Arizona Coyotes GM on Oliver Ekman-Larsson …
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Asked Coyotes GM John Chayka about Ekman-Larsson with the trade deadline approaching.
“Yeah, I’ll reiterate my previous statements that I’m neither listening nor talking about Oliver Ekman-Larsson other than to his agent to try and get an extension done or at least have discussions to see where he’s at,’’ Chayka said.
Josh Bailey‘s signing won’t affect John Tavares …
John Shannon: Have been told that John Bailey’s contract extension won’t have any effect on the Islanders being able to re-sign John Tavares. Tavares has told them that he wants to wait until after the season to meet with owner Scott Malkin.
Buffalo Sabres looking to move a defenseman …
Die By The Blade: Darren Dreger on Sabres GM Jason Botterill: “He is working extremely hard to move Josh Gorges.”
Maple Leafs on adding more depth at center or elsewhere …
Jonas Siegel: Coach Mike Babcock on the possibility of adding more depth at center or elsewhere before the deadline:
“There’s no tree out there. The other thing, it’s called trade. It’s not like Christmas where someone dropps off gifts. It isn’t like that. You’ve got to give something to get something. If we can make a deal that’s going to help our team we’re going to make that deal. that can be short-term and long-term. We’re not going to do anything foolish. I know that for sure.”
Carolina Hurricanes coach Bill Peters doesn’t need to pitch GM Ron Francis …
Cory Lavalette: Coach Bill Peters when asked about how he pitches GM Ron Francis about adding players:
“I don’t make a pitch, they konw I want to add, right? They’ve read that, I’ve told them, I don’t have to make a pitch. They know exactly what I want to add or where are the areas that I’ve suggested that we can improve our hockey team. There’s no pitch. It’s either we make an addition or we make a deletion or we stand pat – those are really the only three things that can happen right? So that’s where that’s at.”