Each day through the opening of NHL free agency on July 1, TSN.ca breaks down the latest news and rumours around the NHL. In Sunday's roundup, the UFA interview period is now open as pending unrestricted free agents can meet with prospective teams.


Duchene Decision

Pending unrestricted free agent Matt Duchene's agent Pat Brisson is taking calls from prospective teams on Sunday and Monday before determining the next steps as far as teams they will talk to or have visit the CAA office in Los Angeles, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.

The 28-year-old finished the season with the Columbus Blue Jackets after February 22nd trade brought him over from the Ottawa Senators.  He scored four goals and added eight assists in 23 games with the Blue Jackets after the deal.


Calling Gunnarsson

There have been several calls for pending unrestricted free agent defenceman Carl Gunnarsson on Sunday, according to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.  His camp is also still involved in discussions with the St. Louis Blues, the team that Gunnarsson has called home since the 2014-15 season.


Sean Burke in Seattle?

Sean Burke could be in the mix for the general manager position with the expansion Seattle franchise as it sounds like he interviewed there over the weekend, according to TSN Edmonton Bureau Reporter Ryan Rishaug.  Burke was also one of the final candidates for the GM job in Edmonton and is considered to be a well prepared candidate.

 

Florida Meetings

The Florida Panthers were expected to speak to both Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin when the UFA interview period began and those meetings will take place on Monday.  Both TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie and Senior Hockey Reporter Frank Seravalli say the Panthers would like to have both, but need a goaltender more than a forward.

Interest In Perry

TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Frank Seravalli says that more than 10 teams have already reached out to the camp of forward Corey Perry, who was recently bought out by the Anaheim Ducks, making him an unrestricted free agent.  Seravalli mentions the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators as two teams that jump to the top of the list for him, each would love to have Perry on a bargain contract.  The Dallas Stars are also a possibility for Perry, but their first priority is Mats Zuccarello, who they would like to have on a four-year deal.

Extending Kapanen and Johnsson

The Toronto Maple Leafs are closing in on extensions with restricted free agent forwards Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson, according to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie.  

The Leafs “more or less” have an agreement in place with Kapanen, according to McKenzie. The deal is expected to be three years with an average annual value of $3.2 million.

The Leafs are also closing in on a four-year extension with Johnsson that will likely be worth $3.4 million per season.

The deals are not expected to be formalized until the Leafs’ cap situation is clarified.