On Free Agents that could be traded this season …
Lyle Richardson on Bleacher Report: Richardson looks at some notable 2017 unrestricted free agents that could be traded this season: Brooks Laich (Maple Leafs – $4.5 million cap hit), Bryan Bickell (Hurricanes – $4 million cap hit), Dennis Wideman (Flames – no-movement clause), Ondrej Pavelec (Jets – $3.9 million cap hit), Martin Hanzal (Coyotes – $3.1 million cap hit), Ryan Miller (Canucks – $6 million cap hit), Ben Bishop (Lightning – $5.9 million cap hit) and Kevin Shattenkirk (Blues – $4.25 million cap hit).
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Sunaya Sapurji: Windsor Spitfires GM Warren Rychel said that he thinks Canadiens defenseman Mikhail Sergachev will be returned to Windsor at some point.
On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Chris Hine: After Elliotte Friedman’s report that the Blackhawks could be looking to move defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk for a forward, did some asking around. There doesn’t appear at the moment that there is anything serious in the works. Given the Blackhawks salary cap situation and van Riemsdyk’s low salary, trade options are limited.
On the San Jose Sharks, Brent Burns and the Edmonton Oilers …
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Oilers Now radio host Bob Stauffer comments on Burns and the Edmonton Oilers.
“I was say this: If the San Jose Sharks aren’t able to sign Brent Burns, it is my belief — just as a year ago at this time we talked about Milan Lucic — that Edmonton would be an option, if the Sharks don’t get Burns done, the Oilers will be an option for Brent Burns. Who else is competition?”
Sportsnet’s Mark Spector doubts the Sharks will let Burns get to free agency. Stauffer also notes that the Sharks do have the salary cap space to fit Burns in.
Stauffer adds that the Oilers will have to sign Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid to contract extensions soon.
“McDavid will get it (a big contract) and maybe they (the Oilers) would move out at that stage a Nugent-Hopkins.”