NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said on Saturday that if the league's salary cap doesn't go unchanged, it could fall five percent. The key will be whether the NHL Players' Association opts to retain a 5-percent inflation clause that's part of the league's labor agreement. The league's salary cap was $56.7 million for 2008-09.

Blackhawks general manager Dave Tallon told the Chicago Tribune that he's looking to keep the team's nucleus in tact. "The key for us is to keep the nucleus of this team together for the longest possible time," Tallon said. "That's the goal, and we'll achieve that goal." Nikolai Khabibulin and Martin Havlet will both be unrestricted free agents. Retaining Khabibulin, who split regular season time with Cristobal Huet, would mean committing serious money to two goalies. "We have depth in goal," Tallon said. "We have a lot of young prospects. Nik was really good this year. It was positive to see Cristobal have a great finish the other night [with 44 saves] and play like he was capable of playing. He had a pretty good year as well. "We're going to meet and evaluate the direction we're going to head." Havlat has made it known that he'd like to remain with the Blackhawks. "I would love to stay here. ... We'll see how it goes," he said. "We'll find out very soon. We're going to talk quickly, and hopefully it's going to work out."

Pittsburgh's Maxime Talbot told the Detroit Free Press that he'd like nothing more than to be able to taunt Marian Hossa after the Stanley Cup Finals. Hossa, who was part of the Penguins' loss to the Red Wings in last year's Finals, opted to sign with Detroit prior to the season. "There's nothing I'd like more than to be able to shake Marian's hand at the end of this series, look him in the eye and say, 'You chose the wrong team.' "

Sidney Crosby believes that the Penguins match up better with the Red Wings this year. Pittsburgh lost Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals to Detroit last year by a combined score of 7-0. "I think we went in there, very similar to our first year in the playoffs, where we waited to see what it was going to be like. And by that time, it was too late," Crosby said. They lost the Cup to Detroit in six games. "It's a lot different now, knowing what to expect, knowing our opponent a little more," Crosby said. "I don't think we played Detroit last year before the finals. There's a lot more familiarity with everything."

The Red Wings aren't happy with the schedule of the Stanley Cup Finals. Detroit will have just two full days to recharge before starting their series Saturday against Pittsburgh, their opponent in last year's championship triumph. "We're not happy, I have to be honest," Wings general manager Ken Holland said Thursday. "We're disappointed that we haven't had an extra day's rest. It's a double-whammy, the quick turnaround and back-to-back games [to open the finals]. We're disappointed because we think when you win a series in five games or less, that you have earned an opportunity to have a few more days of rest. "But at the same time, we understand and we're not going to dwell on it. Because we don't want to lose our focus with the job at hand. It is what it is. Let's play."

The Canadiens have offered Alexei Kovalev a new contract and their captaincy, according to a Russian newspaper. The newspaper claims that Montreal is looking to sign Kovalev to a one-year deal worth between $6 million to $7.5 million. Doing so, would likely spell the end for Saku Koivu with the Canadiens.

The owner of the Bruins believes the next Winter Classic will be played at Fenway Park, according to an Associated Press report. Jeremy Jacobs said he thinks it?s the worst kept secret in Boston that the game on January 1 will be played at Fenway. Previous reports have indicated that the home of the Red Sox will be the likely site.

Patrick Roy won?t be coming back to Colorado to try to lead the Avalanche back to respectability, according to an Associated Press report. Roy turned down an offer to coach the Avalanche, who are reeling from their worst finish since moving to Denver in 1995. The Denver Post first reported Roy?s decision on the newspaper?s Web site Wednesday.

Darryl Sutter has three coaching candidates in mind for the Flames. If none stand out, the GM is prepared to take over again, according to an Associated Press report on Tuesday. Sutter, who coached the Flames from 2002-06, was asked if he was including himself in the search for Mike Keenan?s successor. ?Right now I?m the best one,? Sutter said. ?All the best coaches in the league are under contract. There?s three guys who are excellent. ?I won?t tell you who they are, but then I?m fourth. If I find out at the end of the search that I think I?m the best candidate, then I am the coach.?

It is with deep sadness that the Toronto Maple Leafs learned of the passing of former player Peter Zezel, who passed away due to illness earlier today. Peter Zezel was 44 years old. Toronto Maple Leafs President and General Manager Brian Burke issued the following statement this evening : ?On behalf of the Maple Leafs, I want to convey our deepest sympathies to Peter?s family, friends and former teammates. He was the consummate professional and he always carried himself with great class as a human being. Peter will be greatly missed.? Former teammate and Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni Board Member Mark Osborne: ?Peter was the ultimate caring friend and teammate. He was so dedicated to his family and friends and he would always freely give of his time and energies to help someone else. He was truly a passionate and loyal friend both on and off the ice. Our hockey family is devastated.? Born in Toronto on April 22, 1965, Peter Zezel played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League, including four seasons with the Maple Leafs between 1990 and 1994. His NHL career began in 1984-85, and he would go on to play 873 games for the Flyers, Blues, Capitals, Leafs, Stars, Devils and Canucks. He tallied 219 goals and added 389 assists for 608 points. He also played in 131 playoff games and collected 25 goals, 39 assists and 64 points. Prior to his career in the NHL, he was a standout performer with the Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey League in 1982-83 and 1983-84.