- TSN Insider Trading: Darrren Dreger: Don’t expect any decisions on Dave Nonis and/or Randy Carlyle to made in the near future.Dreger: Safe bet is that Paul Maurice will be back in Winnipeg next season.
Pierre LeBrun: There haven’t been any talks between the Ted Leonsis and GM George McPhee. No decision has been made, but there could be a change in GM for them.
The Panthers may look for a more experienced coach, and if Randy Carlyle is fired by the Leafs, he could be high on their list.
- Pierre LeBrun of EPSN: LeBrun wonders if a KHL will try to lure Alex Ovechkin this summer or in the next few years. When asked about it, KHL president Alexander Medvedev said through a spokesman:
“Per the terms of our memorandum of understanding with the NHL as it relates to respecting player contracts, Ovechkin would only be free to join a KHL club if he negotiates his way out of his existing contract with the Washington club. Should that situation come to pass, I have no doubt there are KHL clubs who would have interest in his services.”
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: (mailbag) Capitals owner will conduct a “comprehensive review” before deciding if he’ll extend GM George McPhee. Gormley doesn’t see the Capitals moving Alex Ovechkin. Can’t see Leonsis letting a GM trade Ovi, even if he’ll make $10 million until he’s 35. Gormley thinks Mike Green could be wearing a different jersey next season. The Capitals need to add a gritty top four defenseman this offseason. Do the Caps add someone like Brooks Orpik and play him with Green, or do they trade Green in a package to get a better D? The blueline free agent market is thin: Andrei Markov, Andrew MacDonald and Matt Niskanen. Mikhail Grabovski is believed to be looking for $5 million a season. If the Caps could get him at around $4 million, they might consider it.