Kings general manager Dean Lombardi isn't worried about negotiations with young defenseman Drew Doughty on a new contract. "This isn't a standoff like we've been seeing in Washington," Lombardi said jokingly. "I'm fairly confident that we'll be able to get this done." Lombardi and Doughty's representatives have been in communication during the past few days in an effort to move the conversation toward a resolution. "We've been talking," Lombardi said. "We’re trying to hammer it out, but I don't think I really have a handle on it yet."

The Predators and captain Shea Weber are both preparing for their scheduled Aug. 2 arbitration hearing in the event a deal isn't reached prior. Only once this offseason — Chris Campoli and the Blackhawks — has a team and player not come to terms before an arbitration hearing. "It would be way better for the player and the team to negotiate a contract," Predators general manager David Poile said. "But the arbitration gives you that ability if you can't do that. And right now that's where we fall if we can't get a contract done."

The Rangers have no plans to buy out 25-year-old forward Wojtek Wolski. There was speculation that New York could buy out Wolski after agreeing to a three-year deal with Ryan Callahan.

Goaltender Ray Emery will attend the Blackhawks' training camp on a tryout basis in September in the hopes of continuing an NHL career that looked like it would be derailed by injury, Emery's agent told ESPN.com Wednesday.

The Islanders are in talks with Alexei Yashin to bring the center back to New York. After four years in the KHL, Yashin remains pragmatic about the possibility of returning to the NHL. "I don't want to run in front of the situation," Yashin said. "Teams make decisions. Players make decisions," he said. "Now maybe they're looking for a different approach. It might happen, but it might not happen. I can't really prepare for what might be ahead."

A total of six players are facing salary arbitration despite the fact that twenty-two originally filed for arbitration. Not one case has been heard, while sixteen have re-signed with their teams. The next scheduled hearing is for Rangers forward Ryan Callahan, who is slated to go on Thursday. Jannik Hansen of the Canucks is scheduled for a hearing on Friday, while Predators defenceman Shea Weber (Aug. 2) and Devils forward Zach Parise (Aug. 3) would be next. Devils defenceman Mark Fraser and Islanders forward Blake Comeau are scheduled to go before an arbitrator on Aug. 4.

The Blue Jackets are done shopping this summer. Thus far, Columbus has been one of the more active teams this offseason. Most recently, the Blue Jackets signed veteran forward Vaclav Prospal as a replacement for the injured Kristian Huselius.

The Red Wings have called a news conference with Kris Draper amid reports that the veteran forward will retire. Draper, 40, helped the Red Wings win four Stanley Cups and was named the NHL's best defensive forward in 2004. Injuries limited him to 47 games and 11 points last season.

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth, who recently signed a new deal, was very close to leaving the NHL for the KHL. According to a report, Dynamo Minsk was offering him more than twice the money.

Bruins restricted free agent Brad Marchand is still without a deal. He is without arbitration rights, which gives him less leverage in the back-and-forth. The Boston Globe believes he could earn between two and three million per year.