On the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers …
Jim Matheson: If the Anaheim Ducks are looking for a high-end left winger, and if they would be interested in Edmonton Oilers winger Taylor Hall, would the Oilers be good with defenseman Cam Fowler and something else?
On the Colorado Avalanche …
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Don’t count on the Colorado Avalanche being active in free agency come July 1st.
“We’re not going to be looking that day,” Sakic said. “As the summer goes on, we’ll see what good fits are. But on the July 1, don’t expect us to go after any big long-term deals. Within our own, we’re going to discuss what we have within, but outside on July 1 we’re not going to go after a big splash.”
It appears then that Nikita Zadorov and Chris Bigras figure into their blueline plans for next year.
They are expected to re-sign defenseman Tyson Barrie.
Sakic on their rumored interest in Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba.
“I don’t ever comment on rumors,” Sakic said when asked about his interest in Trouba. “There’s a lot of speculation out there. All I can tell you is we’ve had conversations with different teams and we want to try to improve our crop.”
On Offer Sheets …
Craig Custance of ESPN: Source saying that the Blackhawks traded Brandon Saad to the Columbus Blue Jackets last year in part because of a potential offer sheet from the Montreal Canadiens.
The Sharks were planning on offer sheeting Martin Jones last year if they couldn’t trade for him.
The threat of a Dougie Hamilton offer sheet partially forced the Bruins to trade him to the Flames.
With the salary cap flattening out and teams looking for young talent, some GMs are thinking that offer sheets could come into play this offseason.
“I think they’re in play. I do,” said Bruins GM Don Sweeney. “I think the cap and it being flat, I think everything is just compressed all the way across the board. Some teams have a little flexibility, that’s going to get eaten up in a hurry, once you get into your own RFA negotiations … you have to forecast all that stuff. Other teams will be sitting in a situation. The agents are patient that way.”
The Blue Jackets have already said they’d match an offer sheet for Seth Jones, same with the Wild for Matt Dumba. Flames GM Brad Treliving on if he’d match an offer sheet for Sean Monahan.
“Yeah,” he said. “It’s not even a f—ing question.”
Sportsnet: Average annual value Compensation
Less than $1,239,226 – Nothing
Over $1,239,226 to $1,877,615 – Third-round pick
Over $1,877,615 to $3,755,233 – Second-round pick
Over $3,755,233 to $5,632,847 – First and third-round picks
Over $5,632,847 to $7,510,464 – First, second and third-round picks
Over $7,510,464 to $9,388,080 – Two firsts, a second and third-round picks
Over $9,388,080 – Four first-round picks