Avas looking for help on the blueline
James Murphy: Have heard that the Colorado Avalanche have been looking for a puck moving defenseman.
Why an offer sheet is a pointless endeavor
Kevin McGran of The Toronto Star: (mailbag) Asked about William Nylander signing an offer sheet. thinks it’s a pointless endeavor for several reasons:
“First off, the Leafs will match. Secondly, since the Leafs will match, why would another GM bother getting involved? Thirdly, in order for the whole offer-sheet situation to work, Nylander would have to sign it.”
Signing an offer sheet would show teammates and fans that he’s not happy being in Toronto and would rather play elsewhere.
Will Duchene want to be part of the Senators rebuild?
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie was on TSN 1200 and was asked about the Matt Duchene situation on Ottawa. McKenzie isn’t really sure what’s going on but he doesn’t think there have been any “hard and fast” contract extension talks with the team.
“So I think what Matt Duchene is probably doing – what I would do if I was him – is let’s just start playing some games and let’s see where this goes. Let’s see what the environment is like. Is it going to be as toxic as everybody thinks it’s going to be. Is it going to be as grim, as difficult to win hockey games as everybody seems to think it’s going to be. Or might this team be a little more competitive, and might the mood and the overall atmosphere and environment around that team be a little more positive than people recognize from the outside looking in. And only he knows that for sure.”
Duchene needs to have a good year. Duchene wanted out of Colorado because they weren’t winning, which could be the same situation he’s in now.
“From the outside looking in, my question to him would be, ‘How eager would you be to put yourself back in a situation where it may take more than a year or two to get this thing really where it needs to be.’ And that would be for him to answer.”