Stars gauging interest in Ritchie
Sean Shapiro of The Athletic: The Dallas Stars second line has been an issue dating back to last season. They did nothing this past offseason to fix it. GM Jim Nill hasn’t done much to help relieve the pressure on their players.
Two sources have said the Stars have looked into trading forward Brett Ritchie.
Two weeks ago they let teams know he could be available to see what type of interest there is. The pending RFA carries a $1.75 million cap hit, has been a healthy scratch and has only recorded four points in 24 games.
Putting him on waivers could be an option. Someone may not want to give up an asset for him but may be interested in claiming him.
The Stars need to acquire a top-six forward.
Improved play from Bobrovsky would help his trade value
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 590 said that he doesn’t think Sergei Bobrovsky will be back with the Columbus Blue Jackets next season. Bobrovsky has had some issues with things said dating back to the playoffs last year. Fellow pending UFA Artemi Panarin has been gone about his business, but Bobrovsky has been unhappy all year.
Bobrovsky has a no-trade clause and he may have even given the Blue Jackets a short list of teams he would consider. Wonder now if he’d even accept a trade anywhere. It is not an easy trade to make.
“The one thing I think Columbus may still have working in their favor, assuming he comes back to play, is he can’t be helping his value on the market. He’s got to play well. Like if I’m representing Bobrovsky, I am saying to him, ‘You have to show up and play because how many teams are going to be looking at you right now and saying, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know if I can trust this guy going forward.’’