On Ilya Kovalchuk …
Slava Malamud: SKA president on Ilya Kovalchuk: “We are waiting Kovalchuk’s decision. We love him, the city loves him, everyone wants him to play here.”
Aivis Kalnins: It’s looking like Kovalchuk may want to stay in the KHL after all. He wants to play for Russia in the Olympics. It’s not decided yet, but that is where it looks like it’s headed.
Aivis Kalnins: There hasn’t been word from Kovalchuk’s camp, but other KHL executives are convinced that he’ll stay in the KHL.
On the Philadelphia Flyers …
Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post: Flyers GM Ron Hextall was at the draft combine where they interviewed 70 prospects, including both Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick. The Flyers hold the No. 2 and will likely land one the of the two.
Hextall doesn’t think he’ll trade the No. 2 pick.
“We’ll listen. I’m not doing my job if I don’t listen,” he said. “You never know what’s gonna come along. As I said initially, I don’t anticipate trading the pick.”
There has been no progress on contract talks with free Jordan Weal who could interest the Vegas Golden Knights during their 72 hour free agent window later this month.
There is nothing imminent with Shayne Gostisbehere either and Hextall notes that he hopes to have a deal done by training camp.
Adam Kimelman: Flyers GM Ron Hextall anticipates that he’ll keep the No. 2 pick.
“I’ve said this a couple times, but we’ll listen. I’m not doing my job if I don’t listen. You never Know what’s going to come along. As I said initially, I don’t anticipate trading the pick but you never know what comes along. You gotta be open to making your franchise better. If something comes along that makes us better we’ll consider it. But I do anticipate making the pick.”