briere update+more

For the record, the Buffalo Sabres are hoping Chris Drury comes back next season. If that statement does not seem all that newsy, you should know that it was, in fact, news to their co-captain. Drury made it clear Monday that he would prefer to stay with the Sabres rather than explore unrestricted free agency.

Daniel Briere reiterated Monday he wants to remain a Buffalo Sabre, and the free agent-to-be indicated he'd accept the famed hometown discount.

The Canadiens' on-again, off-again pursuit of Russian defenseman Alexei Yemelin is off again. The Canadiens had hoped that Yemelin might become a free agent, what with his Russian team, Lada Togliatti, having financial problems.

If goalie Dominik Hasek wants to play next season, the Red Wings are all for it. Hasek did not commit one way or another to playing another season after Tuesday's series-ending 4-3 loss to Anaheim.

Penguins general manager Ray Shero and agent Rick Curran talked yesterday morning but reached no deals for the team to re-sign veteran wingers Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts.Roberts has said he would consider returning but would like something longer than a one year contract.

The Red Wings do need scoring help and must choose better than they did when they picked up Todd Bertuzzi and Kyle Calder. That said, for all his health concerns, Bertuzzi is worth another short-term shot.

There is no doubt now Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk have cemented their standing and ensured the Red Wings' future. Even before their 3rd-period flourish the other night, Zetterberg and Datsyuk had taken leaps as playoff performers. Amid many revelations, that is the most important, by far.