On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: The Coyotes still need to name an assistant GM. Options could include Les Jackson, Bill Guerin, Jason Botterill and Tom Kurvers.
The Coyotes desperately need to add defensemen to their system and NHL roster. Could do so through the draft and through trades.
GM John Chayka will look at options of moving up and down at the draft, including talking to the Toronto Maple Leafs about the first overall pick.
The Coyotes could use some added depth in net.
They are expected to make qualifying offers to Tobias Rieder, Connor Murphy, Michael Stone, Klas Dahlbeck and Louis Domingue. Decisions on Kevin Connauton and Jarred Tinordi still need to be made. They are not expected to make a qualifying offer to Sergei Plotnikov.
The Coyotes would like to add one or two top-four defensemen in free agency, as well as bringing some scoring help on the wing.
Jimmy Murphy: GM Chayka is definitely looking to make some moves by trade and/or free agency. The Coyotes have the prospects to offer in trades.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Darren Dreger on TSN 1260 on the Edmonton Oilers, if they’ll be in the mix to make a significant move, and the draft.
“And then you have to look at the big names in play here. Edmonton may have a couple. Eberle’s name has been out there forever. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ name has been out there. I’ll tell you what – during the Stanley Cup Final, Taylor Hall’s name became more of a name of interest than the other two, for obvious reasons.
“And you’ve got the No. 4 pick. When I checked with Peter in just doing my due diligence on picks 1 through 5, well the sense is 1 of course isn’t going anywhere. Toronto is going to draft Matthews. Highly, highly unlikely Cheveldayoff moves No. 2, because he’ll likely grab onto Patrik Laine very quickly. No. 3? Yeah, that one is there. Jarmo Kekalainen could very well hold onto it. I know he’s had a couple of aggressive offers on the table for that pick. Not convinced he’s going to move it, but he’s listening. And so is Peter Chiarelli. Chiarelli said he’s not necessarily shopping that pick, but would he move it? Of course he would move it.”
