- Craig Custance of ESPN: With this year’s draft not having many “NHL ready” players, some GMs will be looking for immediate help via the trade route.
“I do think there’s more based on the conversations I’m having. I think there should be more things happening. There’s just fewer players available in free agency. Therefore, as you set up a team for next year, you’re going to have to make some deals,” Maloney said. “Nobody is sitting here and saying, ‘Let’s wait until July 1 and fill two or three holes.’”
There are seven new GMs who may be wanting to make a splash.
“You know the personalities,” Maloney said. “You kind of knew with George McPhee and Darcy Regier and Ray Shero what they’re looking for. They all made deals. I can’t tell you what the new guys are going to do. It’s interesting.”
Notes from the draft combine:
Panthers GM Dale Tallon said he’s talked with at least six teams with legitimate offers for the No. 1 pick. He’s is no rush to name a head coach.
Panthers assistant GM Paul Fenton said they won’t be a Shea Weber trade this offseason: “ going nowhere,” Fenton said. “Might as well keep it simple. Everybody likes to play fantasy hockey or something. That’s all.”
There is the belief that Islanders GM Garth Snow is not done with his lineup as they are keeping their 2014 pick and sending their 2015 draft pick to the Sabres.
- Gare Joyce of SportsNet: Sources saying that several teams are actively pursuing trades with the Panthers and Sabres about the top two picks in the draft. One scout,
“The going price to move up into those spots would be picks — a high first and a second or third — and an established player that helps your top two lines.”
- Harvey Fialkov: Goaltending will be a low priority for the Panthers at the 2014 NHL draft. The Panthers could use some right wingers and there are a couple international options at the top, William Nylander and Kasperi Kapanen.