On Evgeni Dadonov …
Aivis Kalnins: Evgeni Dadonov is still deciding on their whether he signs somewhere in the NHL or remains in the KHL. Chances are high that he stays in the KHL.
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Aivis Kalnins: The Montreal Canadiens are not in KHL free agent Evgeni Dadonov.
On the Philadelpha Flyers ..
CSN Philly: Tom Dougherty, Jordan Hall and Greg Paone talk about whether moving up in the draft to No. 2 could make center Sean Couturier expendable. At the No. 2 slot, they could be selecting between Nolan Patick and Nico Hischier.
Dougherty – Either Patrick or Hischier would give the Flyers a top-six center and eventual Claude Giroux replacement. Some fans and media have soured on Couturier because he doesn’t score enough, but he was their second leading scorer at even strength. doesn’t think they should trade Courturier and landing the No. 2 pick doesn’t make him any more available than he was before.
Hall – Getting either Patrick or Hischier would give GM Ron Hextall more flexibility and incentive to trade Couturier. It wouldn’t be a terrible idea to trade him. Teams would be interested in the tangibles he brings and is only 24 years old. thinks the Flyers believe that Couturier has more potential and aren’t ready to throw it away just yet. He could thrive in a bottom-six center role.
Paone – It’s a very intriguing option for the Flyers. GM Hextall felt they needed to improve down the middle last year, adding Valtteri Filppula to slot in as their second line center, moving Couturier back to the third line. thinks Couturier is more available than he was before the draft lottery, but that they won’t move him. Filppula will be a UFA after next season. The Flyers could have a very solid Giroux-Nolan Patrick/Nico Hischier-Couturier down the middle.