On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: There have been reports that the Blue Jackets and Vegas Golden Knights have reached an agreement leading up to the expansion draft. The Blue Jackets will pay a big price for the Golden Knights to not select Josh Anderson, Joonas Korpisalo or one of Jack Johnson or David Savard. Portzline:
“The Jackets are believed to be trading this year’s first-round draft pick (No. 24 overall) and a prospect (not Pierre-Luc Dubois or Sonny Milano) to Vegas for assurances that the Golden Knights will select either left wing Matt Calvert, center William Karlsson or defenseman Ryan Murray.”
The Golden Knights may also get David Clarkson‘s salary cap hit.
The Blue Jackets don’t have a second round pick either as they sent it Vancouver as compensation for signing coach John Tortorella. Their first pick wouldn’t be until No. 86.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Would a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for Alex Galchenyuk trade work? The Canadiens would be happy with it, would the Oilers?
There is a better chance that the Oilers trade Jordan Eberle than RNH. Maybe to the New York Islanders for a combination of Ryan Strome or Calvin de Haan.
The Dallas Stars are weak at right wing and are interested in Eberbe. Eberle for Cody Eakin has legs.
The Colorado Avalanche are looking at Eberle and Tyson Barrie would interest the Oilers.
The Oilers would have to send the Golden Knights something to select Benoit Pouliot. The Golden Knights could be looking at Laurent Brossoit, Griffin Reinhart, Jujhar Khaira and Tyler Pitlick.
The Fourth Period: Teams are talking to the Oilers about Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but they don’t appear to be close on anything. They are also getting calls on Jordan Eberle with the Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes and Detroit Red Wings believed to have shown some interest.