- Mike Johnston of Sportsnet: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson on their 2nd overall draft pick: (Audio linkfor interview)
“We’ve certainly listened to people. We’ve had a couple of expressions of interest on the pick in terms of moving down,” Howson told The Morning Show on Sportsnet 960 The Fan on Thursday. “We wouldn’t want to move too far down so we’ll just see how it plays out next week. Traditionally, and if history repeats itself, teams get a little more serious about exchanging picks as we get closer to the draft on the draft floor.”
“We’d be open to any suggestions,” Howson said. “It’s not an easy trade to trade out of the two slot, or one slot or three slot for that matter.”
“When we put our final list together, which we’ll do next week, we’ll know we’re getting one of our first two players … It was a little frustrating when we did lose the lottery to Edmonton but in the grand scheme of things we know we’re going to get a really good player and we have to make sure we do our job and select the right player.”
- Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen: 6 players that will be on the Senators draft radar if they are still around when the Sens draft at #15 are: Sebastien Collberg (RW), Hampus Lindholm (D), Pontus Aberg (LW), Olli Maatta (D), Cody Ceci (D) and Radek Faksa (C).
- Stephen Whyno via twitter: Capitals GM George McPhee said he’s thinking about keeping the 11th and 16th overall picks in next weeks draft, believes they can get some difference makers there. Brian McNally via twitter: The Capitals are still deciding on whether they will take the Bruins 2nd round pick (54th overall) or the Avalanche’s 2013 pick. Today is the deadline.
- Chip Alexanders via twitter: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford: “I’d prefer not to (trade the pick). But if the right player was available and the right deal, we would do it.”
