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UPDATE: It seems the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers remains committed to re-signing Sam Gagner. As reported by the Edmonton Journal, Craig MacTavish recently reiterated as much to Oilers' season ticket holders.

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There's word of a tentative deal that would see the Phoenix Coyotes remain in the City of Glendale under new ownership. According to The Fourth Period, the NHL has confirmed that an agreement is in place to sell the club to a group headed by Calgary native George Gosbee and Ottawa resident Anthony LeBlanc. TSN's Darren Dreger suggests the deal could be finalized as soon as a few kinks are ironed out.

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Signed to a one-year, one-way ($600,000) contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, goaltender Curtis McElhinney emerges as the early favorite to serve as backup to Sergei Bobrovsky in 2013-14 (Columbus Dispatch). If he performs nearly as well as he did with the AHL Springfield Falcons this past season -- 29-16-3, .923 save percentage, 2.32 goals-against average -- the 30-year-old should have little issue with owning the No. 2 role.

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UPDATE: As anticipated, the NHL has signed Phoenix Coyotes general manager Don Maloney to a long-term contract.

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The San Jose Sharks could have forward Adam Burish back -- ahead of schedule -- for Game 6 versus the Los Angeles Kings. As reported by the San Jose Mercury News, Sharks coach Todd McLellan said Burish "is very close and he may be an option on Sunday." The winger was initially expected to miss the entire Western Conference semi-final after injuring his right hand in the Sharks' opening series against the Vancouver Canucks.

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UPDATE: The agent for Pavel Datsyuk is quashing speculation that his client plans to join AK Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League once his contract with the Detroit Red Wings expires at the end of next season. According to MLive.com, Gary Greenstin implies such talk is pure hooey.

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The odds are stacked against the Ottawa Senators as they attempt to stave off elimination Friday evening against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Of course, Daniel Alfredsson knows how hard it is to come back from a 3-1 deficit, but they can keep hope alive by winning Game 5 tonight. Despite goalie Craig Anderson giving up six goals on 38 shots, coach Paul MacLean said he won't hesitate to stick him back between the pipes tonight, according to the Ottawa Sun's Tim Baines.

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The Washington Post's Katie Carrera believes that veteran Brooks Laich should be a good fit for Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates' system next season after a groin injury cost him most of the 2012-13 campaign.

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UPDATE: Below, we examine the long-term future of Brad Richards, but when it comes to his short-term future, it appears he may be riding the pine again when the Rangers face the Bruins on Saturday.

"#NYR Richards, Stralman, Staal, Clowe, and Powe all not practicing. Imagine that lineup stays same for Game 5," ESPN.com's Katie Strang tweeted Friday afternoon.

- Tom Carpenter

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After news broke that New York Rangers coach John Tortorella was going to make Brad Richards a healthy scratch for Thursday night's game, speculation arose as to whether the Rangers would buy out Richards' contract this offseason. Richards isn't the player he once was, but if the Rangers do buy him out, there should be a healthy market for his services.

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During the abbreviated regular season, Jonathan Toews piled up 23 goals and 48 points in 47 games. After four games versus the Red Wings, of which the Chicago Blackhawks have lost three, Toews has zero goals and a lone assist. How have the Wings put the breaks on Toews' scoring prowess? Netminder Jimmy Howard helped by earning another shutout Thursday, but he gave a lot of the credit to Henrik Zetterberg, according to the Detroit News' John Niyo.

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Even before Alain Vigneault was officially fired as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, there was speculation as to where he'd pick up his NHL coaching career. That process only ramped up after the move was announced, and one of the intriguing possibilities is in Winnipeg.

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For the past several years, the Buffalo Sabres haven't had to worry about their goaltending situation -- they were simply going to throw Ryan Miller in the crease, and he'd get the job done. But with the club going through something of a youth movement as they refurbish the roster, Miller may be the next player they look to move.

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After a dramatic season in which he nearly led the Columbus Blue Jackets back to the playoffs -- and earned himself a spot as a Vezina Trophy finalist -- Sergei Bobrovsky is a hot commodity this offseason. The former Flyer is hitting restricted free agency, and though talks have been slow with the team on a long-term contract extension, Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen pledged that the club would match any RFA offer sheets that come Bobrovsky's way. Unfortunately, he may have bigger problems coming from across the Atlantic.

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It's an offseason of big changes for the Dallas Stars, as their head coaching position (and captaincy) are both vacant. There's a new GM in place (Jim Nill), and some adjustments on the way for the club's logo and uniform. And while the team has plans for an official release of the new logo and uniform on June 4, an online leak may have beaten them to the punch.

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