On the New York Islanders …
Chris Johnston: Islanders center John Tavares said he’d be open to talking contract extension with the team this offseason and added “I’m excited about where the organization is headed.”
Arthur Staple of Newsday: (mailbag) Asked about what moves could be made between now and the start of free agency that could help their cap situation going into next season. Buying out Jaroslav Halak could save them a couple million next year. They could look trade someone who will be entering the final season of their deals: Justin Bailey, Nikolay Kulemin, Ryan Strome and Thomas Hickey. Hickey could be claimed in the expansion draft. The Islanders will have a lot of money coming off the books after next season.
Haven’t heard much regarding the Islanders and Thomas Greiss‘ camp talking contract.
Think that it will be a quiet trade deadline for the Islanders. The Avalanche want a lot for Matt Duchene, with many GMs thinking it’s more of an offseason move.
On the Colorado Avalanche …
Adrian Dater: Sources said that the minimum it would take to trade for Matt Duchene or Gabriel Landeskog is a young, established defenseman and a first round pick.
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: The Bruins scouting staff met on Thursday in Boston. The Bruins play last week has quieted some trade talk and Claude Julien‘s future with the team.
“The speculation is driven by the media. They don’t have the sources that they may claim,” said Marchand. “You know, that’s not going to happen if they do their jobs. Claude isn’t the issue. You fire the coach, what do you do? It’s not going to change anything. Claude’s one of the best coaches of the game, and that’s not the answer for this group.”