- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: (from a chat) Heika thinks the Stars could look at a right handed center in the draft or on the right wing. Elias Lindholm will likely be gone by the time they pick. Sean Monahan, Bo Horvat, Frederik Gauthier and Alex Wennberg could be options. The Stars might be willing to move up in the order to get the player they want. At some point the Stars will have to look at trading a defenseman. They may need to turn them into a more physical and/or a right handed defenseman or depth upfront. Defensemen Trevor Daley, Alex Goligoski, Stephane Robidas, Philip Larsen, Joe Morrow and Kevin Connauton are similar players. It may take moving two or three and replacing with one. Stephane Robidas, Trevor Daley or Alex Goligoski could be candidates to be moved. Jordie Benn is a UFA and likely not coming back.
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Ryan Miller has put a for sale sign on his Buffalo townhouse.
“I don’t know which way it’s going to go, so I’m not going to talk like I’m gone,” Miller said today. “I think I’ve got a lot more hockey in me, so being able to just kind of reflect and enjoy a moment is nice, but it’s going to be another hockey game and I have to prepare and compete.”
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: TSN’s Bob McKenzie said on Wednesday that the Oilers could consider trading their 1st round pick this year.
“If you’re going to be bold, that’s certainly a bold move. What the Edmonton Oilers really don’t need is another 18-year-old blue chipper. They need some help right now and using that first round pick as currency could get them that help right now.”
“They may use the pick, but they may try and parlay it into something immediate.”
McKenzie added that if they keep the pick, they could look for a strong, physical center or a defenseman. Defenseman Darnell Nurse would be one possibility.
TSN’s Darren Dreger added that GM Craig MacTavish may look to make as many as six changes:
“He wants to upgrade in all areas, starting in goal.”
Devan Dubnyk has been OK, Dreger said, “but the Oilers will look to improve.”
Dreger speculates goalies Ryan Miller, Jonathan Bernier or Mike Smith. On defense they could look at Kevin Shattenkirk, Andrew Ference or Mark Streit. At forward they could look at Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, David Clarkson and Matt Hendricks.
- Josh Cooper: The Predators send Filip Forsberg to Milwaukee of the AHL.