On the salary cap …
Adrian Dater: Dater notes there have only been three trades this year. “One of NHL’s biggest marketing aspects, for good or bad, was easy trade market. It’s been nuked with salary cap.”
On the Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes …
Chris Nichols: Darren Dreger on TSN 690 yesterday on Martin Hanzal: “As of last night, it didn’t seem like there was high-level discussions” between Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin and Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka.
Chris Nichols: Dreger: “Hanzal’s name is attached to the Montreal Canadiens only because we in the media believe Martin Hanzal potentially is available.”
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Bruins winger David Pastrnak is on pace to score 40-plus goals this year. Pastrnak will be a restricted free agent after this season and could join the six years, and around $6 million per season group in Johnny Gaudreau, Jonathan Huberdeau, Sean Monahan, Jaden Schwartz, Nathan MacKinnon and Mark Schiefele. A huge season and potential “nightmare” scenario for the Bruins would be getting in the Vladimir Tarasenko range – eight years and $60 million.
On the Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs …
B.D. Gallof: Despite the rumors, hearing that there is no chance that the Colorado Avalanche trade Gabriel Landeskog and the Maple Leafs trading James van Riemsdyk.
On the Dallas Stars …
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: (mailbag) When asked about a trade scenario that would immediately improve the Dallas Stars. Trading defenseman Patrik Nemeth to the Red Wings for a prospect. The Red Wings could use some more physical on their blueline. Goalie prospect Joren Van Pottelberghe could be fit for the Stars. The Stars are still carrying eight defensemen and a Nemeth trade could take away some of the pressure.
Stars GM Jim thinks the Stars need the depth on the blueline in case of injuries. There is also the issue of other teams have salary cap issues and depth concerns as well, so it’s hard to make a “good trade.”