5pm is the deadline for qualifying restricted free agents and the Nashville Predators have not extended an offer to defenseman Michael Del Zotto, so he will be a UFA at Noon tomorrow.
Players Updated on the HockeyBuzz RumorChart so far today: Statsny, Ott, Cammalleri, Mike Richards, Spezza, Jokinen, Hemsky, Grabovski, Niskanen, Boyle..
24 hours to go! Lots of updates...start here...
On Niskanen....
The Penguins have said he will go to UFA, but I am also hearing there are still going to be attempts to avoid that from one side of this at least. The Wild are also very interested...along with Sens, Oilers, Wings...
On Grabovski...
NJ has some interest, but Washington and Grabo both want to get this done...
On Hemsky...
San Jose is the team to watch, AS OF NOW...
On Jussi Jokinen...
The Winnipeg Jets are rumored to be putting forth an enormous offer. Montreal is also a major player...
On Spezza..
We have seen this story before...Bryan Murray is also setting up a twelfth hour decision by Spezza...The Preds could be his only choice if he wants out..The Blues, Stars and San Jose are still at this dance.
On Mike Cammalleri...
It sounds like the Flames will get an extension done...the Devils have an eye on this.
On Steve Ott...
The Flyers really really want Steve Ott.
On Paul Stastny...
The Blues are looking better and better if he is leaving Colorado...keep an eye on Nashville here...