On the Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues …
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Montreal Canadiens have been moving Alex Galchenyuk between center and wing, he’ll be an RFA at the end of the season and is two years away from being an unrestricted free agent. Some of his comparables are getting a long-term contracts around $6 to $7 million.
The Canadiens are looking to move some money out, David Desharnais and/or Tomas Plekanec. Something bigger could happen. Could the Canadiens consider trading Galchenyuk for Matt Duchene, who is a couple years older but at $6 million for two more years?
Ducks GM Bob Murray is telling teams he’s in no rush to trade a defenseman. The Ducks can sign Cam Fowler to a contract extension after July 1st. Teams who were interested in trading for him, or signing him as a free agent next year are thinking the Ducks will look to lock him up.
Nick Kypreos brought up over the weekend the possibility of the Penguins being interested in Matt Duchene. could also see Gabriel Landeskog being a fit in Pittsburgh. The Penguins will have Trevor Daley, Patric Hornqvist and Chris Kunitz coming off the books in the next two years – all are over $3.3 million. Kyreos mentioned Derrick Pouliot as trade bait, but it may take Olli Maatta.
If the Ottawa Senators are able to acquire Matt Duchene, how do they afford Kyle Turris next year?
Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman on pending free agent backup goalie Scott Darling.
“We’d love to keep him,” Bowman said. “And he’s told us he’d love to stay. He’s come a long way. We’ll see where we are after the season.” He’s certainly as ready as Talbot was for the Edmonton challenge.
Buffalo Sabres pending UFA defenseman Dmitry Kulikov said he’s finally healthy, but he won’t practice every day.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets are among the teams that have shown interest in Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brian Boyle. The Leafs tried to sign him back in 2014. Mentioned on the radio that Boyle could land the Lightning a first round pick depending on demand. One executive.
“How many times do I have to tell you that teams are going to trade their firsts? This draft is terrible!”
The Blues still have some time to decide on pending UFA Patrik Berglund, whose stock is rising of late.
The Senators, Lightning, Maple Leafs and Canucks are believed to be among the teams interested in CHL free agent Zack MacEwen of Gatineau (QMJHL).
