On the Philadelphia Flyers …
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers have a draft plan in place.
“We’re going to have some emphasis on skill and size,” general manager Ron Hextall said. “Hopefully, combined, but that’s a tough thing to grab.”
They will likely go forward with their first pick at No. 18, and could select one of Julien Gauthier, Max Jones, Kieffer Bellows, Luke Kunin, Riley Tufte, and German Rubtsov.
On the Anaheim Ducks …
Curtis Zupka: Ducks GM Bob Murray on the Frederik Andersen trade: “This is a situation that just had to happen at this time. There was no avoiding it.”
Eric Stephens: Murray said that he wasn’t close to re-signing Andersen. A decision whether or not to trade Andersen would have been tougher to make had they been close to a deal.
Curtis Zupka: Murray said that he’s interested in re-signing David Perron and Jamie McGinn. He added that he’s looking at keeping his defense together, “but I’m still taking phone calls.”
On the Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 1040 on trade talk and if deals will actually be made.
“But before then, there will be trades. And certainly, I think Columbus with the No. 3 pick is the team to watch. I think that pick is in play. Doesn’t mean it’ll move, but certainly there are calls being had there.
“But also certainly player movement. There are calls right now coming in on St. Louis on Kevin Shattenkirk, who has a year left on his deal. Can the Blues sign him to an extension, or do they have to move him. They’re pretty deep on defense, especially with the advent of Parayko this year behind Pietrangelo and Bouwmeester. The Blues are in a pretty good position of strength to probably move Shattenkirk, if they want, in an offseason in which there are a lot of teams looking for D.”
LeBrun thinks the Bruins and Oilers are among the teams that have already talked to the Blues about Shattenkirk.