On the Colorado Avalanche …
Eurolanche: The Avalanche had some talks with KHL defenseman Andrei Mironov last week.
Mironov was draft 101st overall in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. He’s 22 years old.
On the Vegas Golden Knights …
Craig Custance: Around March 1st, Vegas will be able to start making player transactions. That includes making trades that are related to the expansion draft.
On the New York Islanders …
Brett Cyrgalis: Gary Bettman said that the Islanders owners are “committed to New York,” but Bettman admits that there are issues at Barclays and that they are “looking very seriously at what their options are.”
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman won’t be blowing up his roster, which he shouldn’t, and he prefers to add to his core as opposed to breaking it up.
It’s a long-shot for the Lightning to make the playoffs, so it does make sense for Yzerman to consider moves for the expansion draft and their salary cap issues this offseason.
The Lightning will likely see what they can get for Ben Bishop. He does have a partial no-movement clause.
If they don’t think they can afford all three of their big pending RFAs – Tyler Johnson, Jonathan Drouin and Ondrej Palat – they could listen to offers on Johnson.
Nikita Nesterov‘s trade doesn’t mean a roster spot opened up Slater Koekkoek. Koekkoek is still waiver eligible and is better off playing more minutes in the AHL.
“He’s an important part of our future, and I see a very bright future for him still,” Yzerman said. “So if we need a left(-handed) shot or we feel Slater will come up and play a lot, then I’ll bring him back up.”
Winger Ryan Callahan hasn’t been asked yet to waive his no-movement clause for the expansion draft in June.