The Flyers are in need of a big-time goalie and general manager Paul Holmgren is trying to devise a plan to acquire one without giving up an offensive star. "I have certain plans and I'm certainly not going to discuss them," Holmgren said. "It's an important summer for us," Holmgren continued. "I believe we have a good team and we want to stay a good team. I believe we're one of the top teams in the league. I think it's important now to just try to maintain and add in certain areas. So we're looking at a lot of different things to try to make ourselves better." Jeff Carter, a 40-plus goal scorer, has been mentioned in some trade rumors involving Philadelphia taking back a much-needed goalie.

Brooks Laich wants to stay in Washington, but there may be temptation for him to test the market. Laich is considered by some to be the second-best forward on the market behind Brad Richards. "There's the high-profile, high-production player, which Brad Richards is, but there's Brooks Laich who is a totally different player. He's Mr. Everything," Laich's agent Roland Thompson told Sporting News. "I don't think you're going to find a better player than him and the type of things he brings."

Derek Meech is ready to begin a new chapter in his hockey career after spending seven seasons with the Red Wings. The defenseman be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Meech, 27, played in 126 games with the Wings over four seasons before spending the entire 2010-11 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL). The Wings drafted him in the seventh round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. "It's time for me to move on and explore some different options," Meech said. "I've been in the organization for seven years. It's been unbelievable. I've learned a ton."

The Blackhawks have a checklist of things to accomplish this offseason, including re-signing restricted free-agent winger Michael Frolik. Frolik has also expressed interest in remaining with Chicago.

It's common knowledge that the Rangers plan to target Brad Richards when he hits the free-agent market this summer. "The problem is, it's risky business for the Rangers to wait until July 1 for the Dallas center to become available to the highest bidder when a feeding frenzy marks the opening hours of free agency, and prices soar beyond reason due to the extremely limited supply of difference-makers on the market," writes Larry Brooks of The New York Post. The Maple Leafs and Kings are expected to make plays for Richards as well.

Jason Arnott, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, says he'd "absolutely" like to return to the Capitals. "It definitely would be my first choice to come back and try to win here," Arnott said. "As long as I can. I haven't really set a time. As long as I'm healthy and can still play at a high level and still perform and have fun at the game, I'm gonna play as long as I can." Washington acquired Arnott in a trade at midseason.

Patrik Berglund was drafted by the Blues in the first round back in 2006 and is coming off a career year. He scored a career-high 22 goals this past season and will be a restricted free agent this summer. St. Louis general manager Doug Armstrong said the team will make him a qualifying offer and would like to start negotiations as soon as possible. "We've had a history of going on shorter term deals with younger players," Armstrong said. "I think it's better for the player and the team to define themselves a little bit more."

Nicklas Lidstrom doesn't know if he'll return to the Red Wings for a 20th season, but he has set a deadline of July 1 to make his decision. "If I was Nick, I'd come back and I'd keep coming back," said Mike Modano, who is leaning toward retirement. "If he gets the Norris, he has a chance at history of catching Bobby Orr." Lidstrom is a Norris Trophy finalist for the 11th time in 13 seasons. If Lidstrom wins his seventh award in June for being the NHL's top defenseman, he will match Doug Harvey's total and trail Orr's record by only one. He signed a one-year, $6.2 million deal June 1, 2010, and likely would come back with similar contract terms if he chooses to continue his career. "You take everything into account," Lidstrom said. "How you feel. Motivation. Family situation."

Shea Weber believes he'll return to the Predators next season. "It's going to get done," Weber said. "Obviously, this is a place I love to play, and you saw how close we were this year to getting to the conference finals, and possibly further. This is a place I want to be, and it's going to be a matter of time before something gets done." There are nine Predators who will be restricted or unrestricted free agents if not re-signed by July 1, but keeping Weber, the team captain and two-time NHL All-Star, is the top priority.

The Penguins traded for Alex Kovalev at the trade deadline, but he did little to impress with the team. He scored just three goals in 27 games with Pittsburgh. Kovalev will be a free agent this offseason and the Edmonton Journal writes that the KHL could be an option for the veteran.