On Nikita Kucherov …
Igor Eronko: Tampa Bay Lightning’s RFA Nikita Kucherov’s agent: ‘Certainly Tarasenko would be a comparable out of whole bunch of contracts out there.’ Kucherov’s agent also mentions Predators Filip Forsberg.
On Kris Russell …
Ryan Kennedy: Have heard that a deal for Kris Russell could take a couple weeks as there are lots of options for him to consider – team, term, dollars, etc.
On Peter Mueller …
Adrian Dater: Peter Mueller is hoping to get a PTO with a NHL team. He won’t be getting one from one of his former teams – the Colorado Avalanche.
On the Winnipeg Jets …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff was on TSN 1290 yesterday, and he wouldn’t give up much with regards to RFA defenseman Jacob Trouba.
“It is always a difficult thing in my situation here because negotiations are – they’re a sacred process, they really should be,” said Cheveldayoff. “Negotiations are tough. I think whether it’s obviously a negotiation of a player contract or when you’re negotiating your own contract, there’s a level of things – the back and forth and everything that goes on – that has to remain private.”
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Ansar Khan of MLive: Even with Red Wings forwards Teemu Pulkkinen and Tomas Jurco starting the season on the IR, the odds are against Anthony Mantha making their opening day roster. He may need an excellent camp and an injury or two, and would need to be in their top-nine. Mantha is waiver exempt.
Ansar Khan of MLive: Since the Red Wings aren’t likely to risk putting defenseman Xavier Ouellet on waivers to send to the AHL, he’ll likely start the season with the Wings. Ouellet is likely their seventh defenseman, ahead of Ryan Sproul. Sproul would also require waivers to be sent to the AHL.