On Alexander Radulov and the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Slava Malamud: Inside sources are saying that the Alexander Radulov and Toronto Maple Leafs rumor is part of the rumor war between SKA and CSKA. There is no truth to the rumor.
Aivis Kalnins: “You know KHL is crap when there’s a team paying media to make up rumours about another team”
Chris Nichols: Bob McKenzie: “I’m not sure of the #Leafs’ interest in Radulov, to be honest. They may have some, but I’m not aware of it.”
On College Free Agent Alex Lyon …
Bob McKenzie: There are 12 or more teams that are interested in Yale junior goalie Alex Lyon. He’s not likely to make a decision until next week. Lyon and his advisor(s) are going to reduce the list to something more manageable, and then decide if he wants to go pro or not. Due to the amount of teams that are interested, it’s more likely that he’ll go pro, though nothing is final.
On the New York Rangers …
Corey Pronman: SKA was eliminated from the KHL playoffs yesterday. The Rangers are now able to try and sign prospect Pavel Buchnevich.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post: One of the arguments against the Rangers re-signing pending UFA Keith Yandle is that coach Alain Vigneault was using Yandle on the third pairing and second power play unit, and that it doesn’t make sense pay $6 million a season for that. Things have changed and Yandle is on the second pairing and top power play unit.
The Rangers now need to start thinking if they can afford to re-sign Yandle or not.
Dan Boyle’s $4.5 million will be coming off the books.
If they are able to re-sign Yandle, that might mean that Brady Skjei has to spend another season in the AHL unless they trade or buyout Marc Staal. Staal would be entering the second year of his six-year deal that pays him $5.7 million a year. Staal has a no-movement clause through 2017-18. Yandle, Skjei and Staal play on the left side.
The Rangers could also consider trading or buying out Dan Girardi. Girardi is right handed though and won’t change their depth issue on the left side. Girardi also has a no-movement clause.