On the Montreal Canadiens …
Eric Engels of Sportsnet: TVA’s Renaud Lavoie reported that some within the Canadiens organization don’t think they need to fire Michel Therrien and his staff.
Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said be wouldn’t comment on the report, but not before saying “don’t believe everything you hear.”
Therrien said he hadn’t talked to Bergevin about the future of his job.
Marc Crawford and Guy Boucher are looking for a NHL head coaching positions and both speak French.
On the Calgary Flames …
Eric Francis of Sportsnet: Francis wonders about if the Flames win the draft lottery and select Auston Matthews.
They could could go with a Sean Monahan and Matthews down the middle and move Sam Bennett to the wing. Along with Johnny Gaudreau, it would give the Flames two good scoring lines.
The Flames would also then have extra money to spend on a top-six winger since Matthews would have a salary under $1 million.
The Flames also need to spend some money a starting goalie.
If the Flames win the lottery, they could also consider shopping the first overall pick, and the Coyotes could be interested. Maybe the Flames-Coyotes could swap picks, with the Flames getting a prospect or two or possibly even Max Domi as part of the package.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
News 1130 Sports: Ben Hutton and the Canucks can start talking contract extension after July 1st. Hutton could sign a bridge deal that takes him to unrestricted free agency, or sign a long-term deal. Hutton will be a restricted free agent his contract expires after next season, so the Canucks can wait on a deal.
News 1130 Sports: The Canucks and Sven Baertschi haven’t had any contract extension talks yet.
On Steven Stamkos …
James Mirtle: Steven Stamkos on the trade deadline: “At the end of the day I knew I wasn’t going anywhere.”