On the Arizona Coyotes …
Luke Fox of Sporstnet: Coyotes GM John Chayka said they plan on drafting the best player available and is open to moving up or down.
Chayka said they also need a ‘play-now centre.’
“We’ve got as deep of a young forward group as there is,” he said. “In the short-term, the centre position needs to be addressed, but I don’t think that’ll be addressed at the draft this year.”
Chayka on if Shane Doan will play next year or retire.
“Shane is the Arizona Coyotes,” Chayka said. “He’s still listening to his body right now. We’ll see how it goes.”
On the Florida Panthers …
Luke Fox of Sporstnet: Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon likes their AHL defensive depth.
“Our depth chart looks solid on the back end,” Tallon said. “If we had any need at all, it’s a natural goal scorer.”
The Panthers have interviewed six people for their vacant head coaching position, including Michel Therrien.
Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: Aside from interviewing coaches, GM Tallon is in the processes of determining if the 45-year old Jaromir Jagr can still contribute to the team.
“It’s a matter of what’s best for Jaromir,” Tallon told SportsNet Canada on Saturday. “He had another good year, 46 points and played all 82 games without Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau.
“If it makes sense for both of us, we’ll probably do something.”
Tallon is scheduled to meet this week with Jagr’s agent Peter Svoboda at the World Championship. They could discuss a one-year deal.
Jagr, Jakub Kindl and Thomas Vanek are pending UFAs for the Panthers. Don’t expect any to be signed before the expansion draft as they would have to be protected.
Jagr played all 82 games last season and was fourth in team goals with 16 and fourth in points with 46. He was tied for the team lead with eight power play goals.