On the New York Rangers …
Larry Brooks: The New York Rangers are seeing what the market is like for center Derek Stepan. His no-trade clause kicks in on July 1st. They need help on the blueline. Nothing is imminent at this time.
Larry Brooks: Unless the Rangers are able to get a first pair right handed defenseman, they shouldn’t trade Derek Stepan. They already would have a second pairing right defenseman if they sign Brendan Smith to a fair market deal.
On the Edmonton Oilers and the Colorado Avalanche …
Brian Wilde: Matt Duchene is more likely to be traded than Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Oilers are more interested in trading Jordan Eberle.
On the New York Islanders …
Andy Graziano: Islanders GM Garth Snow needs to land a big player. Sources saying Snow has been active on Matt Duchene and Jordan Eberle.
On the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 960 on trade talk.
“I believe there’s been fire on Duchene for quite awhile,” said Friedman during a Friday morning radio hit on Calgary’s Sportsnet 960. “Duchene and Tavares share the same agent. And I would think the Islanders are probably looking at Tavares and saying, ‘How would you feel about this?’ So I do think the Islanders and Duchene has been a conversation/is a conversation for quite some time.
“The one thing I wonder about Eberle is Kelly Buchberger is going to the Islanders, and I know they butted heads at times when they were both in Edmonton. So I don’t know what that means.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Colorado was a team that potentially looked at Eberle. Somebody had mentioned to me they heard a Dallas rumor yesterday, but that one got shot down to me when I looked into it.”