30 thoughts/facts/predictions around the 2010 NHL draft/free agency ***updated***

Three hours away from the beginning of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles, California, there is a lot of talk surrounding what is likely to happen tonight, and before the start of the NHL free agency on July 1st.

Below, you will find 30 thoughts/facts/predictions about the NHL that might happen in the next few hours or days, one for every NHL team:

Anaheim Ducks With Scott Niedermayer’s retirement, the Ducks are looking to add defensive depth via trade or free agency. They have yet to talk with RFA Bobby Ryan over a new contract. UFA Paul Kariya has hinted he would gladly come back to Anaheim.
Atlanta Thrashers Pending UFA Colby Armstrong will test free agency as no talks have occurred between his agent and the Thrashers.
Boston Bruins Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has allowed Tim Thomas’s agent to talk to other teams about a possible trade of the veteran goaltender. Thomas has a NMC.
Buffalo Sabres The Sabres will not re-sign pending UFA Raffi Torres whom they acquired from the Jackets last winter. The are also interested in acquiring an offensive defenseman such as Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe or Sheldon Souray.
Calgary Flames The Flames are trying to move Robyn Regehr for a talented forward. They are also trying to re-sign pending RFA defenseman Ian White.
Carolina Hurricanes Jim Rutherford is looking to add a quality defenseman to his defensive corps and will likely draft a defenseman with their 1st round pick.
Chicago Blackhawks Stan Bowman is still trying to unload Kris Versteeg salary. He is reportedly asking a high pick and a prospect.
Colorado Avalanche Colorado is trying to move offensive defenseman John-Micheal Liles for a draft pick. Liles is on the market since the beginning of 2010.
Columbus Blue Jackets Scott Howson is trying to move his 4th overall pick in exchange for an offensive defenseman or a center to play with Rick Nash. If he can’t the Jackets will pick a defenseman.
Dallas Stars Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk is trying to reduce is payroll and is shopping Mike Ribeiro and is $5M/year salary. Nieuwendyk is also trying to bolster his blueline.
Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland is looking to add an enforcer to his team to protect his star players. He will likely wait after July 1st to sign a cheap young player.
Edmonton Oilers The Oilers are quite interested in acquire the 2nd overall pick from the Bruins, but the offer, while enticing, was not good enough to make Chiarelli budge.
Florida Panthers New GM Dale Tallon is trying to trade the 15th overall pick and has also made available defenseman Keith Ballard around the league. The Blues are possibly interested and might have offered center Patrick Berglund.
Los Angeles Kings With Patrick Marleau off the market, the Kings will likely try hard to land the prized free agent Ilya Kovalchuk via free agency. Since they host the draft, don’t expect them to trade their first round pick.
Minnesota Wild The Wild is shopping defenseman Brent Burns in exchange for a 2nd line center to add depth to a thin center line.
Montreal Canadiens Le Bleu Blanc Rouge is trying hard to move the younger Kostitsyn, Sergei, but his off-ice antics make him hard to move. MTL is also trying to improve their first round pick, they have the 27th pick.
Nashville Predators GM David Poile is trying to move Denis Grebeshkov’s negotiating rights in return of a 2010 draft pick. Nashville is looking to add cheap offensive depth up front after the departure of Jason Arnott.
New Jersey Devils Now that they have hired John MacLean as their new head coach, they are trying to re-sign pending UFA Paul Martin to a long term contract.
New York Islanders NY is trying to trade down their pick. They would rather draft around the 10th pick, as they would likely draft a forward.
New York Rangers Former NHLer Nikolai Zherdev is looking to come to the NHL as he would be interested in returning to the Big Apple. Plenty of teams have shown interest in pending RFA Dan Girardi. Glen Sather is listening to offers, but is now shopping him actively.
Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray is still shopping Jason Spezza and while some teams have shown interest, nothing is imminent. Spezza is owed a $4M bonus on July 1st.
Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers and recently-acquired Dan Hamhuis are reportedly not close to reach a deal before Hamhuis becaomes a UFA come July 1st. They might shop his negociating rights.
Phoenix Coyotes The team is interested in moving the draft a few ranks as it has targeted a specific player. The Coyotes hold plenty the 13, 22, 52, 113 and 138 selections.
Pittsburgh Penguins The Penguins have met with Gonchar’s agent today in LA to negociate with the veteran defenseman, but no progress has been made. The Pens are also trying to move up in the draft and the Panthers’ pick (15th overall) is in play.
San Jose Sharks With Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski locked up for four more years, GM Doug Wilson is trying to re-sign pending RFA Devin Setoguchi over a long term contract.
St. Louis Blues The Blues are trying to move in the draft and are also shopping heavily forward Brad Boyes, but his hefty contract is a major roadblock.
Tampa Bay Lightning Ryan Malone is attracting plenty of interest from other GMs, even tough GM Steve Yzerman is not actively shopping him.
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke is still shopping Tomas Kaberle and is looking to acquire a first or second round draft pick to continue the youth movement in Toronto.
Vancouver Canucks The Canucks are trying to bolster their defensive corps and they might try to acquire Anton Volchenkov’s rights from Ottawa or even Dan Hamhuis’ rights from Philly.
Washington Capitals GM George McPhee has announced the team will not re-sign pending free agents Scott Walker, Joe Corvo, Jose Theodore and Shaone Morrisson. The Caps will likely add a 2nd line center and a veteran goaltender to support Varlamov.

What do you think will happen with your team tonight or in the next few days?

TRADE UPDATEThe Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenseman Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskovich from the Florida Panthers for Steve Bernier, Michael Grabner and the 25th pick overall.