Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “Couldn’t honestly tell you what final price was & if Shero/ownership backed off but the Penguins tried really hard to get Kesler” … “People criticize Shero for not trying to upgrade the Penguins team but he tried to get Kesler” … “I don’t believe Smith-Pelly was a guy that was involved in the Ana-Kesler talks. I’ve heard Rakell. Van wanted a centre”
Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: The Canucks need to trade Ryan Kesler and one of their defenseman as they look to retool. They need to fill the void in NHL ready prospects. Kesler gave the list of six teams, but only two were fits at the deadline, the Penguins and Ducks, but obviously a deal couldn’t be reached then. The Ducks had the better offer for Kesler, but the Canucks wanted a higher premium since they were trading within their division. The Ducks had offered the pick they received from Ottawa in the Bobby Ryan trade, which turned out to be 10th overall. If the Ducks had also been offering Devante Smith-Pelly and one of either Emerson Etem or Kyle Palmieri, the Canucks could regret it. Hard to see Smith-Pelley being available now.
Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Starkey thinks the Penguins just need a significant retooling and not a rebuild. The Penguins have three players making $5 million: Marc-Andre Fleury, James Neal and Paul Martin. They should try to trade Neal for Evander Kane. Trade Martin for forward help. Let Fleury play out the last year of his deal. Trading Neal for Kane would let them play Kane with Crosby and move Chris Kunitz to Evgeni Malkin’s left wing or even look to trade Kunitz. Starkey also thinks the Penguins should buyout Rob Scuderi.
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: The Avalanche could look at drafting Claude Lemieux’s son Brendan with the No. 23 pick at this year’s draft.
