Hossa loose and used the cap space to retain key players and perhaps look toward more affordable depth options. Yes, Hossa led the Wings during the regular season in goals but his vanishing act in the post-season once again raised questions over his performance in pressure situations. I don't think anyone's surprised that the Wings aren't re-upping Conklin, who shouldn't have any problem landing with another team, hopefully for long than a year. He's moved so much over the past four years his mailing address is "no fixed abode". 

BOSTON HERALD: Steve Conroy reports Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli could get a better idea of Phil Kessel's value if he waits until after July 1st to re-sign him, but he also runs the risk of Kessel receiving an offer sheet. Conroy speculates Kessel could be worth between $4-$5 million, and Chiarelli has roughly $6 million in cap space.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes the NY Rangers acquisition of hulking forward Brian Boyle from the Kings this weekend ruined their chances of possibly landing Phil Kessel via offer sheet as they dealt away their third round pick for Boyle, which the Rangers would need as part of the compensation to the Bruins. The Rangers have over $43 million committed to sixteen players for next season, which will increase when Ryan Callahan is re-signed.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: Kessel could indeed become a prime target for an offer sheet later this week. Chiarelli could end up gambling that the cap concerns of rival general managers might prevent them from pursuing Kessel. 

AFTONBOLADET: reports Johnny Oduya re-signed with the New Jersey Devils, but according to NORTHJERSEY.COM Devils GM Lou Lamoriello claimed no deal had been done.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: Hat tip to "geoff" for the Aftonbladet link. 

CBC.CA: reports Swedish goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has apparently narrowed his list of preferred NHL teams to two, apparently considering the Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars.

DENVER POST: Adrian Dater reports he's spoken with a Swedish journalist who claimed Gustavsson said all four teams (his list also included Colorado and San Jose) remain in play.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: My thanks to everyone who sent in these links. 

PITTSBURGHLIVE.COM: Rob Rossi recently reported Saturday Philadelphia Flyers forward Rob Knuble could be on the Penguins radar if they fail to re-sign Ruslan Fedotenko or Bill Guerin.  Rossi reported yesterday Penguins GM Ray Shero hopes to re-sign Fedotenko and Guerin and the club hasn't ruled out re-signing Petr Sykora.

COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Aaron Portzline reports it appears unlikely Manny Malholtra could re-sign with the Blue Jackets and will probably test the UFA market. 

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