As high noon for NHL Free agency nears, rumors continue to swirl regarding who may end up where once the dust is settled. The texts and calls are flying in to Murphy’s Law headquarters, which these days tends to be a car with our frequent trips North of the Border and an upcoming one south to the Jersey Shore for the Fourth of July.

Really mind-boggling report out of the New York Post from Larry Brooks though, goes against the grain:

http://www.nypost.com

If this is true, then may I or anyone else who has criticized Jeremy Jacobs for his stingy ways, eat our words with a sour mustard! $100 million for 12 years? I guess Jacobs isn’t stingy after all but he definitely isn’t helping the owners he so loyally stood by leading the lockout! Must be the pressure of being the only title-less team in “Title Town!”

That makes this notable one out of Boston even more interesting and maybe not accurate. But if it is, Peter Chiarelli has to have some GM in his pocket for a huge favor and it will be repaid by taking on Murray and Fernandez. A source told Murphy’s Law last night that while Chiarelli was hunkered down preparing to attack the unrestricted free agent market, he may have grown closer to locking up his last restricted free agent, defenseman Dennis Wideman.

After coming to terms with another RFA, forward Petteri Nokelainen, on a two-year deal that will average out to $800,000 per season, sources tell Murphy’s Law that Wideman is very close to withdrawing his arbitration claim and settling on a four-year deal that would pay him on average $3.9 million per season if the Bruins comply. However, one conflicting report claimed this was slightly lower to what Wideman was asking for before filing but that maybe he had come down and a compromise had been made. Do stay tuned, because if Wideman is in the fold, it would be good news but it could also have a negative effect on the Bruins financial flexibility as free agency kicks off.

If Wideman were to go to arbitration, then that would mean the Bruins lose their buyout rights granted to them via a player filing for arbitration. This would leave the Bruins, unless they could find a GM gullible enough to take them, that Boston would be stuck with the combined $8.8 million that Glen Murray and Manny Fernandez put on their cap. With Murray and Fernandez anchoring them down at about $50 million, there’s not much room there to sign a Marian Hossa or Brian Campbell.

In other free agent news, Brian Rolston may just get his wish to play for the team he cheered for growing up in Michigan, the Red Wings. Apparently, the Wings are very interested in Rolston as well. The Wings are also still trying hard to sign Brad Stuart but if they fail, keep an eye on Wade Redden (Boston still very interested) and Brian Campbell (New Jersey, Atlanta, Rangers, Penguins and Bruins all still interested).

As for the biggest name out there, Mats Sundin, Montreal seems slim but the Habs are still looking to make a splash so count them in on everything!