On the Arizona Coyotes and Brandon Hickey …
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: Elliotte Friedman reported that would look to trade prospect Brandon Hickey “not seeing a fit to sign.” Coyotes GM John Chayka on Monday.
“There’s a fit for everything. It has to make sense for both sides,” Chayka said. “We’re just working through the different options now, including signing or trading.”
The Coyotes had acquired Hickey in the Mike Smith trade with Calgary.
On the Chicago Blackhawks and Joel Quenneville …
Scott Powers of The Athletic: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman on speculation that head coach Joel Quenneville is on the hot seat.
“There’s always speculation when a team like ours that has been good for a long time drops off,” Bowman recently said. “I think John McDonough said it, everyone is going to be evaluated. Myself. Joel. The assistant coaches, the other management team. No decisions have been made on anything like that.”
On the Ottawa Senators and Matt Duchene …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators forward Matt Duchene won’t be a free agent until after next season, but GM Pierre Dorion indicated last week that he’d like to speak with Duchene this offseason about a contract extension.
Duchene appears open to the idea.
“Absolutely,” Duchene said Saturday before facing the Carolina Hurricanes at the Canadian Tire Centre. “I’m encouraged from what I see here. Obviously, there’s a whole other business side to approach and I have no idea what that’s going to look like and feel like yet.
“I guess we’ll see but that’s encouraging to hear that they’re interested and trying to work something out long-term. I’ve really enjoyed my time here as tough as the season has been for the team. I feel I’ve been able to be more myself than I have in a long time here and it’s been encouraging for me.”
Dorion has also said that he plans on making a Erik Karlsson a contract extension offer on July 1st.
The Senators have pending restricted free agents in forward Mark Stone and defenseman Cody Ceci.
