On Scouting the Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes …
Renaud Lavoie: With General Managers meetings in Montreal , there were 21 GMs last night’s Canadiens-Coyotes game.
On the Chicago Blackhawks …
The Fourth Period: The Blackhawks have been shopping around defenseman Connor Murphy, but it doesn’t look like they are getting much interest in him. The Blackhawks are looking to improve their blue line, but they won’t rush on a deal. The Blackhawks don’t have a lot of salary cap space. Murphy has four years left on his deal at a $3.85 million cap hit.
On Houston and the Vegas Golden Knights …
TSN Insider Trading: Darren Dreger: The NHL recently met with the Houston Rockets owner who has said he’d be interested in an NHL team. It was a gathering of information. There has been some speculation over relocating the Arizona Coyotes to Seattle or somewhere, but the NHL and Arizona are working on an arena process.
Bob McKenzie: The Vegas Golden Knights are getting calls on pending UFA wingers James Neal and David Perron. It’s been believed that they would move them at the trade deadline. If someone were to “blow their socks off,” they might consider moving now, though that is not likely to happen. There are lots of teams looking for help up front. GM George McPhee could also be open to talking to Neal and/or Perron about a contract extension.
Pierre LeBrun: The GM meetings start today, and one thing on the agenda is LTIR – about the use by the Chicago Blackhawks (Marian Hossa) and Toronto Maple Leafs (Joffrey Lupul).
On Houston …
Tilman Fertitta (owner of the Hoston Rockets): “As I’ve mentioned before, I’m very interested in the possibility of bringing the NHL to Houston, but it will have to be a deal that works for my organization, the City, fans of the NHL throughout the region, and the NHL Board of Governors. We are in the very early stage of evaluating what opportunities may exist but look forward to a thorough process.”