On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline: The Blue Jackets have an offer on the table for 2015 6th round pick defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. He’ll be coming over to the NHL at some point but it’s unclear when.
Aaron Portzline: The Blue Jackets have made it clear to Gavrikov and his agent that they think he’s a top-six defenseman right now. He’s 6-foot-3 and a left handed shot.
Aaron Portzline: Defenseman Ryan Murray would be even more expendable than he is now if Gavrikov decides to come over.
Aaron Portzline: Source in Russia who is not affiliated with Gavrikov’s agent or team doesn’t think that he’ll leave the KHL this offseason.
On Ben Bishop ….
Pierre LeBrun: There have been a couple teams that have called LA Kings about trading for the rights to pending UFA goaltender Ben Bishop.
Dennis Bernstein: Bishop is not coming back to the Kings so guessing his rights will be traded soon.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 1260 when host suggested that the Calgary Flames should call the Los Angeles Kings about Bishop.
“Yeah,” agreed LeBrun. “I don’t know who has called for sure, but if I had to guess and guess with a bit of reason I think Calgary or Dallas – either one of them if not both – would be among the teams that at least said, ‘Hey, if you’re doing anything with this guy before July 1, let us know.’ That would make sense.
“Calgary, as you know, actually traded for Ben Bishop tentatively last June at the draft and the deal fell through for a number of reasons. So there has been interest there in the past.
“But I think for L.A. too it’s nice to have Carolina and Chicago set the market for a pending UFA goalie, right. Getting a third round pick with no conditions attached late last week was pretty sweet for Chicago, I’d say.”