On Kris Vesteeg …
Darren Dreger: Have been told that 12 teams have contacted pending free agent Kris Versteeg. The Calgary Flames continue to talk with him about coming back next season.
On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Brian Hedger of The Althletic Chicago: Source saying that the Blackhawks could look to bring Patrick Sharp back to the organization on a low-risk deal.
Brian Hedger: Concerns on Sharp are his age, declining production and that he has had a hip injury.
On the Dallas Stars …
Sean Shapiro of NHL.com: Stars Jim Nill hasn’t ruled out bringing free agents Patrick Sharp and Ales Hemsky back next season.
“I want to sit down with both of them,” Nill said Saturday at United Center after the 2017 NHL Draft presented by adidas. “Really, both situations were injury situations. If they weren’t injured, they are guys we may have signed last year.”
Mark Stepneski of Between the Blue Lines: (before Methot trade) GM Jim Nill whether to make a trade or use free agency to fill a hole.
“Usually there is a balance, depending on who you are looking for and the market,” Nill said. “A lot of these trades the past few days are cap deals with teams where the money doesn’t add up. It’s going to be interesting to see how that balances out over the next couple weeks here. We’re in a good position. Our core is set, and we’ve got a couple of holes to fill on the wings and that.”
Nill plans on speaking with UFAs Sharp and Hemsky. They could use some more scoring on the wing. If they can’t find any scorers this offseason, they could look internally at Jason Dickinson, Remi Elie, Gemel Smith and others.
Whether Valeri Nichushkin will return next year to the Stars or remain in the KHL is still not known.