On the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks …
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Hurricanes are really deep on the blueline. Scouts would put Jaccob Slavin ($742,000) as an untouchable over Justin Faulk ($4.8 million) because of his shutdown ability. With Noah Hanifin on the roster, and 2016 first round pick Jake Bean, they might be able to trade Justin Faulk for a good player.
Most people think that the Tampa Bay Lightning will trade Tyler Johnson this offseason as they can replace him with Brayden Point. The Lightning would be looking for a defenseman in a Johnson deal.
The Boston Bruins aren’t interested in trading Brandon Carlo or Charlie McAvoy for Kevin Shattenkirk.
Some think the Chicago Blackhawks would bring back Patrick Sharp. agrees with Pierre LeBrun in that Patrick Eaves might be a better addition.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on 630 CHED talking about Nick Kypreos‘s report on the Pittsburgh Penguins potentially being interested in Colorado Avalanche’s forward Matt Duchene, and what the cost might be.
“If they’re doing Duchene, I’ve got to think that’s Olli Maatta,” speculated NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman during a Thursday afternoon radio hit on Edmonton’s 630 CHED. “I don’t like to guess because I don’t know for sure. Nick brought up the name Derrick Pouliot. Somebody called me right after the show and said, ‘There’s no way Colorado’s doing that for Derrick Pouliot.’
Friedman continued saying that including Maatta would at least get them talking. He’s a young defenseman that has term left. It would have to be more than just Maatta.
Friedman said he spoke with Penguins GM Jim Rutherford on Friday, and didn’t ask specifically about Matt Duchene.
“He said, “I’ll do anything to win and if I have to sort it after the season, I’ll sort it after the season.’
“So Jim Rutherford – they’re all in to repeat and they’re in a brutal division, so don’t be surprised at anything that they might do.”