- Yahoo Sports NHL: Oilers GM Craig MacTavish said that Nail Yakupov is becoming a distraction, but nothing has changed, so don’t expect a trade. TSN Radio: Darren Dreger said that MacTavish is trying move Ales Hemsky and not Yakupov.
“There’s nothing changed from our perspective on Yak,” MacTavish said after the NHL GMs meeting at the league office in Toronto. “The only thing I will say is that adversity, in my mind, is something that helps spur development. Yak’s facing a little bit of adversity, but there aren’t too many players of that age that haven’t. That’s really all I have to say about it.”
- ESPN: Yakupov’s agent Igor Larionov.
“I’m going to Edmonton on Thursday to watch a couple games. Obviously a lot of questions, and I want to have some answers,” Larionov said.
“Let the kid play, enjoy the game. He’s a hard-working kid. He’s not lazy. He’s got to be part of that team. You have to understand he’s only 20 years old, he needs some support,” Larionov said. “He’s a goal-scorer. You’ve got to understand that and let the kid develop and play.”
“I asked Craig, I said, ‘If you guys not happy with him or you have no room for him … we’re willing to make a move. Any team,’ ” Larionov said. “That happens and that’s part of life. Let’s move on.”
- Renaud Lavoie: Preliminary contract talks between the Canadiens and defensemen P.K. Subban and Rafael Diaz started yesterday.
- Ryan Dixon of SportsNet: Three players who could help the Lightning fill the Stamkos void: Mike Cammalleri, Marian Gaborik (and move Teddy Purcell to center) or David Desharnais.
- Chris Stevenson: Stevenson wonders if the Lightning would go after Mike Cammalleri.
- James Mirtle: Brian Burke thinks that Bobby Ryan likely ended up with the Senators as Tim Murray was on the Ducks staff when they were doing their homework on him.
- Dave Stubbs: Scouting the Canadiens – Lightning game: Stars, Coyotes, Blue Jackets, Blues, Jets, Canucks, Blackhawks, Wild and Senators.
- Adrian Dater: Scouting the Avalanche – Hurricanes game: Blackhawks, Ducks, Lightning, Flames and Capitals.