- Elliotte Friedman: Teams could be eyeing Coyotes Antoine Vermette, who has one year left on his deal. GM Don Maloney would like to sign to an extension.Have to think Ryan O’Reilly will follow Paul Stastny out of town. There is a $1.225 million salary gap in their arbitration filings, which is a less gap than what their contract talks were rumored to be.
Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom’s linemate may depend on who their second line center is. They want to move Tom Wilson up in the lineup. Braden Holtby is their No. 1 starter. The Caps are lukewarm on the idea of trading Mike Green. They want to see how he does in Barry Trotz’s system.
Shouldn’t be surprised if Christian Ehrhoff gets an extension after January 1st from the Penguins.
The Islanders offered Jarome Iginla a four year contract.
The Islanders will give Brock Nelson a shot with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo.
The sale of the Islanders may have hit a snag last week.
The Oilers are still looking for a center as they don’t want to rush Leon Draisaitl.
Justin Schultz and Jake Gardiner could sign bridge deals.
The Flames continue to tell teams they can take on players with a tough cap hit. The Flames would like adjust their blueline. Dennis Wideman’s name has been out there. They may have looked at Cody Franson.
Rumors that the Canadiens asked the Maple Leafs about Joffrey Lupul. Sounding like the Leafs will keep him.
Talk from teams that Evander Kane may start the season on Winnipeg.
Canucks GM Jim Benning is concerned with their depth due to the heavy travel schedule. Benning on rumors that he is not a Chris Tanev fan: “I don’t know where this comes from. I’m a big fan of his, he made big strides last year.”
It’s thought that the Canucks and Oilers tried to trade for Blues Patrik Berglund. Berglund more likely to remain in St. Louis after the departure of Vladimir Sobotka.
Talk that the Blues tried to trade for Jason Garrison before he was dealt to Tampa Bay.
If Jason Spezza accepted the trade to Nashville, it would have been similar to what the Predators gave up for James Neal. (Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling)
Ales Hemsky will start the season with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Valeri Nichushkin could lineup with Jason Spezza.
Flyers GM Ron Hextall on Braydon Coburn rumors: “He’s a big man who can skate. Not surprised people ask about him.” Teams saying Flyers are looking at other options first.
If he doesn’t sign with the Blackhawks, the Bruins and Penguins could be favorites to land Kevin Hayes over the Panthers.
Dmitry Kulikov’s three-year contract with the Panthers may not mean trade rumors are over.
Teammate said that striping Joe Thornton of his captaincy may not force him out. Thornton got the “C” when they striped it from Patrick Marleau.
There has never been talks between the Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk’s agent, Jay Grossman, about returning.