Brandon Dubinsky has lowered his asking price in hopes of joining the Rangers in training camp sooner rather than later. "Of the three proposals on the table, we've altered the two- and one-year proposals that we believe are reasonable given the marketplace and the Rangers' payroll," Kurt Overhardt, Dubinsky's agent, told The New York Post. "I think it's unfortunate that Rangers' management is treating this as a sum-zero game with this player. "It doesn't make sense." It is believed that Dubinsky is now seeking a one-year deal for approximately $1.1 million or a two-year deal for approximately $2.15 million.

Rob Niedermayer is in negotiations with the KHL's Moscow Red Army, according to TSN. Unless an NHL team surfaces with an offer soon, the veteran forward will sign in Russia shortly.

The Wild have invited forward Petr Sykora to training camp for a tryout, according to an Associated Press report on Monday. Sykora has played for 14 seasons and was fourth on the Stanley Cup champion Penguins last year with 46 points.

Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli refused to discuss Phil Kessel this weekend. More than three months after free agency started, Kessel, a restricted free agent, still doesn't know where he'll be playing this season. "I am not commenting on trade speculation or contract negotiations," Chiarelli told the Boston Globe. "Any questions about the hockey team?"

It is looking more and more unlikely that the Wild will sign free-agent Petr Sykora. Minnesota made offers to Sykora this week, but he has offers on the table from Russia worth $3 million. The Star Tribune is reporting that the Wild have made offers in the neighborhood of $1 million.

Phil Kessel doesn't plan on negotiating with the Bruins any longer, sources told the Boston Globe. Instead, Kessel intends to sign an offer sheet with another one of the NHL's 29 teams. However, that doesn't mean he's done in Boston. The Bruins have the right to match any offer sheet that Kessel signs, and per NHL rules they would be prohibited from trading him during the first year of a matched contract.

The Penguins want to re-sign Sergei Gonchar, who will become a free agent at the end of the season. "I sat down with [Gonchar] last week for a little bit, just to kind of get things started," general manager Ray Shero told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Those [talks] will continue a little bit, to a certain extent, and we'll see what happens. "He certainly is a guy we'd like to extend, to have him around Pittsburgh. He's done a fantastic job for us. Hopefully, at the end, it will work out." Gonchar is entering the final season of a five-year contract worth $25 million, and Shero added that nothing is imminent. Pittsburgh also wants to retain Kris Letang, who will be a restricted free agent next summer.

Christian Backman still wants to play in the NHL, according to Eishockeynews.de. There has been a lot of talk about Backman wanting to play in Sweden this season, but he has informed his agent otherwise. The Predators appear to be one of many teams interested in Backman.

With goalie Roberto Luongo signed to a long-term extension, the Canucks could turn their attention to Ryan Kesler. Kesler, who is coming off a career year, was a finalist for the Selke award. "Our intention was to begin speaking with [Kesler's agent Kurt Overhardt] once we got some other business taken care of," Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis told The Province. "And now we have that business taken care of."

The Maple Leafs are now in position to offer restricted free agent Phil Kessel a deal. Toronto acquired a 2010 second-round pick from Chicago on Saturday, which now gives them the required picks (a first, second and third-rounder) to make an offer to a restricted free agent. Many have speculated that this means Toronto will make a play for Kessel.