Scouting the Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars …
David Pagnotta: Scouts listed to attend last night’s Maple Leafs – Stars game: Vegas Golden Knights (2), Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins, Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins and Arizona Coyotes.
Scouting the Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues …
TSN 1200: Scouts listed to attend the Senators – Blues game: Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, and Vegas Golden Knights.
Scouting the Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens …
Terry Frei: Scouts listed to attend the Avalanche – Canadiens game: Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, Arizona Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs.
On the Boston Bruins …
Jimmy Murphy: Have been told that there are no plans at that moment for the Bruins to speak with Ken Hitchcock or Gerard Gallant.
Jimmy Murphy: Not sure if Hitchcock or Gallant would be interested in coaching the Bruins at this moment, not with the interference they may get from above.
On the New York Rangers …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers have about $10.1 million in projected salary cap space for the trade deadline.
They could use some for bulk and grit for the playoffs.
The Rangers primary need though is a puck-moving, right-handed defenseman. One that could play on the top-pairing with Ryan McDonagh. That is not easy to find and acquire.
If the Rangers don’t have to give up a top-nine forward, defenseman Brady Skjei or a first round pick for St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, they should do it.
The Rangers could have the option to sign Shattenkirk as a free agent on July 1st, but if it takes a Keith Yandle type deal – seven-years, $45 million – shouldn’t expect them to do that. A five-year, $30 million would be better, but don’t count on that.
Winnipeg Jets Jacob Trouba and Nashville Predators Ryan Ellis could be available. Maybe they could talk to the Calgary Flames about Dougie Hamilton, or the Anaheim Ducks about Brandon Montour.
