Sweeny still going to make calls
Marisa Ingemi: Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney: “I don’t know if we’re necessarily going to do anything else. We’ll continue to make calls.”
Gusev to hit Vegas?
Igor Eronko: Spoke with Nikita Gusev’s first coach – who are in constant contact with each other – and he thinks that Gusev will sign and join the Vegas Golden Knights.
Teams calling about Islanders UFAs but Isles could be looking to buy big
Brian Lawton: (posted yesterday for referring to Tuesday night) “Couple items from late last night. Keep an eye on @NYIslanders impending UFA’s Anders Lee & Brock Nelson. Both players remain unsigned & are having excellent years! Numerous clubs calling with interest on both! 1 team to watch @mnwild who are looking to shake things up now.”
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Elliotte Friedman on his 31 Thoughts: The Podcast was talking about the New York York Islanders. He notes that when GM Lou Lamoriello thinks his team is good enough, he goes for it.
“… I really think that they will go for it with someone. I think they’re in on Duchene. I think they’re definitely in on Panarin. Someone said to me his Plan C might be Kovalchuk, although Kovalchuk has control.
“… I would be surprised if they didn’t do something. I would.”
No rentals for Blackhawks
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie said on NBCSN that the Chicago Blackhawks won’t be giving up futures for rentals.
“Word out of Chicago is no quick fixes to try and push them over the top,” indicated McKenzie. “That they’re looking at a bigger plan with hockey deals and not looking at giving up future assets for the rentals that are out there. So it’s hockey deals or bust right now for the Chicago Blackhawks.”
With the emergence of Dylan Strome since acquiring him, says they could look at moving center Artem Anisimov, but his two remaining years at $4.5 million may not be an easy task.
It seems extremely doubtful that they would now move defenseman Erik Gustafsson.
Goaltender Corey Crawford appears to be close to returning.
“When he is cleared to come back into the lineup and play, Collin Delia would likely go down to the minors, and it would be back to Corey Crawford and Cam Ward, the goaltenders they planned to start the season with when all healthy.”