Insider trading notes on the Hurricanes, Penguins, and Jets
TSN: Pierre LeBrun notes that the Carolina Hurricanes really liked goaltender Curtis McElhinney and it wouldn’t have been surprised if they would have put a waiver claim on him even if Scott Darling didn’t get injured. The Hurricanes have looked at him for a while. Once Darling is healthy, they do have the option and roster space to carry three goaltenders as they decide on who to keep.
Bob McKenzie: Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray suffered a concussion at practice on Monday and it’s not known who long he’ll be out for. The Penguins won’t be looking for any external help in net as they’ll run with Casey DeSmith and Tristan Jarry.
Pierre LeBrun: There hasn’t been much talk about Winnipeg Jets pending restricted free agent Patrik Laine‘s contract situation. Laine and his camp are not in a hurry to get a deal done. Laine and his reps want to the focus on the season and winning a Cup.
“That doesn’t stop Winnipeg from making an offer and maybe having this getting done during the year. The Laine camp has not cut off communications at all and everything is healthy, but there is no hurry from his perspective.”
Should the Flyers have added to their blueline this past offseason?
John Boruk of NBC Sports Philadelphia: Boruk wonders if the Philadelphia Flyers will regret not spending this past offseason to improve their blueline.
The Flyers currently sit $8.7 million under the salary cap ceiling. Arguments can be made that should have gone after Calvin de Haan (four years, $18.2 million with Carolina) or Ian Cole (three years, $12.75 with Colorado).
Flyers GM Ron Hextall likely looked at the defensive options but didn’t like the term and cost.
Adding someone like de Haan or Cole wouldn’t have blocked prospects like Phillipe Myers. Andrew MacDonald and Radko Gudas will be free agents after next season, so they could be looking for their replacements if they don’t re-sign them before that.
