On the Los Angeles Kings …
Curtis Zupke of the LA Times: The LA Kings were in Toronto yesterday, so Drew Doughty was asked about the offseason speculation/comments that one day he might want to become a Toronto Maple Leaf. Doughty will be a UFA after next season.
“To be honest, it’s not on my mind at all,” Doughty said. “I know that interview in the summer kind of turned some heads and churned some questions. But the bottom line, I want to stay in L.A.”
On the New York Rangers …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers have not made a significant trade before Christmas in a long time, and it seems unlikely that they will make a “franchise turning deal” anytime soon.
If it comes to a point where the Rangers think they are out of it, it would likely be closer to the trade deadline when they move someone like a Rick Nash. Trading Nash beforehand would possibly only happen if they were offered a future building block – which doesn’t happen at this time of year.
If the Rangers think that Alex Galchenyuk could be a 2nd line center, then they should consider it. It might cost the Rangers Chris Kreider or Mats Zuccarello. No evidence that they are interested in Galchenyuk.
On the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was on 630 CHED in Edmonton and was talking about the Montreal Canadiens and the cap space they have. Friedman thinks the Canadiens are waiting to see what happens with the New York Islanders and pending UFA John Tavares.
“Look, I’ve said a billion times I think his first choice is to re-sign, but I think Montreal is sitting there hedging their bets and saying, ‘Just in case.’ And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I think that if John Tavares does become available, he’s better than anyone who’s going to be available, so I think that’s kind of Montreal’s plan and the owner let it slip at the beginning of the year.”