On the Buffalo Sabres …
John Shannon: Hearing that the interview process for the GM position has started for the Sabres. As of yesterday morning the Sabres had not contacted the Kings about Dean Lombardi.
John Shannon: Names who could be in the mix for the GM position in Buffalo are Botterill, Futa, Conroy, Gilman, Fenton, Dubas.
Jimmy Murphy: Can add Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM Julien BriseBois to the list of potential GM candidates for the Buffalo Sabres. Would be a dark horse at this point.
On the Florida Panthers …
John Shannon: The Panthers are hoping to have a head coach in place before the draft.
On the Anaheim Ducks …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 1050 on Monday talking about the Anaheim Ducks, their defense core, and Cam Fowler.
“Listen, Anaheim to me is the team to watch after this season is over,” noted hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun during a Monday morning radio hit on Toronto’s TSN 1050. “They have about 17,000 defensemen. There’s an expansion draft coming. They can’t protect them all. They’re going to be the most popular team at the draft and around the draft because teams know they have to act.
“Now, the first thing for Anaheim that needs to be figured out is what they’re doing with Cam Fowler. I believe that they already started having discussions with him during the regular season about staying in Anaheim long term. He’s got one year left on his deal. He can’t sign until July 1, but the Ducks need to get a firm idea from him before that- really before the June draft – what his intentions are.
“If he signs, great. They’d like to keep him. Then they can trade another one of their blue chip defensemen. If he’s not open to signing – I’m not saying he won’t, but we just don’t know at this point – then he’s a guy that probably goes.
“So there’s a bit of a domino effect waiting to happen in Anaheim and boy, let me tell you – when I talk to other teams, everyone is keeping an eye on the Ducks because of all of their D.”