Former Kings' Coach Barry Melrose brushed aside a rumor he is in line to become the next coach of the Lightning, saying he is enjoying being a TV analyst, as reported by ESPN.com. "This is no different than any of the last 10 years," Melrose said in response to a report in the Toronto Star. "I've been contacted by a handful of clubs every year since joining ESPN. My desire to coach again has never been a secret, but I love what I do at ESPN."

Canucks rookie Luc Bourdon owned a motorcycle only several days before dying when the bike veered into the path of a truck, close friend Kris Letang of the Penguins said Friday, according to an Associated Press report.

The Red Wings' game against the Penguins on Wednesday night earned a higher rating in Detroit than the Pistons' battle against the Celtics, according to The Associated Press. The Wings' 3-2 loss to the Penguins earned a 18.2 rating in the city while the Pistons' 106-102 loss to the Celtics drew a 15.9. Both of the games were played on the road by the Detroit teams. In the national ratings, the Eastern Conference Finals game (5.3) was rated higher than the Stanley Cup Finals battle (2.8).

Phoenix Coyotes' General Manager Don Maloney announced today that Blake Wheeler, selected by the Coyotes in the 2004 Entry Draft, has rejected the Coyotes' contract offer and will become an unrestricted free agent. ?We offered Blake a contract which was both commensurate with his draft position and far exceeded any guaranteed contract he can receive, under the current CBA, with any other team,? said Maloney. ?He has decided, however, that becoming a free agent is in his best interest." ?We are very happy with the compensatory pick we will receive for Blake not signing, which will be the fifth pick in the second round. This is a very deep draft, and we now have five picks in the first two rounds, which is very exciting.? Under terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, any player who does not remain a college player through the graduation of his applicable class (in this case 2009), must submit a letter stating his intention to turn professional. Upon submission of that letter, the drafting club shall have 30 days to sign the player. If the player and team cannot reach an agreement within that 30 day period, the player becomes a free agent. Wheeler submitted his letter of intent to turn professional on May 8.

Luc Bourdon, 21, a promising rookie defenseman with the Canucks, was killed Thursday when his motorcycle struck a tractor-trailer in a crash near his hometown, according to an Associated Press report. His death was confirmed by sister Eve Bourdon and stepmother Maryse Godin. Both declined further comment when reached at the family?s home in Shippagan.

The Rangers will have to pay forward Bobby Holik, currently with the Thrashers, $3.5 million because of a contract dispute in 2004-05, according to a report on TSN of Canada's website. New York must also pay an undisclosed amount to Jed Ortmeyer, currently with Nashville. The team argued that Holik needed to play to earn his signing bonus after the lockout that canceled the 2004-05 season, but an arbitrator disagreed.

The Blackhawks are expected to play the Red Wings at Wrigley Field in January in the NHL's Winter Classic, according a report on Comcast SportsNet. Hawks' President John McDonough has been pushing for an outdoor game ever since the success of this season's game on New Year's Day at Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium. A league-record 71,217 fans saw the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Sabres 2-1 in a shootout.

The Red Wings? Game 2 win over the Penguins earned a higher television rating on Versus than the opener and was the most-watched Stanley Cup finals cable telecast in six years, as reported by the Associated Press.

Penguins defenseman Darryl Sydor could dress for the first time this postseason against the Red Wings in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday night, according to The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Haven't playing in game situations is going to be a big thing," Sydor said.

The Penguins will need more than a change of scenery to get back in the Stanley Cup Finals. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the Penguins will look to finally generate some offense when they host the Red Wings in Game Three on Wednesday, as reported by Yahoo.com.