- Michael Traikos of the National Post: The agent of Capitals Mikhail Grabovski and Maple Leafs Nikolai Kulemin said that his clients could be a free agent package, though he added that each are interested in remaining with their current team.
“They’re always talking about, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to play on the same team together,’” Greenstin, who was in Detroit to watch his other client, Pavel Datsyuk, said prior to Game 4 of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Thursday. “They’re best friends. They play great together. We’ll see what happens.”
Grabovski has said in the past that he wants to see who will be the Capitals coach next season before he would re-sign with them. Kulemin had scoring success with Grabovski, but his numbers dropped again this past season.
“I believe he can get 20 to 22 goals, but he needs to have different role,” said Greenstin, who has only briefly spoken to Toronto about a new deal. “You just put him on penalty killing. Not even a chance to play power play. Of course he’s not happy with his role. I’m not happy.”
- Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun: Jones wonders if the Oilers are not able to draft Aaron Ekbad with their first round pick, they could offer it to Islanders for Griffin Reinhart. Reinhart was the fourth overall pick two years ago.
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Five Lightning things to watch this offseason: 1. Ryan Callahan – the Lightning and Callahan are expected to talk soon, and they are expected to make a push to re-sign him. 2. The young guys – Richard Panik, Alex Killorn, Andrej Sustr, Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson, J.T. Brown and Brett Connolly are restricted free agents. 3. The New York Rangers – if the Rangers make the Eastern Conference finals, the Lightning will receive the Rangers 1st round pick this year and not their 2nd round pick. The Lightning also received the Rangers 2015 1st round pick in the Callahan-St. Louis trade. 4. Adding defensive help – the Lightning need to improve their blueline. They have been linked in the past to Canucks Alex Edler and Coyotes Keith Yandle. 5. Andrey Vasilevskiy – Vasilevskiy’s KHL deal expires on Wednesday and they want to get him signed and bring over to North America before the start of next season.
- Steven Marcus of Newsday: Islanders owner Charles Wang isn’t sure if he wants to sell team, but Gary Bettman said there is interest from potential buyers.
“There’s lots of interest being expressed,” Bettman said Thursday. “He’s listening. But he hasn’t made a firm decision to sell.”
Wang’s statement on March 28th.
“In recent months, there have been numerous expressions of interest in the purchase of the New York Islanders. As I have consistently stated, I have been and remain willing to listen. However, potential buyers expressions of interest in the team or even my listening to them does not mean that any deal will be reached.”
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “When it comes to Trotz he’s such a great coach. He’ll find a spot. There are some rumblings that a decision in Van will happen soon.” … HS doesn’t have exact quote but Dreger said that Trotz could end up in Vancouver, replacing John Tortorella. He also said not to count out the Maple Leafs either. Leafs GM Dave is scouting in Finland and when he returns, he’ll meet with Brendan Shanahan to address the Maple Leafs coaching situation.