Reports from Minnesota claim the Wild have signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to 13 year deals. Interesting if true especially in Parise's case as he goes from Eastern Conference champions and Stanley Cup finalists to a team that hasn't made the play offs for about 4 years.

Meanwhile Carolina decide what they really need is more turnovers on the blue line and sign Joe Corvo (again) to a $2 million one year deal.

With parise going to the Wild it looks like the Rick Nash sweepstakes could be coming to an end,a lot of big name teams like the Pens,redwings,rangers and the Flyers are all wanting to trade for him.

The Flyers are reported to have agreed a 14 year $100 million contract with the Predators RFA Shea Weber. Nashville have 7 days to match the offer or take the compo. Tough decision for a small market club which hasn't spent big on contracts in the past (might help them reach the cap floor though).

Meanwhile the Rick Nash soap opera rumbles on with Columbus apparently refusing to trade him to the Red Wings and Nash allegedly only wanting to waive his no trade clause for the Red Wings, Blackhawks, Rangers, Bruins, Penguins or Sharks and Columbus GM's Scott Howson's rather silly trade demands this one could go on a long time.

Rick Nash to the Rangers for Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Ansimov, Tim Erixson and a first round pick.

The Rangers have done well to get Nash for what they had to give up for him.I feel sorry for Columbus fans who seem to be in for a few more years of 'rebuilding'.In other news Nashville have matched Philly's offer to Weber,with Suter already gone this summer they couldn't afford to let Weber go aswell.

Agree that the Rangers have done well especially given what Howson was saying about only trading him for another 30-40 goal forward and not wanting a defenceman. Be interesting to see what Nash does when he's playing in a better team.

Meanwhile good news for the Bruins with Nathan Horton being cleared to play for next season. Hopefully he can stay healthy and provide some offence at the business end of the season. Adam Mcquaid has also been cleared as well.

Carolina Hurricanes sign Alexander Semin to a one year $7 million deal.

Could we be heading for another Lock Out? Not looking great at the moment.

Most people are predicting some form of a lockout but after what happened a few years ago they would be stupid to lose a whole season again.

I'd agree with that and I am suprised there is such an impasse at the minute between the owners & NHLPA. The last lockout seriously damaged the sports reputation and attendances which has taken until the last couple of seasons to get back to where they where before.

It does seem less and less likely an agreement will be in place before september and the owners/NHL have now delared that unless there is a new CBA in place by Sept 15th there will be a lock according to Gary Bettmans statement out even though Head of NHLPA Don Fehr had said the union is open to continuing talks beyond Sept 15th if no deal is reached, and entering the season under the current system.

Just find it hard to believe its looks set for a lockout after the damage the last one did. Have to say I don't know which party is right/wrong but it looks like its down to 3 main issues the NHL wanting to cut the players revenue % share by 14%, limit contract lengths and remove players arbitration.

So it looks like a lockout unless some serious negotiations take place and either one or both sides soften on their demands as both sides say there is a huge gulf between them!!!