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The only wildcard -- and, mind you, it's a biggie -- is the fate of the franchise in Arizona. Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports Dave Tippett will re-up as head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes if ownership and the lease agreement in Glendale is resolved to his liking. All the specific details of head coach's new deal have already been hammered out.

"... (GM) Don Maloney says the 'dollars and cents' portion of Dave Tippett's contract is done. Future of franchise is holding it up ..."

Meanwhile, we're finally nearing the end of the will-they-stay-or-go? saga in Glendale. The group interested in buying the Coyotes and keep them in Arizona are still trying to work out a lease agreement with the City of Glendale. And ESPN.com's Scott Burnside reports there's word of progress made on that front, with another meeting potentially scheduled for Friday. But if it all falls apart -- and the clock's ticking -- Burnside suggests there's another group willing to purchase the team and move it to Seattle.

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UPDATE: TSN's Darren Dreger reports the "Dallas Stars continue to sort through coaching candidates. (GM Jim) Nill will meet with Ruff again this week and Tortorella remains in contention ..."

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With Alain Vigneault (New York Rangers) and Dallas Eakins (Edmonton Oilers) spoken for, and Dan Bylsma secure in his position with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Dallas Stars have to re-focus their search for a head coach. Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News suggests a new perceived favorite is emerging from the shrinking pool of candidates.

"... The guess now is that former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff moves to the top of the Stars' list, and that former Rangers coach John Tortorella will also be in the mix. The Canucks are still looking for a coach, and either of those candidates could choose to go there. You also have to believe that losing Vigneault at this date could make the Stars more open to waiting for July 1 to see if Phoenix coach Dave Tippett chooses to make himself available as a free agent (his contract expires June 30 and he has yet to sign an extension) ..."

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The Ottawa Senators are hoping to select earlier than 17th overall, by the time June 30th rolls around. According to the Ottawa Sun, Bryan Murray is looking to move up in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft via trade. And Ottawa's general manager said he has discussed a trade with four teams slotted to pick ahead of the Senators. Now, whether one of those clubs are actually willing to do such business is another story.

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UPDATE: Although absent from Wednesday's morning skate, Marian Hossa is still expected to suit up for Game 4 in Boston (ESPNChicago.com).

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About half of the nearly dozen clubs rumored to be recently keen on trading for Jonathan Bernier (L.A. Kings) reportedly remain in the mix. ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reports five teams still have a "serious interest" in Bernier -- including the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Islanders.

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UPDATE: Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times confirms Slava Vonov's new six-deal with the Los Angeles Kings is worth $25 million. That leaves the Kings with under $8 million in salary cap space in which to corral eight roster players for 2013-14.

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Here we go again ... With the NHL draft just over a week away, trade rumors regarding Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks are starting to re-heat. Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly.com reports the Philadelphia Flyers are believed to be interested in dealing for the goal-scoring winger.

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Alain Vigneault is expected to be officially entrenched in The Big Apple by week's end. TSN's Darren Dreger proposes the "Vigneault saga will conclude with his formal introduction as head coach of the New York Rangers on Friday ..."

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With one year left on his current contract and exorbitant demands (alleged) for his next deal, Kris Letang could be on the trade block for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review argues Ray Shero will move Letang unless the 26-year-old defenseman is willing to accept a yearly salary of around $6 million and limited-trade clause.

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While it's been confirmed that forward Danny Briere will be bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers, the fate of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov remains up in the air. It was believed that the Flyers wouldn't cut Bryzgalov loose unless they were assured of securing another promising netminder (ie. Jonathan Bernier). Now there's word from the goalie's agent, via the Philadelphia News, that the Flyers intend to move forward with their long-term investment. Apparently GM Paul Holmgren told Ritch Winter that Bryzgalov was one of his "best players" and "not the problem" and would remain in Philly next season.

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Apparently the Colorado Avalanche isn't all that interested in selecting defenseman Seth Jones first overall. So sayeth Joe Sakic, 12 days before the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. According to Adrian Dater of the Denver Post, the Avs are more interested in picking one of Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin, or Alexander Barkov.

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It appears the Nashville Predators are keen to sign a backup goaltender this offseason -- one not named Chris Mason. Josh Cooper of the Tennessean reports the Preds have already relayed their willingness to shop around to their current (2012-13) No. 2.

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UPDATE: TSN's Bob McKenzie reports Logan Couture's new five-year deal with the San Jose Sharks includes an average annual salary of $6 million ($30 million total).

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If elite draft prospect Jonathan Drouin gets his wish, the Tampa Bay Lightning will call his name 12 days from now. According to "le journal de montreal", Drouin was more "comfortable" with the Lightning than any other of the 18 NHL teams he met with recently. And the 18-year-old Halifax forward has nothing against playing in the warm Florida sunshine.

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