On the Vancouver Canucks …
Rick Dhaliwal: Have been told that the Canucks will not bring back Borna Rendulic. The Canucks haven’t made decisions on Alex Grenier and Darren Archibald.
Rick Dhaliwal: Spoke with several agents who are reps for goaltenders and they were saying they wouldn’t be surprised if Ryan Miller goes to free agency.
Rick Dhaliwal: The goalie market changes weekly. Miller re-signing with the Canucks isn’t a slam dunk as there is lots of work to be done.
Elliotte Friedman: Hearing that the Canucks could be looking at Newell Brown as a potential assistant coach. Brown was with the Coyotes last season.
Andy Strickland: Former Canucks coach Willie Desjardins has assistant coaching options, including the Dallas Stars.
On the Anaheim Ducks …
Eric Stephens: Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said they will find someone to replace Paul McLean, but he wouldn’t discuss any candidates or if Newell Brown or Dave Farrish are among the potential candidates.
On Kris Russell …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friendman was on Sportsnet 960 and was talking about Edmonton Oilers UFA defenseman Kris Russell. Russell signed a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Oilers last offseason,
“I still think Russell is going to get paid,” said Friedman. “I think it’s going to work out for Russell, and it’s probably going to work out in Edmonton. I think the Oilers are looking at this like – depending on what numbers they have to sign Draisaitl and McDavid to – I believe there is a desire to re-sign him.”
Friedman said that he wasn’t really sure what happened with Russell last offseason. There were rumors that he had a four-year contract with the Maple Leafs but it fell apart for some reason. His agent denied it.
Friedman says there is some talk that the players may not use the five percent escalator, more maybe a number between one and five.