Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette suggests Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin may look to add some size in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.

“Bergevin doesn’t have the cap space for a major renovation and said he doesn’t believe free agency is the answer. The key, he said, is to build through the draft … With six picks in the first three rounds of next month’s draft, it might be a good idea for the Canadiens to shelve the philosophy of picking the best player available in favour of picking the best big player available.”

As far as larger forward prospects are concerned, winger Jacob de la Rose (SWE) or center Frederik Gauthier (QMJHL) could be available as a first-round selection for the Canadiens. Or maybe even 6-foot-4 Anthony Mantha (QMJHL), who ESPN Insider/NHL Scout Grant Sonier has ranked 14th overall.

Adrian Dater of the Denver Post reports that new Colorado Avalanche hockey ops chief Joe Sakic may have had a change of heart about hiring a coach without NHL experience as reported yesterday.

That would seem to put former Avs legend and current Quebec junior league bench boss Patrick Roy firmly back in contention for Joe Sacco’s old job.

“Indications from the Avs now are that a junior coach IS possible. I would still say Sakic would prefer an experienced guy, one who already has had an NHL head coaching job. But it’s now possible that it could indeed be someone from junior, say a Patrick Roy or maybe even an AHL guy like Dallas Eakins or someone else. ” Dater said.

Nothing is imminent, however. The team will do its “due diligence” finding the right guy

San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres has been suspended for the remainder of the Western Conference Semifinals for an illegal hit to the head of Los Angeles Kings forward Jarret Stoll during Game 1 of the series in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 14, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 19:02 of the second period. Torres was assessed a minor penalty for charging. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Torres is considered a repeat offender.

Sportsnet’s John Shannon points out, the decision by the NBA to reject the bid to relocate the Sacramento Kings also hurts the Seattle’s shot at getting an NHL franchise. No new SuperSonics means no rush to build a new arena.

“Lost in the NBA decision not to leave Sacramento for Seattle, is the new arena won’t be built imminently … and the NHL won’t have an Northwest option right now.”

The NBA is reportedly open to Seattle getting a new franchise through expansion just not within this situation.

Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed forward Rob Klinkhammer to a two-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to sign Rob to a multi-year contract,” said Maloney. “Rob is an excellent skater and hard-working forward who has earned a spot on our roster with his strong play last season. We look forward to having him on our team next year.”

The 6-foot-3, 214-pound Klinkhammer appeared in a career-high 22 games with the Coyotes this season recording 5-6-11 and 10 penalty minutes (PIM). He ranked second on the team with a plus-7 rating and established a career-high five-game point streak from March 25 to April 2.

The 26-year-old native of Lethbridge, Alberta has posted 5-8-13 and12 PIM in 38 career NHL games. Klinkhammer originally signed with the Coyotes as a free agent on July 13, 2012.

New York Islanders forward Matt Moulson, Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis are the three finalists for the NHL’s Lady Byng Trophy, the league’s sportsmanship award.

St. Louis has already won the award twice (2010 and ’11), and was a finalist two other times. The 37-year-old ranked second among NHL forwards in total time on ice, but was assessed just 14 penalty minutes.

Moulson is a finalist for the second straight season. He had four penalty minutes in 47 games, tied with San Jose’s Logan Couture for the fewest among the NHL’s top 50 scorers.

Kane is a Lady Byng finalist for the first time, after helping Chicago to a Presidents’ Trophy. He played 47 games and averaged 20:03 of ice time, but had just eight penalty minutes.

Adrian Dater of the Denver Post strongly suggests it’s going to be a while before the Colorado Avalanche hires a new bench boss. Likely, as discussed before, because the club wants to have a shot at hiring the current head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, Dave Tippett.

“The Avs would like to see if Dave Tippett will be available. The Phoenix coach’s contract runs out June 30. Tippett could have a bidding war for his services this summer, between the Avs, Stars, Coyotes and maybe others. He is a highly prized coach.”

Lindy Ruff, Patrick Roy, and Dean Chynoweth are also still believed to be in the mix for the gig.

City councilors and the Edmonton Oilers agreed Wednesday to split the cost of the final $30 million needed to green light the wavy-shaped steel-and-glass structure in the city’s downtown in time for the 2016-17 NHL season.

“This has been a long and difficult process,” Mayor Stephen Mandel told councillors. “We need to make sure that we build a city that attracts and retains the younger generation.”

Construction is to start next spring and the city plans to pay off some of its debt through increased tax revenues from shops and businesses expected to spring up around the arena.

The total cost, including the rink and surrounding infrastructure, comes in at $604.5 million.

Under the arrangement, the Oilers are to pay $161.5 million, the city $279 million and another $125 million is to come from a ticket tax.

Last week, Mandel and political leaders from surrounding regions voted to seek another $25 million from the province under a regional grant program. The city says it will seek an additional $14 million in grants for a community rink attached to the project.

“The result today is a landmark agreement that enables our city to move forward in an enormously positive way,” said Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz, who was not at Wednesday’s council meeting, but spoke with reporters via speaker phone.

Daily hockey news from around the league:

• The relationship between the Calgary Flames and forward Roman Cervenka has apparently come to an end. According to Igor Eronko of Sports.ru, Cervenka has signed a three-year deal with a Kontinental Hockey League squad. “Cervenka signed 3 year contract with #SKA of #KHL as per club official release ” Cervenka inked a one-year, $3.775-million deal (including performance bonuses) with the Flames ahead of the 2012-13 season. The 27-year-old’s previous KHL experience includes stints with Avangard Omsk and Lev Praha.
• One piece of business for the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer could be securing Phil Kessel with a new long-term deal. With just one year left on his current contract (average annual salary: $5.4 million), Kessel merits such an contract extension according to Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail. Particularly after the winger enjoyed so much success this past season. ESPN Insider Craig Custance agrees in addition to acquiring a top center, the Maple Leafs should lock Kessel in with an extension before 2013-14.

• Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock is confident that Pavel Datsyuk won’t be going to play in Russia after his contract expires next season.

  “You mean how long is his deal and how much is he gonna make? Well, there’s this much possibility he’s going back to Russia,” said Babcock, making a zero with his thumb and index finger. “I mean, we’ll get it done (new deal) in the summer.” He is set to make $6.7 million in 2013-14 and talks for an extension are expected to take place in July. There was speculation that he could play in the KHL after speaking fondly of his experience during the lockout, which set off some alarm bells. “It’s kind of my dream, to (go) back and enjoy (playing in front of) Russian friends,” Datsyuk said back in January. “They (fans) cheered for me. You never know how your career will go.” Hopefully, for Detroit and for hockey fans in North America he gets will stay in the NHL.
• The New York Rangers will host a pair of games from Yankee Stadium next season. They will play the New Jersey Devils at 12:30 p.m. ET on January 26, 2014, and will face the New York Islanders at 7:30 p.m. ET on January 29, 2014. “The teams playing in these two games the Rangers, Islanders and Devils  have tremendously loyal fans and the rivalries are intense because of their proximity and playoff history,” said Mathieu Schneider, NHLPA special assistant to the Executive Director. “Yankee Stadium is a landmark venue in New York City, and to see hockey played in such a celebrated setting will be extremely memorable to the players and everyone involved.”

San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres will face an in-person disciplinary hearing with the National Hockey League Thursday after a high hit on Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series Tuesday night.

With one minute remaining in the second period of the Sharks’ 2-0 loss, Torres hit Stoll in the Kings’ zone. Stoll was not skating completely upright after playing the puck with his hands and Torres followed through with a body check that had some people thinking it was a hit to the head.

Torres was given a two-minute minor penalty for charging.