On the Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars, Eric Staal and Arizona Coyotes …
- Craig Custance of ESPN: The Canadiens are shopping Dale Weise. The asking price according to one source is a second and third round draft pick. Penguins GM Jim Rutherford gave up a second and fourth round pick for Daniel Winnik, a move Rutherford admits wasn’t one of his wisest trades.
Mike Heika mentioned in a chat that the Stars might be willing to move Valeri Nichushkin in the right deal. A Stars source said Nuchushkin isn’t going anywhere.
Mailbag questions …
The Rangers make sense for Eric Staal, but it would depend on the asking price for him. Don’t see how the Rangers could give up another first round pick. The Wild are another team that would be interested in Staal.
Indications are that the Coyotes will move Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes need to improve their blueline.
On the Washington Capitals …
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Mid Atlantic: (mailbag) Don’t see the Capitals trading Marcus Johansson now. Three months ago the answer would have been yes. Question will be what is he worth when they negotiate is next deal. He’s currently making $3.75 million.
Think the Capitals are interested in Dan Hamhuis, but his $4.5 million cap hit may be too much. Could see them adding a depth defenseman like they did last year with Tim Gleason. Right handed options could be Roman Polak or Kevan Miller. Gormley wonders if they would consider signing a depth forward Scott Gomez.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs and Arizona Coyotes …
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: A scout on Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul.
“There’s nothing wrong with his contract. I could live with that. I can’t live with the fact he can’t stay healthy.”
There is a lot of interest in Leafs defenseman Roman Polak. Thought around the league is that it would take a second round pick and a prospect to get him.
The Coyotes will go right until the deadline in an attempt to re-sign Mikkel Boedker. If they can’t get a deal done, they’ll move him.