On the Colorado Avalanche …
AJ Haefele: The Avs may still have their eye on the college free agent market as they could be in the mix for Alex Kerfoot.
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Yesterday morning Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic spoke about restricted free agent defenseman Nikita Zadorov, on Matt Duchene trade talks, not being able to sign draft pick Will Butcher, and several blue line prospects that could make the team.
Zadorov has used the signing in KHL card if he doesn’t get a higher salary, but …
“Both sides agreed to a two-year deal and we just have to figure out the numbers,” Sakic said. “We’ve got our NHL comps that we’re going with and he’s got to make a decision at some point on what he wants to do.”
Sakic is still okay with the idea of trading Duchene, but Sakic expects Duchene to be at the Avs training camp next month.
“I will be listening to offers. Right now it’s quiet on all fronts,” Sakic said. “But I’ll listen to offers on how we can get better. I’ll never name names but I’ll sit there and if something makes sense for the way we want to go, with our team, we’ll really look at that.”
Sakic on not being able to sign Butcher.
“has got that right….He’ll see what’s out there for him and see where that goes.”
Defensemen Chris Bigras, Andrei Mironov and Anton Lindholm will get a chance to compete in training camp to make the roster. Bigras can be sent to the minors and Sakic said playing big minutes there is better for his development than sitting in the NHL.
Sakic adds that since they will be towards the bottom of the standings, getting a player or two from the waiver wire is an option.