On the New York Rangers and New York Islanders …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The NY Rangers won’t be trading for Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba unless they send Ryan McDonagh to the Jets.
Sources saying the NY Islanders and Frans Nielsen are not close on a new deal for the pending UFA. Kyle Okposo and Matt Martin could also be on there way out. Martin could get a four year deal at around $10 million on the open market.
On the New York Islanders …
Arthur Staple of Newsday: The NY Islanders hold the No. 19 pick in the draft, and don’t pick again until the fourth round. Sources are saying that GM Garth Snow could be willing to move their first round pick for an established forward. Snow acknowledges that Okposo won’t be back.
“We’re just in a situation with the salary cap that you really have to analyze where you are today and where you’re going to be in five years from now. So there’s always tough decisions,” Snow said. “Kyle’s a great person. He’s been a terrific player for this organization. Wish him nothing but the best.”
Snow and Frans Nielsen’s agent, Marc Levine, have been talking about a long-term contract in recent days.
If the Islanders hold on the No. 19 pick, their options could include Charlie McAvoy, Kieffer Bellows and Alex DeBrincat.
Snow doesn’t think they will trade up in the draft, but moving back could be an option.
If the Islanders are able to find a winger to play on their top line, they might have to move one of their prospects and their first round pick.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Two needs for the Blue Jackets are finding a No. 1 center to replace Ryan Johansen and to create some salary cap space.
GM Jarmo Kekalain has said they’ve received two “really good offers, aggressive offers, fair offers” for the No. 3 pick, but it wasn’t enough for them to consider moving the pick.
If the Blue Jackets were to trade down, they would need to get a “high-powered center” in return. The Blue Jackets would also need to move some salary out.
The Blue Jackets have around $66.6 million in cap space, which doesn’t include RFAs Seth Jones‘ next deal.
They’ve been trying to trade Scott Hartnell. The Blue Jackets haven’t indicated if they will buy out Jared Boll ($1.7 million) and/or Fedor Tyutin ($4.5 million for two years) or not.