On the Vancouver Canucks …
Iain MacIntyre: After signing defenseman Ben Hutton yesterday (two years, $2.8 million per), GM Jim Benning will start looking to extend forward Bo Horvat. He expects that they will do a long-term deal.
TSN Radio Vancouver: GM Benning on Horvat: “No timeline on when we’re going to start negotiations. I’m thinking right now we’d like to get it done to a longterm deal.”
On the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres …
Chris Nichols: Bob McKenzie on SiriusXM radio: “I don’t believe the Vancouver #Canucks are talking to Buffalo at all about Evander Kane anymore.” … “I think that got shut down real tight last week” from #Canucks’ end of things, “so I think that can be put to rest.”
On Brandon Prust and the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Chris Johnston: Brandon Prust’s agent Claude Lemieux hasn’t signed in Germany but he could do so soon if the doesn’t get a contract from the Maple Leafs “in the next few days.”
On the Vegas Golden Knights …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Vegas owner Bill Foley was on Sportsnet 590 talking about their future coach. GM George McPhee isn’t looking for a rookie NHL coach, but one that coached a couple teams.
“He has a list of six or seven candidates. He and Kelly do. Some may or may not be available. The coaching situation will probably not resolve itself until after the regular season. That’ll be my guess.
“I would say the coach that we name is going to be a recognizable individual. But, of course, he’s got to fit George’s culture. George has 17 years with the Capitals, a couple of years with Team Canada, and is a very successful guy. Very intense. He is going to get his guy that is going to do it his way.”
McPhee was on Sportsnet on Wednesday and said that hiring a coach “will be the next big move for us.”
Chris Nichols: McPhee said on March 1st “we’ll probably be able to make trades, as long as it isn’t for someone who’s still playing for an NHL team.”
Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Potential experienced coaches that could be options for Vegas include Bob Hartley, Kevin Dineen and Ralph Krueger. Phil Housley and Trent Green could be options, but they don’t have NHL head coaching experience.