- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals coach Barry Trotz has been accused in the past of clashing with players from Russia. The Caps have three Russians, including Alex Ovechkin. Trotz has said that he’ll have to sit down with Ovechkin to get to know him before he could get him to play the style he wants.
“It can’t happen until I have a relationship with him because there’s no trust,” Trotz said. “For me, Alex has to trust that I’m giving him the best advice for the team, for him, to grow his game.”
Trotz on drafting Russians and the treat of the KHL.
“They have options over there,” Trotz said. “You want your whole foot in the water if you’re going to play in the National Hockey League.
“I don’t want your toe. If you’re just going to put your toe in the water … A couple Russian players have come over and they don’t put their whole foot in the NHL sometimes, and that holds them back.
“… If it’s just about the money, then probably the KHL is a better option.”
- News 1130 Sports: The Canucks were interested in Peter Mueller two years ago, but GM Jim Benning has let Mueller’s agent know that they are not interested this time around.
- James Mirtle: Brendan Shanahan will look to revamp the Maple Leafs scouting department next. No reason they shouldn’t have one of best.
- News 1130 Sports: David Booth said that he talked with several teams, but he couldn’t pass up playing close to home in Toronto.
- Dan Rosen: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said that they don’t have an analytics guys yet, “but yet is the key word.” Babcock said that they “will for sure” add one and that he’s a fan of it.