On the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Islanders …
NHL Prospect Watch: Pierre McGuire hinted that maybe the Canadiens and Islanders are exploring a three-way trade. That could be the reason that Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin has been at many of the Islanders games this season.
NHL Prospect Watch: McGuire suggested that the Islanders don’t have the assets to trade for Matt Duchene, and the Canadiens don’t have the assets to trade for John Tavares. Note that this is all SPECULATION.
On the Colorado Avalanche …
Adrian Dater: No truth to the rumor out there that the Avalanche have added someone to their front office staff.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Greg Krupa of the Detroit Red Wings: There is basically a $500,000 gap between the Red Wings and Andreas Athanasiou. wonders if there is something more than just the salary cap as to why a deal hasn’t been done yet. Athanasiou didn’t have arbitration rights and little leverage.
notes: “Continuing the fight with so little leverage suggests Athanasiou is serious about diverting his career, playing in Europe and waiting for management to make a move.”
Athanasiou’s agent, Darren Ferris, tried this already with Columbus Blue Jackets Josh Anderson – a move that didn’t really work.
The Red Wings don’t want to trade Athanasiou unless they receive a really good offer. They could let Athanasiou play in Europe this season and deal with the contract situation next offseason.
The Red Wings may also have to take into consideration if this type of situation sends a bad message to other free agents. The Red Wings will have to re-sign both Anthony Mantha and Dylan Larkin after the season.
Craig Anderson of The Athletic: Multiple sources are saying that there have been no contract talks between the Red Wings and Mantha’s camp. Mantha said that talks will wait until after the season.
“I’m trying to get a season this year so I can sign a long-term ,” Mantha said.
You can see why Mantha may want to wait, and you can see why the Red Wings may want to get a deal done before.
