On the Detroit Red Wings …
Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: If the Red Wings fall out of the playoff race, they will have decide if they want to trade pending UFA Thomas Vanek. There may not be many impact players on the trade market at the deadline, so Vanek could be a nice addition for a contender. Vanek has recorded 29 points – 11 goals and 18 assists – in 32 games this season.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Jared Clinton of The Hockey News: Elliotte Friedman reported over the weekend that the Coyotes could approach Shane Doan to see if he wants to moved, and to where he’d be happy going.
The Coyotes won’t get much in return for Doan, but it would be more of a ‘service’ to him for a shot at at the Cup. Doan carries a cap hit close to $4 million, so many of the top teams may not be able to fit that in without the Coyotes retaining some salary.
Clinton adds that even if the Coyotes trade Doan at the deadline, he could re-sign with them in the offseason if he wants to play another season. GM John Chayka said that both the team and Doan are taking it year-to-year, and the possibility of another season is there.
On the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders …
Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Defenseman Brandon Carlo is an untouchable for the Bruins. He’s on an entry-level deal for the next two seasons which helps offset David Krejci‘s $7.25 million salary cap hit.
If the Bruins are not going to have Charles McAvoy playing in the NHL next season, they may be better off not burning a year of his entry-level deal playing in the AHL, and have him return to BU next year for his junior season.
Dennis Seidenberg is the only New York Islander who is an unrestricted free agent after the season. Hard for a team to improve when not a lot is coming off the roster and you’re a team at the bottom of the standings.