On the Columbus Blue Jackets and Vegas Golden Knights …
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Sources saying the Vegas Golden Knights will build their franchise slowly – going young and cheap during the draft.
The Blue Jackets have to decide by today if they will as Scott Hartnell to waive his no-movement clause, which would allow them to protect Josh Anderson.
There is are some rumors that they already have a trade in place with Vegas that will steer them towards taking a specific player:
“The Jackets will send Vegas a prospect and/or a draft pick to take player “A” instead of player “B,” and Vegas will agree to future considerations to make the deal conform to NHL guidelines.”
One idea that has been floated out there, with Elliotte Friedman reporting, has the Golden Knights acquiring David Clarkson whose career is likely over with a chronic back injury. They would use his $5.25 million cap hit help get over the salary floor.
Removing Clarkson’s cap hit would give them more space to re-sign RFAs Anderson and Alexander Wennberg, as well as adding some more offseason.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and Vegas Golden Knights …
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: When the Maple Leafs talk to a team about a defenseman like Sami Vatanen, teams counter by asking for winger Connor Brown. It now depends on how much Leafs management values the 23-year old and his 20 goals.
Brendan Shanahan apparently told the NHL head office that Kyle Dubas will be the Leafs next GM. Doesn’t seem like current GM Lou Lamoriello has plans to retire anytime soon. How will the Leafs keep both Mark Hunter and Dubas around.
Can expect the Buffalo Sabres to hire either Phil Housley (Predators assistant coach) or Rick Tocchet (Penguins assistant coach) as their next head coach.
One GM on the Vegas Golden Knights.
“By the time the expansion draft comes around, George could have every pick in the second round,” a fellow GM has said. “There are that many deals out there to be had.”