On the Dallas Stars …
Mike Heika: Guessing that the Stars will leave Dan Hamhuis unprotected for the expansion draft, and will decide between Stephen Johns and Jamie Oleksiak. Whoever they decide not to protect will be traded or exposed in the draft.
Mike Heika: Rumor has it that Valeri Nichushkin has an out clause in his KHL contract. doesn’t know if it’s a fact or not, but many think that he does.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Entering last night’s action, the Tampa Bay Lightning were only five points out of the playoffs, which complicates some things for GM Steve Yzerman. The Lightning have two pending free agents in goaltender Ben Bishop and center Brian Boyle.
“We’re fighting to try to get one of the eight playoff spots,” Yzerman said Monday. “This is a good thing, we’re playing well, we’re winning games. Does it make it a little bit more difficult as to what direction to go? I guess. It’s not just ‘buyers’ and ‘sellers.’ You can be somewhere in the middle of that too.
“We’re competing for a playoff spot so if I’m going to move people.. I’m not just giving people away here. If it makes sense, I’ll do it. If it doesn’t make sense, I’m not. It’s not a firesale.”
The Lightning and Nashville Predators have been scouting each other lately.
Yzerman has said they are not looking at trade for a rental, and any moves would be made with the long-term in mind. They have pending RFAs in Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Jonathan Drouin, and will have salary cap issues.
The Lightning can try and move a contract out to free up some space, with Valtteri Filppula and Jason Garrison as candidates.
Salary cap issues and the expansion draft are complicating things for teams.
“You’re acquiring a player, and forcing yourself to make another decision,” Yzerman said. “Protection issues, that is a factor in acquiring and trading players.”
With many view this draft as weak class, draft picks aren’t valued as much. Teams that are looking to buy aren’t being aggressive as they have been in the past according Yzerman.