News and Rumours- May 31,2010

NHL- Salary cap could increase by $2 million next year.
PIT- Top priority is to sign Sergei Gonchar, term is the sticky point. Gonchar wants 2 years, Penguins want 1 due to Gonchars age.

TOR- GM Brian Burke asked Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin during the interviews at the NHL Combines if they would consider announcing their retirement so the Leafs would have a chance to get them in the 62nd overall pick. Both players declined. Toronto is expected to use Tomas Kaberle as bait to move up in the draft. Columbus is a name that has been rumoured to be a partner.
BOS- Bruins want Taylor Hall, speculations say GM Chiarelli might swap picks with the Oilers to get it.
DET- Nicklas Lidstrom is expected to give Wings management his decision this week.
DET- Ongoing talks with Holmstrom and Bertuzzi
DET- Draft pick Brendan Smith has been charged with disorderly conduct after a fight at a house outside Madison, Wisconsin. He reportedly punched a man who was trying to get into a party.
TOR- Claude Loiselle, a NHL executive, will be added as the Leafs new assistant general manager this week. He will be responsible for managing contracts and salary cap issues.
SJS- Sharks will try to bolster defense this summer. Could let Nabokov walk and get a cheaper alternative such as Marty Turco.
VAN- Daniel Sedin wins Play of the Year Showdown as voted by the fans on TSN.ca. Sedin beat out Steve Stamkos in the finals by taking 71.3% of the votes.
VAN- Sign Defenseman Yann Sauve (2008 pick), Lee Sweatt (KHL), and Chris Tanev (NCAA)
MON- Canadiens management give the Columbus Blue Jackets permission to talk to AHL Hamilton Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher about their coaching vacancy.
ANA-Brandon McMillan C, Signed(Three-year contract)
ANA+PIT=Mattias Modig G, Traded to PIT for 2010 sixth-round pick, PIT, signed Modig on a two-year contract
CAR-Jay Harrison D,Re-Signed(One-year contract)
NAS-Roman Josi D, Signed(Three-year contract)
NAS-Atte Engren G,Signed(Two-year contract)
PIT- Nick Petersen RW,Signed(Three-year contract)
TAM-Mark Barberio D,Signed(Three-year contract)
BOS- Yuri Alexandrov D, Signed

KHL- Petr Sykora is close to signing with Magnitogorsk of the KHL, who he played for during the lockout.

Walter Gretzky wants to beat the Street Hockey Tournament Record. He has 205 teaems signed up so far for his annual street hockey tournament in Brantford, ON. The Guiness World Record is 195 teams.

SCF- Ratings of 2.8 were highest in 11 years for a Game 1 of the Finals.

EA Sports- Annouced that they will be bringing out a NHL 11 game for the Wii console. It will be called NHL Slapshot with Wayne Gretzky on the cover. Nintendo has also come out with a hockey stick control.