On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan: Shooting down the rumor that the Arizona Coyotes are interested in New York Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak. A league source is saying that the Coyotes have zero interest in Halak.
On Ilya Kovalchuk …
Aivis Kalnins: Word is that SKA St. Petersburgh have started contract extension talks with winger Ilya Kovalchuk. This doesn’t meant that Kovalchuk is going to re-sign with SKA, or even remain in the KHL. Kovalchuk may be looking to follow Alex Radulov’s path. Kovalchuk wants to play in the NHL, but it’s up to the NHL.
On Viktor Tikhonov …
Aivis Kalnins: Forward Viktor Tikhonov is getting closer to a contract extension with SKA.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: Not a surprise that the Vancouver Canucks are looking for scoring help after they’ve only scored 17 goals in their first games. GM Jim Benning as basically been looking for scoring help since he arrived in town.
They are looking for a young, strong, 20 goal scorer.
During the offseason, teams were asking the Canucks for Jannik Hansen and Chris Tanev. Hansen is on their top line, so they are not going to move him. The Canucks wouldn’t bring up Tanev’s name when they were talking to the Montreal Canadiens about P.K. Subban, so they are not going to move him for a 20 goal scorer.
They aren’t going to move Bo Horvat or any of their top prospects. Alex Edler might make sense to move, but he won’t waive his no-trade clause.
The Canucks will get a second round pick either this year or next from the Columbus Blue Jackets as compensation for John Tortorella, so they could move a second round pick.
A second round pick and a couple prospects probably isn’t enough to get Evander Kane out of Buffalo.
