On the NHL Draft …
Craig Custance of ESPN: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekelainen on trading their No. 3 draft pick.
“I’ve told everyone who has inquired, you’d better blow my socks off before we get to any kind of discussion about it,” Kekalainen said. “I’ve said this a million times, Wayne Gretzky got traded, so anything is possible. I don’t see it as likely.”
If the Blue Jackets draft Jesse Puljajarvi, draft movement could start with the Oilers. They’ve already received calls. Instead of drafting a defenseman at No. 4, they might be better off trading down or using the pick in a package for a top-pairing defenseman.
The Sabres at No. 8 have 12 picks and could use some of them to get into the top five. They could use a left handed defenseman like Olli Juolevi.
The Hurricanes own the No. 13 and No. 21 picks, and have seven picks in the first three rounds. The Hurricanes also have the cap space to take on a contract like Pavel Datsyuk if they get a good asset along with the cap hit. They could package one of their firsts for someone that could immediately help them.
The Wild’s opportunity to win may be small and their No. 15 pick could be in play. They could use a top-six forward, and Larry Brooks mentioned their interest in Derek Stepan. They could package their first with someone like Jonas Brodin or Matt Dumba to get a top end forward.
Ideal case for the Coyotes would be to draft a defenseman at No. 7 and trade their No. 20 for a young defenseman. The Coyotes could take a run at Ducks Sami Vatanen.
Bruins GM Don Sweeney needs to improve his blueline.
“Our 29/30 pick will be in play,” Sweeney said. “I’m also comfortable picking. I think the first-round is really quality, and I’m good in the No. 14 hole. I think we’ll get a good player there.”
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Darren Dreger on TSN 690 when discussing P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens, who has a no-trade clause kicking in on July 1st.
“What I know is this. Very recently, I reached out to a couple of general managers who I know have had some contact with Bergevin over time. One in particular, a Western Conference general manager, flat-out said he asked Bergevin about the availability of P.K. Subban. Now, this is probably in the last two, three weeks, maybe a bit longer than that. And he was flat-out told that he wasn’t going to be available.
“But a lot can change. If the right offer surfaces, Bergevin doing his job has to listen. If that opportunity surfaces between now and July 1, then obviously the Montreal Canadiens consider something.
“But I don’t believe that there’s anything they’re willing to consider that makes sense at this stage.”
