A trade proposed earlier this week that would have seen the disgruntled left-winger dealt to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for three players is off the table — at least for now, according to Senators general manager Bryan Murray. The $4-million signing bonus the Sens had to pay Heatley has changed the terms of the deal.

"Well, it's different now and I don't know if we will continue or not," Murray said Thursday. "I will, I believe, during the day talk to (Oilers GM) Steve Tambellini again, but very definitely, it's not the same deal as it was yesterday."

The Oilers had proposed sending forwards Andrew Cogliano and Dustin Penner and defenceman Ladislav Smid to Ottawa for Heatley, who refused to waive his no-trade contract, according to TSN.ca.

Murray was blunt when asked where that leaves Heatley now.

"Nowhere, he's an Ottawa Senator," he said.

"I feel great," Gaborik said on a conference call from his home in Slovakia, a day after signing a five-year contract worth $37.5 million. "I played the last 11 games of the year and I took time off after and tried to get to 100%. Now, I'm in full training, getting ready for the season. I'm very excited. I don't see any problems down the road."

It's the problems in his rearview mirror that have some fans concerned about the signing. Gaborik missed all but 17 games last year with groin, back and hip injuries, the last of which drove him to the operating table in January. He has played more than 65 games only once in the past five seasons. "I'm glad I had the surgery, it worked out perfectly," Gaborik said.

The Daily News reported the Rangers, meanwhile, remain in the market for a center who can distribute the puck to their new prize. Brandon Dubinsky is in line to get the first audition at the top pivot, though Glen Sather continued combing a thinned market Saturday. Saku Koivu, the Habs captain who was cast away after 13 seasons in Montreal, still had no contract as of Saturday night, though he was in talks to join his brother Mikko in Minnesota. Dallas' Brendan Morrison also was on the market, though he's 33 and coming off two down years in a row.

"For how good the hockey team is and I really believe it has a chance to win the Stanley Cup," Madden, 36, told the Chicago Tribune Thursday. "With the addition of Hossa and the experience last year, it's a group with a lot of skill and talent and hungry kids who want the Cup. They have all the elements of making a run at it for this year and years to come. I had no problem giving up security for a chance to win."

Madden is widely considered one of the best defensive forwards in the league. He won the Selke in 2001 and was a finalist in 2003, 2004 and 2008. The 5-foot-11-inch, 190-pounder had seven goals and 16 assists for the Devils last season.

"Something the team needed was my experience and someone to do the job I've done with the Devils for the last nine years," said Madden, who helped New Jersey win the Stanley Cup in 2000 and 2003. "I'll do anything to help the team win."

According to the News, Detroit's depth — including that in the minors — gives it a chance to persevere despite a sour ending to the season and losing Hossa to rival Chicago on Wednesday.

"We like the core of our team," said general manager Ken Holland. "The focus right now is on the guys who've left. But we still have very good players on this team."

But the West got stronger, too.

Chicago added Hossa and former Michigan star John Madden, a past Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) winner, to an already formidable roster.

Acquiring Jay Bouwmeester gives Calgary three potential Team Canada defensemen (Bouwmeester, Robyn Regehr, Dion Phaneuf).

The Globe, quoting to sources on both sides of the deal who had first-hand knowledge of the negotiations, the Bruins arrived at the draft late Friday afternoon believing they were swapping Kessel, 21, for Kaberle, 31. The Bruins initially asked for Toronto's top pick in this past weekend's draft, No. 7 overall, to be included in the swap. But when Toronto general manager Brian Burke turned down that package, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli countered with Kessel and Boston's top pick next June for Kaberle and the No. 7.

A swap of players. A swap of first-round picks. Deal done. Or so the Bruins believed. So much so, said one source, that they planned to select hard-rock winger Zack Kassian with the No. 7 pick.

When the Bruins' front-office brass arrived at the Bell Centre in Montreal around 4:30 p.m., some 2½ hours before the draft, Chiarelli and Burke soon met among the forest of 30 team tables spread out over half the arena's floor. It was at that point, one of the sources said Monday, when Chiarelli first learned that Burke believed the only pick in the deal was the first-rounder the Bruins would hand over in 2010.

The No. 7 pick, Burke believed, remained his, and he stood ready to acquire Kessel and Boston's top pick next June in what amounted to a two-for-one for Kaberle.

The response from a near-speechless Chiarelli: No deal, according to the Globe.

The Post first reported on June 18 the initiation of contract talks between the Devils and Oduya. Although the contract was not believed to be complete Monday, the sides were said to be putting the final touches on what may be a four-year deal in the $3-4 million annual salary range — a major raise from the $600,000 Oduya made last season.

On the other hand, agent Steve Bartlett figures to start fielding calls tomorrow when Gionta, who scored 48 goals in 2005-06, goes on the open market. Bartlett said Gionta will not object to re-signing with New Jersey after becoming an unrestricted free agent, according to the Post.

Agent Bill Zito repeatedly refused comment on Madden's situation, but it is believed that there have been no substantive negotiations with the Devils, and that New Jersey's available cap space, which would shrink to $12-13 million when Oduya is signed, is a hindrance.

Other Devils headed toward unrestricted free agency tomorrow include backup goalies Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes, and forwards Mike Rupp, Brendan Shanahan and Barry Tallackson, according to the Post.

CKNW Radio in Vancouver is speculating that Luongo and his agent, Gilles Lupien, are asking for a long-term deal that would be at least five years in length, and worth a minimum of $8 million per season. Luongo is scheduled to earn $7.5 million next season, with the Canucks taking a cap hit of $6.75 million in the final year of his current deal, according to TSN.ca.

The report says that Luongo wishes to be among the highest paid goalies in the league, but he also does not want to handicap Vancouver's payroll and might be willing to take less money to make the team more competitive, according to the report.

"The way Roberto wants to go, he doesn't want to hit the jackpot, he wants to have a good team," Lupien told CKNW. "And by doing that, you have to work with the team. We're looking for a bit more money, but nothing that would strangle the team. I think we're going forward to have a deal done in the future."

According to the report, the team says it will not exercise an option to renew its lease at the arena, but wants to continue talks with the city on a new deal. Ilitch Holdings Inc. president and CEO Christopher Ilitch said Friday that the current lease is 30 years old and not competitive to other arena leases in the NHL or professional sports.

He says the team is looking for a new lease that is "fair and equitable for all parties."

The team had until next Tuesday to notify the city of its intentions before a 20-year option automatically kicked in.

Ilitch said the team will continue evaluating all options for a new arena.

Niedermayer must still agree to a new contract, and if he hasn't come to terms with the Ducks by July 1 he could test the free-agent market. However, it's likely he will remain in Anaheim because he said he enjoyed the team's second-half revival last season and believes the Ducks have a chance to remain among the league's elite teams. They lost a seven-game, second-round series to Detroit in May.

He has also said he wants to play for Canada in the Olympics, which will be contested in February in Vancouver. Being an active player would increase his chances of being selected, according to the Times.

The Daily News also reported the Rangers remain in the mix to acquire unhappy sniper Dany Heatley, who wants out of Ottawa.

While a Sens executive said Thursday that there has yet to be "a serious offer" for Heatley and that the team won't be rushed into trading him, it would seem that the more time passes, the better the Blueshirts' chances become to swoop in. The two-time 50-goal scorer is owed a $4 million payment on Wednesday, something the Senators would cringe to pay, according to the Daily News.

"I think there is a lot of tire-kicking going on," Sens assistant GM Tim Murray told NHL.com Thursday. "It doesn't sound serious and then a team calls and makes a serious offer, which could happen at any time. ...We're certainly not going to make a deal just because the draft is approaching or July 1 is approaching."

Former Philadelphia Flyers captain Kevin Dineen as been added to a list that already includes Jacques Lemaire, John MacLean, Peter Laviolette, Guy Carbonneau, Bob Hartley, Mike Haviland and Kirk Muller among potential candidates, the Post reported. Dineen has been the head coach of the Portland Pirates.

Though a decision is expected shortly, Lemaire told The Post that he still hasn't made up his mind as to what he'll do, making clear however, that returning to coach the Devils intrigues him. He refused to declare whether he has been offered the job, or even interviewed for it. It is believed, however, that Lemaire has made initial exploratory inquiries about the team next season.

Devils' legend Scott Stevens ruled himself out, saying he needs more experience and plans to work more closely with the staff in Lowell this season. Former Devil Doug Gilmour, coaching junior hockey in Ontario, said he would "jump at it in a minute" if he felt he had enough experience. And Scotty Bowman, still formidable at 75, says he's not in the running, according to the Post.

The free agent goalie is touring four NHL cities in hopes of selecting a new team for next season. He has already visited the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks. He is also scheduled to make a stop in Toronto, according to the Morning News.

Gustavsson, 24, is an undrafted free agent who led Farjestad to the Swedish Elite League championship this spring. He has decided to move to the NHL next season, and because of his age and free agent status, he can sign only a one-year deal for the rookie maximum of $2.25 million (bonuses included), according to the Morning News. However, his agent Joe Resnick said Gustavsson is not looking at this as a one-year tryout with an organization. He would become a restricted free agent in 2010-11 and would remain the property of the team he selects. What's more, Resnick said Gustavsson wants to find the right team.

"He's looking at team philosophy and where the team is going and what they are thinking," Resnick said. "This is a decision that's not a one-year decision, it's a long-term decision. We're looking at years two, three, four and five, that's our game plan."

The Stars' plan would be to bring in Gustavsson as a backup for Marty Turco.

Heatley, the team's star wingner, has asked for a trade out of the nation's capital. A request that took Murray by surprise.

"I was shocked and disappointed," Murray told reporters. "Number one, I did have a talk at the end of the year in the exit interview. He indicated that he just wanted to talk and he wanted to talk to Corey (Clouston) and there a couple of other issues as well and they were mainly the finger being pointed at him on a few occasions that he didn't think was always fair so we talked about that and he went away to the world championships. Only the Monday before, game 6 in Pittsburgh, the announcement was made by their people they indicated to me they really wanted to get something going."

While the press conference was to announce the Senators front-office shakeup that will see Cyril Leeder replace longtime team president Roy Mlakar, the only thing that reporters wanted to discuss was the Senators trading away one of the top snipers in all of hockey. The move puts Murray in a very vulnerable position, where the rest of the league is aware that he is being forced into making a trade, according to TSN.ca.

"I have had some conversation with several teams. I don't really have a timetable but I have encouraged anybody that is really interested to try to make the contact before the draft and we will get something done by that time I hope."

"I am very excited," Hatcher said in a release. "I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when [general manager Paul Holmgren] offered me this position. It sounded like the perfect way to stay in the game and see if I like it. I will be watching the younger players and making sure everything runs smoothly for them. I will be involved with running the rookie camp this summer, where I will get to work closely with some of our younger players."

Hatcher, 37, takes over for Desjardins, who left after one season to pursue business interests.

Nicklas Lidstrom, who missed games 4 and 5 against the Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals, said he got a stick between the legs courtesy of Patrick Sharp. Lidstrom returned for the start of the Cup Finals, but the pain lingered for the opening two games, according to the News.

"Having the games back to back made things tough," Lidstrom said. "It got better as the series went on."'

Pavel Datsyuk wouldn't confirm he suffered a foot injury in the Chicago series. He missed seven games, not returning until Game 5 of the Pittsburgh series.

"It's too late to talk about injuries, foot or no foot, it's fine now," said Datsyuk, who played 19:11 with one shot on goal. "I look forward not backward.

"My body doesn't feel anything right now. I feel empty. It's too late to talk about injuries."

Brian Rafalski said he wouldn't discuss his injury, which caused him to miss the first five games of the Anaheim series in the second round.

Sykora suffered a broken foot when he blocked a shot in Game 6.

Sykora is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He had 25 goals last year and 53 in two seasons with the Penguins, but the chances of him re-signing likely dropped after he went into a stretch-drive slump and was a healthy scratch for most of the playoffs.

"Who knows?" he said. "I just worry about that I want to win this game. I feel that we deserve to win this game. Seriously, I don't think about it."

After sitting out 14 postseason games in a row and 16 of 18 dating to the first round, Sykora got back in the lineup Tuesday. He had no points and was limited to 6:31 of ice time, at least partly because he dove to make a big block about midway through the second period.

Crawford, 48, is the 16th winningest coach in NHL history with 470 career victories, and has also coached the 15th most games in league history at 987, over 13 seasons with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings. He has posted a 43-40 all-time mark in Stanley Cup Playoff games, including the 1996 Stanley Cup championship with Colorado, as well as five division titles and six seasons of 40-or-more wins. Crawford remains the youngest recipient of the Jack Adams Trophy as NHL Coach of the Year (1995 with Quebec, at the age of 34).

According to the report, the Flyers will announce they have agreed to a deal with Emery, who can't officially sign until the free-agent period starts July 1. He is expected to get a one-year deal worth approximately $1.5 million.

The Inquirer reported that will give the Flyers some additional cap space to pursue a free-agent defenseman or two, and they are also exploring adding a big fourth-line center who is adept at face-offs. Emery's deal figures to be about a $2.5 million-a-year saving on what Marty Biron, the Flyers' goalie the last two seasons, is expected to land in the free-agent market.

Nicknamed "Razor" and "Sugar Ray," the fiery Emery, who excelled in Russia last season, will enliven a Flyers' team that is dominated by laid-back personalities.

Bylsma did more than send Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin out onto the ice, one after the other or together if necessary, and letting his stars decide the Penguins' fate. Bylsma's orchestration of Game 6 began before Game 6 did, with the announcement that Petr Sykora would return to active duty following a month in mothballs in place of Miroslav Satan, the Tribune-Review reported.

Sykora started out on the fourth line but wound up playing with Crosby and with his old linemates, Malkin and Ruslan Fedotenko. Sykora also played on the second power-play unit with Chris Kunitz and Jordan Staal.

Max Talbot played some with Fedotenko and Malkin as usual, and also with Fedotenko and Kunitz, and with Pascal Dupuis and Craig Adams.

And with the Penguins' clinging to a one-goal lead and just over a minute left, Staal and Adams joined Crosby, a threesome that eventually gave way to Talbot, Adams and Matt Cooke, before Crosby and Staal returned to play the final 13.2 seconds with Talbot.

Bylsma maintained he didn't push any more buttons than he normally does. And the game still came down to a breathtaking save by Marc-Andre Fleury on a Dan Cleary breakaway, and a couple of stops by defenseman Rob Scuderi in the crease on whacks by Johan Franzen, the Tribune-Review reported.