On Eric Staal …
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: One Eastern Conference GM on Eric Staal and that he could be a good buy-low free agent.
“It’ll be a worthwhile investment,” said the GM. “Great team guy. He knows the game. He’s got to go to a team where he goes to the right spot. He doesn’t have to be the top guy, but still one of the guys that’s a difference maker. He’s not going to put up 100 points anymore but I still think he can help a team. …
“I think with the right team, and a lot of that emotion from Carolina has been washed away after the trade to New York last year, he’s probably in a good mental place, I think he can do well with the right fit.”
Source saying that Staal has received six serious inquiries so far.
“I’m open-minded, I’ve already had a few really good conversations the last couple of days with different people,” he said. “I’m going to see how everything shakes out Friday. Obviously there are other guys that are out there, too. But we’ll take our time and hopefully make the decision that’s best for us as a family and me personally for hockey.”
Arthur Staple: If Frans Nielsen doesn’t re-sign with the Islanders, they would consider Eric Staal on a short-term deal.
On Seth Jones and the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Michael Arace: Blue Jackets Seth Jones: “I had no thoughts of signing (an offer sheet) with another team. I enjoy being in Columbus and like the way the team is going.”
Michael Arace: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen on the fear of an offer sheet: “We had a plan to get around it if someone got silly.” Kekalainen added that they would have matched any offer.
Trade Bait …
Frank Seravalli of TSN: Updated Trade Bait list.
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
2. Kevin Shattenkirk
3. Cam Fowler
4.Taylor Hall
5. Tyson Barrie
6. Scott Hartnell
7. Nail Yakupov
8. Mikael Granlund
9. Rick Nash
10. Jordan Eberle
11. Jonas Brodin
12. Jack Johnson
13. Ben Bishop
14. Jacob Trouba
15.P.K. Subban