On no salary cap number
Eric Engels: “I mean, the GMs not having the final cap number prior to the first round of the draft is one of the most NHL things ever. Perhaps something to get fixed by next year? Geez.”
On the trade talk and lack of trades
John Vogl: Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill on no trades: “One theory I have is just that we do have time until free agency begins. It’s not as if it’s going to happen here Monday or Tuesday. There’s a whole nother week before free agency begins. I think you are still going to see a lot of trades go on next week”
Sarah McLellan: Minnesota Wild GM Paul Fenton said that there was lots of trade talk but “I do not have a trade on the table right now that I can say anything about.”
Fenton doesn’t think that the salary cap uncertainty was a factor. They are okay with the wear they sit with regards to their cap space.
Pat Steinberg: Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving said he wasn’t really surprised that things ended up being quiet on the trade front during the first round of the draft.
With teams potentially have salary cap issues, it makes things difficult to get done.
Chris Johnston: Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford on the lack of trades during the first round: “The draft is so strong that I don’t think people wanted to move their picks.”
Ben Kuzma: Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning on trade speculation: “Yeah, we tried. We were looking at a lot of different things and I’m going back to my office and keep working at it and I’m hoping to get something done. We’re still looking at some things.”
- Ben Kuzma: Benning continued: “There has been a lot of chatter and maybe it’s going to happen tomorrow (Saturday) with a bunch of deals. I think there’s going to be quite a bit of movement — it just didn’t happen today.”
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: GM’s were trying to make moves and talks will carry over into today. Some teams have multiple second round picks and make a move.
The salary cap not being announced takes a lot of the blame for trades not happening last night as it paralyzed some talks.
The $500,000 difference for either the $81.5 or $82 million cap hit is a big deal for some teams according to one GM.