On Five teams to watch this week …
Dan Rosen of NHL.com: New York Rangers – the Rangers have $20 million in cap space and some holes to fill. They need a top-nine center and maybe two overall. They need to re-sign RFA Mika Zibanejad who will be looking for a raise from his $2.625 million.
The Rangers could use a top-pairing right defenseman to play with Ryan McDonagh. Kevin Shattenkirk would be costly and re-signing Brendan Smith is an option. They also need a backup goalie.
Montreal Canadiens – Alex Galchenyuk is a RFA and has been in the trade rumor mill. There is lots of interest in him and has been linked to the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Ducks. The Canadiens would like to get a defenseman for him.
They are trying to re-sign Alexander Radulov and Andrei Markov. Markov may be looking for a two year deal. Carey Price is eligible to sign a contract extension after July 1st.
New York Islanders – Trading Travis Hamonic could be part of plan to help bring in more scoring for John Tavares. They are trying to convince him to sign a contract extension.
The Islanders have over $9 million in salary cap space and three extra picks. They need to re-sign RFA Calvin de Haan.
Vegas Golden Knights – Vegas GM George McPhee could have a few trades in the next couple of days.
They have 10 NHL defensemen under contract with RFAs Nate Schmidt and Griffin Reinhart.
Colorado Avalanche – They are looking for a defenseman and they haven’t liked the offers they’ve received for Matt Duchene. They may have wanted Travis Hamonic, but the Islanders traded him to the Flames.
There are reports that the Nashville Predators are interested in Duchene but they don’t want to give up any of their top-four defensemen – P.K. Subben, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis.