Panarin willing to talk contract with the Blue Jackets?
Aaron Portzline: Columbus Blue Jackets pending UFA Artemi Panarin‘s agent Daniel Milstein wants to have another meeting with Panarin before he tells the Blue Jackets their willingness to talk contract extension. Panarin and Milstein met in Miami but another meeting is necessary.
Kunitz may not be willing to move
Jimmy Greenfield: (Friedman notes in his 31 Thoughts that teams are watching Chicago Blackhawks Chris Kunitz and John Hayden) “Don’t see why Kunitz would waive his NMC. He’s got 3 small kids, came to Chicago to stay put and already has four rings. Plus, he might be healthy scratched where he goes anyway.”
Expect the Jets and Predators to be active
TSN: The Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators will once again look to make a move ahead of the trade deadline.
“Both these general managers – David Poile and Kevin Cheveldayoff – once again are ready I think to trade a prime asset for a rental player at this deadline.
I asked David Poile this weekend whether he can let himself be affected by what the Winnipeg Jets do. He said ‘No, you have to do your own thing, you can’t react to what other teams around you are doing,’ and yet he did say over the years, there has been a domino effect once he jumps in first before the trade deadline.
No question to me will not only both these teams add, but both these teams – Winnipeg and Nashville – will be looking at similar players on the market which makes it even more intriguing because let’s face it, they’re probably going to play again in the second round,” TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun said.
LeBrun added that he believes the Jets have already kicked tires on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Derick Brassard but may not have liked what they heard back from the Penguins. Brassard is just one player the Jets are looking at.
Frank Seravalli says that the Jets were a bit disappointed they weren’t able to acquire Brassard last year and may circle back to him again this season.
Dave Poulin suggests some other potential options for the Jets: Kevin Hayes, Wayne Simmonds, Gustav Nyquist, and Marcus Johansson.