On the Montreal Canadiens …
Matt Larkin of The Hockey News: (mailbag) When looking at the return the Canadiens would get for Max Pacioretty, would think they would look at what the Avs got for Matt Duchene.
The Avs ended up with 2018 1st and 2nd round pick, 2019 3rd round pick, Shane Bowers, Vladislav Kamenev and Samuel Girard for Duchene.
Pacioretty has another year left on his deal at $4.5 million, which is $1.5 million less than Duchene, and Duchene is two years younger.
Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin should be looking for at least a first-round pick, another middle-round pick, and multiple prospects.
proposed on twitter a ‘deal’ involving the Nashville Predators – Dante Fabbro, Pontus Aberg, and a 2018 first-round pick. That may not be enough when using Duchene as a comparable.
Top goaltender targets at the NHL trade deadline …
Jared Clinton of The Hockey News: Carter Hutton in St. Louis and Aaron Dell in San Jose may have played their way off the rental option list. It now seems unlikely that the Sharks will look to move their pending UFA backup goalie. Potential goalies that could become available at the NHL trade deadline include:
Antti Raanta – Arizona Coyotes: It might be worth it for the New York Islanders to give Raanta a shot.
Jonathan Bernier – Colorado Avalanche: The Avs may not be looking at being sellers anymore. Semyon Varlamov is still injured. The 29-year old Bernier is a pending UFA and carries a $2.75 million cap hit.
Cam Ward – Carolina Hurricanes: The Hurricanes are still in the playoff race, but if they fall out, they could look to move Ward. Maybe the Penguins would look for additional depth in net.
Robin Lehner – Buffalo Sabres: The 26-year old will be a restricted free agent after the season and carries a $4 million salary cap hit.
Petr Mrazek – Detroit Red Wings: The 25-year old will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season and carries a $4 million salary cap hit.