In New Jersey, Tom Gulitti noted Blues Senior Advisor to the GM Martin Brodeur "might still return to the Devils some day to work in their front office, but he does not anticipate that happening anytime soon" with team President Lou Lamoriello no longer acting as GM. Brodeur sees the organization "going in a bit of a different direction after hiring Ray Shero as GM last week and had already been talking" with the Blues about remaining in their front office. Brodeur said of his first year with the Blues, "It was a little overwhelming at first when I started it. I think I get the concept a little more now. I've still got a lot of stuff to learn, but it was good" (NORTHJERSEY.com, 5/11).
STAYING IN KEY? In St. Louis, Joe Strauss notes while Blues coach Ken Hitchcock is not under contract for next season and "remains in limbo," team Owner Tom Stillman "did little to clarify" that status while addressing the media yesterday. Stillman: "We're taking a harder look this year." Meanwhile, Stillman said that financial pressures "have eased" since the hiring of President & CEO of Business Operations Chris Zimmerman in June of last year, and he "believes the franchise will again spend to the NHL's raised salary cap" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/13).
NO INSULT TO INJURY: In Jacksonville, Ryan O'Halloran notes the Jaguars yesterday signed third overall draft pick DE Dante Fowler to a four-year contract, "four days after sustaining a season-ending" ACL injury. A source said that the deal -- "valued at $23,490,242, including a $15,343,812 signing bonus -- is fully guaranteed." The Jaguars gave Fowler the "same contract as if he were going to play this year, an act of good faith and good business that will keep the club in good standing with NFL agents as well as future free agents" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 5/13).
GETTING A HALL PASS: In Green Bay, Richard Ryman reported the Packers yesterday "sold about 67,000 tickets" to view Brett Favre's July induction into the team's HOF "on the TundraVision video scoreboards in Lambeau Field." Favre is "scheduled to make an appearance in the bowl before the dinner, which is sold out." Tickets "were $4 each with a limit of eight per order" and went on sale at 10:00am CT, selling out by 6:00pm (GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.com, 5/12).
