TAMPA, Fla. -- This time of year, action picks up around the league. We made a few calls Thursday and heard a few things:

BOUDREAU SAFE IN ANAHEIM

There has been speculation about the fate of Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau, but we understand that he is safe. And frankly, I don’t think he was ever in trouble.

General manager Bob Murray raised eyebrows when he told local media in Anaheim he needed time to think, but I think that was taken out of context. Like any other GM after an emotional seven-game series in the conference finals, he just needed time to collect his thoughts. He’s evaluating everything from top to bottom, period -- players included.

In any case, Boudreau will return to behind the bench next season.

AND JULIEN, TOO

It’s been a lot of waiting, but the expectation is that new Bruins GM Don Sweeney will announce Friday in Buffalo at the draft combine that Boston head coach Claude Julien and his staff will be back.

Julien certainly had to wait a while to get a decision, but all appears well now. Smart call by Sweeney.

THE GOALIE CAROUSEL

There are teams in need of a goalie and teams willing to trade some, so it’s about finding a match.

The Ottawa Senators, sources say, already have firm trade offers on the table for Robin Lehner, and also have teams calling about Craig Anderson.

While it’s more likely they move Lehner, the Senators have not discouraged teams from making offers on Anderson.

The Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, it’s believed, are among several teams that have expressed interest in Lehner.

The Sharks and Oilers are going to end up competing for some of the same names. For example, sources say both clubs have also shown interest in Cam Talbot of the New York Rangers. Talbot has another season at $1.45 million on his deal -- cheap, cheap, cheap for a guy who showed he could carry the load when Henrik Lundqvist was hurt this season. The Rangers may move Talbot to help alleviate some of their cap logjam. They would be seeking future assets for Talbot.

It’s also believed the Oilers have approached the Ducks about John Gibson, so in other words, Edmonton is inquiring about all the young goalies who may or may not be available, which is exactly what they should be doing. I’m not really sure, though, that Anaheim is interested in making a move there at this point.