Ducks and RFA Ritchie getting close on a deal
TSN: Bob McKenzie says that the Anaheim Ducks and restricted free agent Nick Ritchie are getting closer to putting together a three-year bridge contract. It could happen in the next day or two.
Eric Stephens: Multiple sources confirm McKenzie’s report that the Ducks and Ritchie are closing in on a likely three-year contract.
The Bruins could look for an experience forward eventually
TSN: Darren Dreger said on Insider Trading that though it may be on the back burner at the moment for Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney, they may look to add a veteran forward.
“They would like to add an experienced forward, preferably a centre and maybe dangle one of their young guys. Anders Bjork’s name is potentially out there and likewise Danton Heinen. Not saying that those players are being shopped but maybe there’s a team that has experienced forwards that they want to swap out with a younger more inexpensive player.”
Rangers will be watching the Blue Jackets and Panarin
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Darren Dreger was on TSN 1200 and was asked about how long the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers could be patient with their rebuild. The Rangers have already been tied to pending Columbus Blue Jackets UFA Artemi Panarin.
Dreger thinks the Rangers GM Jeff Gorton could look at being a little more active in the second half of the season.
“There is no way they’re not keeping a real close eye on on what’s going on with Artemi Panarin and the Columbus Blue Jackets. My sense is that Panarin, wherever his new address is – if it’s in-season or if it’s as a free agent – he wants to be either somewhere near the East Coast or somewhere on the West Coast. So I can’t imagine that he wouldn’t be interested in the New York Rangers. So there’s a name that will be attached to New York until something proves otherwise.”