On the Dallas Stars …
Mike Heika: Guessing the Stars are trying to trade Cody Eakin. If they are not able to find a market for him, that would probably be enough to convince them that he shouldn’t be protected.
On the San Jose Sharks …
Curtis Pashelka of the San Jose Mercury News: Reports over the weekend had the Sharks as one of the teams that is interested in Ilya Kovalchuk.
The Sharks were 19th in scoring last year and their power play was 25th overall.
With at least six teams interested, the asking price from the Devils won’t be cheap.
The Sharks currently have about $59 million committed for 17 players next year.
They may have to send a veteran/money and at least one top tier prospect to the Devils in a sign-and-trade.
The cap could remain flat around $73 million and they haven’t made decisions on UFAs Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Martin Jones are expected to get contract extensions this offseason.
On the Philadelphia Flyers and Vegas Golden Knights …
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Daily News: Vegas GM George McPhee was with the Capitals when Michal Neuvirth was there. McPhee said they use to describe him as “technically perfect” and athletic who has now matured, “and he’s at that point where he can be really good.”
The Flyers could leave Neuvirth unprotected for the expansion draft. McPhee was asked at the combine if Neuvirth would be high on his list if he were made available.
“We’ll see. I’m certainly not going to talk about who we might be interested in,” he said. He added that it’s tough to evaluate until he can see all the players who will be available.
McPhee added that most teams have been in contact and “have been really forthright in what they want to do and who they’ll probably expose and who they’d like to protect. We’re just trying to find ways to accommodate each other. . . . There will be some deals.”