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NATIONAL POST: Michael Traikos reports Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke is no fan of the loophole in the CBA which allows teams to pay top stars heavily front-loaded, long-term contracts as a means of achieving a lower salary cap hit, calling them "back-diving deals" which he considers "unfair", against logic and defeats the purpose of the CBA.

DETROIT FREE PRESS: Helene St. James reports Red Wings GM Ken Holland disagrees, saying they're legal under the terms of the CBA and that if the grievance filed by the NHLPA in favor of Ilya Kovalchuk's deal goes in favor of the NHL it won't have any impact upon the Wings similar deals for Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen.

DELAWARE COUNTY TIMES: Anthony SanFilippo reports the Kovalchuk saga is another black eye for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, noting the NHL got the salary cap it claimed it needed at the cost of losing an entire season only to see teams find a loophole for "cheat contracts" which the league has had no choice but to approve.

THE GLOBE & MAIL: James Mirtle reports on the high number of unrestricted free agent still remaining in this summer's market, noting players agents believe once the Kovalchuk saga is resolved their clients could get a second look from teams waiting out the market.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS/NY TIMES: report New Jersey Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek expects the NHL and NHLPA to reach a quick resolution to Ilya Kovalchuk's contract situation. The PA earlier this week filed a grievance on Kovalchuk's behalf after the league rejected his 17-year, $102 million contract with the Devils citing salary cap circumvention. It's believed the two sides are moving quickly toward finding an arbiter to hear the case.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the addition yesterday of winger Alex Frolov gives the Rangers approximately $6.7 million of available summer time cap space with which to re-sign defenseman Marc Staal and perhaps sign another defenseman. Brooks notes once defenseman Wade Redden and his $6.5 million is demoted and the disposition of Donald Brashear's salary is resolved the Rangers could go into next season with between $6.5 million -$8 million of cap space.

LOS ANGELES TIMES; Helene Elliott reports Kings GM Dean Lombardi considers Alexei Ponikarovsky, whom Lombardi signed to a one-year contract yesterday, as a replacement for the departed Alex Frolov. Lombardi said he's not done yet as he'd like to find a defenseman to replace Sean O'Donnell and Randy Jones, but could look to within his organization first.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Chris Kuc reports it appears unlikely the Blackhawks and goalie Antti Niemi will reach an agreement on a deal before his arbitration hearing Thursday. Niemi's believed seeking between $3-$4 million whilst the 'Hawks would prefer something around $2 million per season.

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Allen Panzeri reports the clock is also ticking for the Senators and their negotiations with forward Peter Regin. His arbitration hearing is slated for this coming Friday. Once Regin's is settled one way or the other the Senators will next have to deal with blueliner Chris Campoli, whose hearing is scheduled for August 4th.

TAMPABAY.COM: Damian Cristodero reports Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said he wants to get forward Steve Downie, a restricted free agent who has not filed for arbitration, under contract as soon as possible.

PORTAGEONLINE.COM: recently reported former Philadelphia Flyers forward Arron Asham has received some interest from Vancouver and Edmonton but Philadelphia remains his first choice.

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DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Mike Heika reports the Stars want to keep Brad Richards and he wants to stay but it remains to be seen if a deal will be worked out to keep him there. Richards is in the final year of his contract paying him $7.8 million and the Stars would likely wish to re-sign him to a more affordable deal.

NESN.COM: Douglas Flynn reports veteran winger Michael Ryder could become the odd man out if the Boston Bruins decide to accept the arbitration award for winger Blake Wheeler. The club needs to dump salary if they're to retain Wheeler and sign Tyler Seguin. GM Peter Chiarelli claimed back in June he wouldn't buy out Ryder but Flynn wonders if he might reconsider.

THE TENNESSEAN: Bryan Mullen reports contract talks between the Predators and the agent for RFA forward Patric Hornqvist are "ongoing and constructive". Three potential comparables could be the Islanders' Matt Moulson, the Blues David Perron and the Canucks Mason Raymond.

THE GLOBE & MAIL: James Mirtle published a comprehensive list of currently unsigned unrestricted and restricted free agents.

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CALGARY HERALD/CALGARY SUN: report not to expect a last-minute deal between the Calgary Flames and defenseman Ian White prior to his arbitration hearing on Friday. Both sides are preparing to go through the arbitration process.

TORONTO SUN: Dave Fuller reports the Columbus Blue Jackets might no longer be a potential destination for Leafs blueliner Tomas Kaberle. The Jackets re-signed defenseman Anton Stralman yesterday.

COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Aaron Portzline reports Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson could add to his blueline corps. Portzline noted Howson has had trade talks with two clubs believed shopping defenseman, Toronto (Kaberle) and Vancouver (Kevin Bieksa).

DALLAS MORNING NEWS; Mike Heika reports Marty Turco's agent Kurt Overhardt said the reason his client is still unsigned isn't the money but rather finding the right fit with a winning team. Apparently it's down to three teams although Overhardt wouldn't say which three. Heika noted the Philadelphia Flyers reportedly had talks with Turco late last month and the Chicago Blackhawks might be in the market if they walk away from Antti Niemi's arbitration award.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Adam L. Jahns reports arbitration appears likely for Blackhawks goalie Antti Niemi. His hearing is slated for Friday.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators GM Bryan Murray expects to go to arbitration with forward Peter Regin and defenseman Chris Compoli as contract talks have stalled.

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NESN.COM: Douglas Flynn reports a rumor which had the Boston Bruins expressing interest in former Bruin winger Bill Guerin has been refuted.

MLIVE.COM: George James Malik on Wednesday evening a conflicting school of thought on former Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano, with Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune suggesting Modano has returned to his "Red Wings or retirement" stance while Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News suggests Modano will probably wait until August and see what develops.

ESPN.COM: Scott Burnside wonders if the Chicago Blackhawks might walk away from goalie Antti Niemi's salary award if his case as expected goes to arbitration. He noted speculation suggesting the 'Hawks could agree to accept the arbiter's award and try to trade Niemi, pointing out however the market for goalies is currently soft and given the Blackhawks cap woes they're likely to be squeezed by rival teams hoping to pry another player, draft pick or prospect away from them. Burnside believes if the Blackhawks walk away from the arbiter's decision they'll try to sign a UFA goalie like Marty Turco or Jose Theodore.

NHL.COM: Dan Rosen published a list of currently unsigned restricted free agents and wondered if one of them might get an offer sheet. The list includes Montreal's Carey Price, Anaheim's Bobby Ryan, St. Louis' Erik Johnson, NY Rangers' Marc Staal, Tampa Bay's Steve Downie, Nashville's Patric Hornqvist, Colorado's Chris Stewart, Dallas' James Neal, San Jose's Devin Setoguchi, Atlanta's Bryan Little, Colorado's Peter Mueller, Edmonton's Sam Gagner and Atlanta's Niclas Bergfors.

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Noch nicht auf einen neuen Vertrag konnten sich die Chicago Blackhawks und ihr Meistergoalie Antti Niemi einigen. Deshalb muss jetzt das Schiedsgericht über seinen Status entscheiden. Am Donnerstag fand eine Anhörung statt, mit einer Entscheidung wird am Samstag gerechnet. Dann haben die Blackhawks 48 Stunden Zeit, den Vertrag zu akzeptieren.

www.eishockeynews.de

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SPORTING NEWS: Craig Custance reports the general managers of the San Jose Sharks and Boston Bruins would like to get their respective franchise players (Joe Thornton and Zdeno Chara) re-signed before they become eligible for UFA status next summer. Sharks GM Doug Wilson is not a fan of long-term deals like that of Ilya Kovalchuk's, noting he has no contracts longer than four years. Chara's agent meanwhile admitted to having preliminary talks with the Bruins.

TSN.CA: also reported on Wilson's desire to retain Thornton as well as noting Wilson re-signed defenseman Jason Demers to a two-year contract worth $1.25 million per season. He's also close to re-signing RFA forward Devin Setoguchi to a one-year contract.

BOSTON GLOBE: Fluto Shinzawa reports it's now up to the Boston Bruins to accept or reject Blake Wheeler's arbiter-awarded contract of one-year, $2.2 million. The club is expected to accept the award, which would push payroll to over $60 million. To free up cap space they'll likely start the season with Marco Sturm on LTIR while he recovers from a knee injury, and if Tyler Seguin makes the cut could demote Michael Ryder and his $4 million salary.

BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington reports there doesn't appear to be many irons left in the fire for the Sabres. GM Darcy Regier is putting together his minor league roster and toward training camp, leading Harrington to suggest it doesn't sound like Lee Stempniak, Kevin Bieksa, Tomas Kaberle or anyone new is going to be joining the club.

TAMPABAY.COM: Damian Cristodero reports Lightning GM Steve Yzerman might add another defenseman and wondered if it'll be via free agency or by bringing back Paul Ranger, who missed most of last season to undisclosed personal reasons.

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TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reports Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has only two weeks left to trade defenseman Tomas Kaberle prior to his "no-trade" clause going back into effect but he remains unhurried about doing so. Hornby suggested Burke was waiting for Ilya Kovalchuk's arbitration hearing to be settled next week in hopes frustrated suitors of Kovalchuk would turn their attention upon Kaberle. If Burke can't land a top-six forward by moving Kaberle he could go a different route, particularly if the asking price for Boston centre Marc Savard should drop.

NATIONAL POST (via MONTREAL GAZETTE): Michael Traikos reports logic dictates a Kaberle trade could be imminent, but Burke claims part of the reason for the delay is the Kovalchuk situation, as teams like the Kings, Devils and Ducks are waiting for that to be settle prior to making moves.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES/CHICAGO TRIBUNE/CHICAGO DAILY HERALD: reported the status of Blackhawks goalie Antti Niemi remains up in the air following his arbitration hearing yesterday in Toronto. The Blackhawks now await the arbiter's decision and it's believed if it's too expensive they could walk away from the arbiter's decision or either agree to the award and then trade Niemi. Once the arbiter's decision is made the Blackhawks have 48 hours to reach a decision. If they reject the award they could turn their attention toward the UFA market and either Marty Turco or Jose Theodore.

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NORTHJERSEY.COM/NEW YORK POST: report the NHL and NHLPA have apparently agreed upon an arbitrator, location and date to hear the PA's grievance filed on behalf on Ilya Kovalchuk regarding the league's rejection of his 17-year, $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils. The arbiter is believed to be Richard Bloch, who is based in Washington and has previous experience in NHL CBA arbitration. The hearing could be held next week in either Toronto or New York and a decision could be rendered by the end of next week.

CALGARY SUN/CALGARY HERALD: reported the Flames re-signing defenseman Ian White to a one-year, $2, 999, 995 million contract means the club will have to shed salary as it pushes them over the $59.4 million cap for next season. Ales Kotalik cleared waivers nearly a month ago and could be bought out but assistant GM Jay Feaster said he expected Kotalik will return. The club now have 8 defensemen under NHL contracts so it's possible one of them could be dealt.

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Eric Stephens reports the Anaheim Ducks trading away defenseman James Wisniewski could be the prelude to the club adding another experienced defenseman. They're reportedly interested in Vancouver's Kevin Bieksa and Toronto's Tomas Kaberle, both of whom have a season remaining on their current contract. The Ducks have enough cap space to absorb either contract and still have enough left to re-sign RFA forward Bobby Ryan.

CHICAGO DAILY HERALD: Tim Sassone reports it's becoming increasingly likely the Blackhawks could lose goaltender Antti Niemi. His arbitration award will be announced today and it's expected to be over $3 million for next season, possibly as high as $4 million, which could mean the Blackhawks could either reject the award or accept it and then trade him. If it's the latter Sassone suggests Philadelphia, Washington and San Jose might be interested in Niemi. If they simply walk away it's believed they could sign UFA goalie Marty Turco.

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TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons reports Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke claims the trade market for defenseman Tomas Kaberle will improve once Ilya Kovalchuk's contract status is resolved but Simmons doesn't see the correlation between the two, pointing out that if 27 teams have nothing to do with Kovalchuk in any way how would their needs be different once the matter is concluded?...Simmons suggested the Anaheim Ducks could use Kaberle given their lack of depth of experienced blueliners...He also notes the LA Kings still have around $13 million in available cap space making them a team that needs to be bold and has the money to do so.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports plenty of talent,like Marty Turco, Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie, Andy Sutton and Miroslav Satan, are still looking for work. He quotes a league executive suggesting the end of the arbitration period might spur some signings, while a player agent suggests older players are being squeezed by clubs giving younger prospects a chance. Garrioch notes the NY Islanders, Colorado, Atlanta, St. Louis, Nashville, Dallas, Anaheim, Carolina and Los Angeles have money to spend.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Adam L. Jahns reports the Blackhawks have until Monday to make a decision regarding the arbiter's award of one-year, $2.75 million for goalie Antti Niemi. They can either accept it, reject it, or accept it and then trade Niemi.

CHICAGO DAILY HERALD: Tim Sassone reports the Blackhawks still have enough wiggle room to accept Niemi's arbitration award and still ice a competitive roster for next season, even if it means starting the season by carrying only 20 players on the roster.

CSNPHILLY.COM: Tim Panaccio reports former Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco texted him from Scotland to deny rumors he might be signing with the Philadelphia Flyers, saying he would've loved to join the Flyers but it's not happening. Panaccio reports of speculation Turco might sign with Chicago if they walk away from Niemi's arbitration award.

COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Aaron Portzline reports the Blue Jackets defense could still be shaken up by a trade but it's also possible their blueline issues, specifically their lack of a right-handed shot on the blueline, could be addressed during training camp.

DETROIT NEWS: Gregg Krupa believes the Red Wings should re-sign veteran forward Kirk Maltby.